Welcome to the How-to Author Series!
Featured How-to Author: Lee Lofland!
Post a comment today – and you may win:
POLICE PROCEDURE & INVESTIGATION: A Guide for Writers, 2007, by Lee Lofland
A Lecture Packet from me, Margie Lawson
A big Thank You to Lee Lofland for joining us today. He’ll drop by the blog several times to respond to posts.
Factoids and Funtoids about Lee Lofland:
Factoids:
- Police Procedure & Investigation -- Macavity Award Nominee for Best Mystery Non-fiction
- Police Procedure & Investigation -- a Writer’s Digest Bestseller
- Former police detective with two decades in law-enforcement
- Nationally acclaimed expert on police procedure and crime-scene investigation
- Consultant for bestselling authors, television, and film writers
- DEA Trained Intelligence Investigator
- Recipient of the
Funtoids:
- Lee’s uber-popular, informative and entertaining blog, The Graveyard Shift
Add -- The Graveyard Shift to your favorites! Check out the March 24th blog – Lee critiques police procedure from TV show Castle. www.leelofland.com/wordpress -- Beware – Lee’s blog is addictive!
- Lee’s website, http://www.leelofland.com/
- Lee is Keynoting and hosting A Writer’s Police Academy in Hamilton, Ohio, in April, 2009
Jeffery Deaver, International Bestseller:
"A masterpiece . . . Police Procedure and Investigation offers everything, I mean everything, an author--novelist or nonfiction--needs to know about law enforcement: from police headquarters and laboratories to crime scenes to courthouses to jails. And Author Lee Lofland pulls off another coup--he's managed to gives us this encyclopedia of information in a style that's crisp, concise and damn fun to read. "
Lee Lofland, Police Procedure & Investigation, 2007
ML: Could you share your top-five list of situations officers fear the most? Which one is at the top of your list – and why?
LL: Fear is a good word to use. I can’t think of a single officer who hasn’t been scared a time or two. But they do what they’re trained to do and then worry about it afterward.
Domestic violence calls top my list of dangerous situations. These are extremely volatile circumstances, and there are a few reasons why—tempers are high, kids and other family members are present, weapons are often in hand, or nearby, and pets are excited and sometimes aggressive as a result of the turmoil. It can be quite chaotic.
Normally, when officers respond to a call where violence is involved, the suspect has left the scene. In the case of domestic violence, both suspect and victim are usually on hand when officers arrive. The couples are often still arguing, and sometimes they’re still exchanging blows. It is very important to separate the two in order to hear both sides of the story, which is nearly impossible for a single officer to accomplish.
Then, after all is said and done, and the officer begins to place handcuffs on the abuser’s wrists,
he’s often attacked by the victim who suddenly realizes the spouse is going to jail. The hardest I’ve ever been struck (with a fist) was by a woman when I attempted to arrest her husband for beating her.
Other dangerous situations are vehicle stops, search warrant executions, crowd dispersals (bar fights, riots, etc.), and hostage situations.
ML: You open your awesome chapter on DNA with this line:
There are two sides to the DNA coin, and when tossed, it doesn’t always land heads up.
Could you tell us about a situation where improper DNA evidence was the reason a case was overturned?
LL: There are many, but one particular case that comes to mind is one where the lab technician simply mislabeled evidence, placing the wrong person’s name on the wrong evidence. Even after she realized her mistake she didn’t make the effort to change the names. The error was discovered, and amends were made, but only after an innocent person was arrested for a crime he didn’t commit.
ML: In your discussion about search warrants you describe the conditions under which a search warrant is issued. If an officer has a warrant and is searching the home of a suspect for a knife – is everything he finds in that home admissible? What about the suspect’s car in the driveway? What if the officer sees a bloody shirt on the floor of that car; is it admissible?
LL: It depends (That sounds like a typical legal answer, doesn’t it?). Search warrants are very specific. If an officer is searching a home for a knife, and she finds the knife in question lying beside the front door, she must stop the search immediately. Also, if the officer is searching for a large item, such as a stolen wide-screen TV set, she may not search in areas that couldn’t possibly contain the television. For example, she couldn’t look inside dresser drawers, or inside the pockets of clothing hanging in a closet. If she does look in those prohibited areas and discovers cocaine worth a trillion dollars, she couldn’t use the evidence in court. She, of course, would still seize the drug and have it destroyed, but would never win the case in court, because her search was illegal. She may even face a lawsuit for her actions.
In the old days, officers could get by with searching anything on the property, listed on the warrant or not, as long as they had a search warrant. Courts today normally want to see vehicles and outbuildings listed on the warrant. There must also be a very detailed description of the vehicles. The warrant can’t simply read “any cars on the property.” If officers have legal authority to be on the property and see evidence inside the car, then it’s fair game, because it’s in plain view.
ML: In Chapter 4, DETECTIVES, you describe undercover officers as being taught to lie. Can you share an undercover situation where you had to lie to save yourself or others?
LL: This is an easy question to answer. I was working an undercover drug operation with a multi-jurisdictional task force when I arranged to buy a large quantity of cocaine from a dealer in
The woman (Let’s call her Sally) and I drove to pick up a friend of hers who was a runner (someone who sells for the main dealer), and together we went to meet the “boss.” We pulled up in the yard and gave the okay signal, two short beeps on the horn followed by a longer one. Three of the boss’s heavily armed thugs came outside to make sure everything was all right. They made me get out of the car, patted me down, pulled up my shirt to check for wires, took off my shoes and earring (I had long hair, a beard, and a pierced ear) to check for hidden cameras, and they searched the car. During this process, a fourth man came outside to help with the “security screening,” which was much more thorough than those conducted by TSA.
My heart leapt into my throat when I saw the fourth man. I’d arrested him for narcotics possession a couple years prior. I knew he’d recognized me by the expression on his face. He also gave me a knowing wink. His partners in crime questioned me extensively, asking about where I lived, where I’d worked for the past ten years, my social security number, etc. The questioning was relentless, and I lied like a cheap rug the entire time. Sally held up well during her interrogation, too.
I passed the inspection and, surprisingly, the man I’d arrested never said a word about my identity. I made the buy and Sally, her friend, and I left. The next day, I made a point to look up the bad guy who’d kept my secret, which quite possibly saved my life. Sally’s too, probably. His reason for not outing me: He said he might need a favor from me someday. Believe me, I paid that debt, too. He’d earned himself one big get of jail free card.
ML: How effective are polygraphs? How often are they used?
LL: Polygraphs do work, and they’re very effective tools used for garnering confessions. They also let police officers know if they have the right suspect. They’re used more often than you think. You don’t hear about polygraph use much, since the results are not permissible as evidence in court.
ML: A routine traffic stop can be lethal for an officer. Could you share the dynamics of a traffic stop that lead to an officer being injured?
LL: Let me begin with the old cliché that there’s no such thing as a routine traffic stop. There’s not a more guy-wrenching feeling for an officer than to stop a car with dark, tinted windows, at night, in a rural area.
Form this image in your mind. Not a house or business for miles, and no moon. The only lights around are your headlights and flashing strobes (which are extremely eerie even on a good night), and the suspect’s headlights. Your radio crackles softly with that canned dispatcher voice as you approach the suspect’s car. The sound of bass thumping inside the car masks any talking or movement. You can’t see who, or how many people are waiting to ambush you. Is there someone inside the trunk with an automatic weapon? Of course, to make matters worse, the computers are down so the officer can’t check the license plates to see if the driver is wanted or the if the car is stolen. The only thing you can see in the windows is your own reflection. This, my friends, is an experience straight out of a Stephen King novel.
Officers should never, ever let down their guard. However, even the most cautious officers can quickly become victims. A perfect example of how quickly things escalate are the recent shootings in
ML: How do officers achieve maximum credibility when testifying in court?
LL: There’s a simple formula for achieving credibility in court—stick to the facts, use your notes, and never lie. Once an officer decides to stray to embellish a story, he’s done. A defense attorney will be all over him like a shark in the water. If an officer loses his credibility, he may as well start thinking about a career change, because that one’s over.
ML: What are some reasons for conducting a strip search? How is the strip search carried out?
LL: Strip searches are performed when officers suspect an arrestee of hiding contraband in a body cavity. Remember, officers are not medical personnel. They don’t put on rubber gloves and begin “fishing” expeditions. Normally, officers have the suspect:
- remove all his clothing
-open his mouth and lift the tongue
- open his hands and spread the fingers
- lift the feet, one at a time (to look at the bottoms)
- run his fingers through his hair (to dislodge foreign objects)
- they look in and behind the suspect’s ears
- raise the arms
- AND, then comes the ever famous, spread your cheeks, squat and cough.
If a search of body cavities is needed, a medical doctor conducts that, and a search warrant may be required.
ML: When were you in the most danger on the job? How did you handle your emotions at the time? Did you experience PTSD? If so, how did it impact you and for how long?
LL: Do we have enough space and time to answer this one? Let’s see, I’ve been shot at, cut, stabbed, knocked unconscious with a piece of lumber while attempting to arrest someone, spit on, slapped, hit, and more than once someone has called me ugly names. Now that really hurt!
Seriously, I’ve seen the business end of a weapon on more than one occasion. Each time was no less frightening than another. But I’m guessing you’re asking about the shootout I was in with a bank robber. At first, emotions were not a problem. It was much later when the PTSD symptoms began to arrive. The impact this event had on me was life changing. In fact, it’s the reason I finally decided to leave police work. I simply didn’t want to be placed in the same position again. I didn’t want to hurt anyone else.
How long did this affect me? Well, I no longer experience the symptoms of PTSD, but not a single day passes when I don’t think of that shootout and of the man I killed. I’m always trying to think of ways that I could have prevented that young man from dying. But there are none.
ML: Can you share what a hardwire write blocker is – and the circumstances under which a hardwire write blocker would be used?
LL: Trained forensics experts use the hardware write blocker when they’re examining a suspect’s computer. The device allows information to be transferred from the target computer onto a police computer without allowing any information to travel from the police computer back to the suspect’s computer. It’s like a one-way street for information. Files can leave, but they can’t come back. Neither can anything else. This process prevents cross-contamination of computer evidence.
ML: You wrote a very detailed chapter on DNA. You even describe the use of paper bags to store suspected DNA samples. What is the protocol now for DNA samples to be collected? What types of crimes?
LL: DNA testing used to be reserved for murder and sexual assault cases. Not anymore. Robberies, burglaries and other crimes are now solved using DNA evidence.
Evidence collection is key. Officers, detectives, and crime scene techs must all be trained to properly handle evidence of all types. Paper packaging is used for wet evidence, such as blood, saliva, and semen, because plastic bags create the perfect environment (a sort of mini greenhouse) for bacteria. And bacteria will absolutely degrade DNA.
ML: When writing about police procedures, what are three things writers usually get wrong? Any other tips for writers that you’re dying to share?
LL:
1) Police procedure
2) Police procedure
3) Police procedure
Seriously, I think many writers simply try too hard to get the facts right. I don’t think the public reads mysteries and thrillers to learn about PCR, DNA, and how much gunpowder is in a 9mm round. That’s what research books are for. But I do believe writers owe it to their readers to get the facts they do use, right.
It’s best to allow your facts to gently mingle with the rest of the story. Robert Crais did a fantastic job of this in his book The Watchman. Of course, the list of authors who are masters at the craft of mixing fact and fiction is long. Some (and I do mean only some) of those folks are:
James Lee Burke
Jeffery Deaver
J.A. Jance
Jan Burke
SJ Rozan
Joseph Wambaugh
Ed McBain
Laura Lippman
Chris Grabenstein
Reed Ferrell Coleman
Megan Abbott
Allison Brennan
Robert B. Parker
Any of the three Kellermans
Lee Child
PJ Parrish
Tess Gerritsen
Walter Moseley
Michael Connelly
Another huge mistake writers make is not doing their homework. Please, please, please do your research! Ask a cop. Ask an attorney. Ask a plumber if your story features something about a drain, or a faucet. But DO NOT use television as a research source. For example, I really like the show Castle, but the police procedure is quite often wrong.
For some reason, TV shows get away with improper procedure. Writers can’t. Readers just aren’t that forgiving.
For fun, I post a blog about the Castle show each Tuesday. In my blog post, I pick apart the things they’ve done wrong. I also point out the good things. It’s a great learning tool for writers.
If your story is set in
I have to plug the new Writers Digest Howdunit series. This new selection of books is a great foundation for all your police, forensics, and evidence research. And they’re all written by writers, for writers.
The books in the series are:
Book of Poisons (everything you need to know about killing your characters with poison).
Police Procedure and Investigation (my book)
Forensics for Writers (written by my good friend Dr. DP Lyle)
The next book in the series is a WIP, and it’s about weapons. This one is written by another good friend of mine, former ATF agent Sheila Stephens.
By the way, Sheila and I will be teaching workshops at the Writers Police Academy in Hamilton, Ohio, next month. I hope to see some of you there. It’s going to be a fantastic event!
ML: Lee – A
Thank you for answering my questions – and sharing your expertise, time, and wit.
Your Howdunit, POLICE PROCEDURE & INVESTIGATION, impressed me with the content and writing craft. Your on-the-scene stories hooked me. When I read your four-page piece on THE SHOOTER, I had a visceral response. That’s strong writing, especially for nonfiction. ;-)) Like Jeffery Deaver said, your nonfiction reads like a thriller!
FIVE SCRIBE BLOG READERS:
Now it’s your turn to ask questions. Lee will respond to your questions today until 8:00 PM Eastern Time. I’ll draw the two winning names at 9:00 PM Eastern Time – and post the winners on the blog.
Post a comment or question! Don’t miss your chance to win:
- A signed copy of POLICE PROCEDURE & INVESTIGATION
- A Lecture Packet from me, Margie Lawson
84 comments:
Lee,
Fantastic interview. I learned so much, and I did a lot of research with a police department. I was wondering if you could use Dispatch to check on a license plate number if you didn't have a computer. Or was this too risky, especially if you got a response from Dispatch when you were approaching the car and the occupants inside overheard it?
If you put a person in handcuffs (for detention purposes while you investigate), is that a pretty sure bet that ultimately they are going to be arrested, or are they sometimes released in the end? Or do you initially put them in handcuffs for officer safety?
Thanks for the wonderful information. I have to catch up with Graveyard Shift.
Darlene
Lee,
Thank you so much for such an interesting interview, I've added your book to my wish list!
I'm interested in knowing more about the less obvious PTSD symptoms- are there symptoms that are easily overlooked or attributed to some other cause?
Are officers routinely monitored or tested for signs of PTSD, or would this only happen if they'd been in a traumatic or extremely dangerous situation?
Thank you and best wishes
Ruth Dell
ruthdell[at]mweb[dot]co[dot]za
Wow, thanks for a wonderful interview, Lee!
No questions right now--I don't think my middle-grade fantasy will involve an officer.
Good morning, Lee, thanks so much for being here, and Margie, wonderful interview! Wow, everyone's up early today ;) As soon as I read about hardware write blocker. I've often seen our detectives working through a glass window, behind closed doors on computers. And your one-way comment sparked the questions from this writer (and naturally the muse). I assume this is done with a warrant and with the owner's full knowledge?
2) For brainstorming and future considerations: Could a non law enforcement person get his hand on this devise w/o the owner's knowledge and would something tip the owner off?
Thanks, Lee, and I appreciated very much your blog yesterday at Terry O'dell's. Wonderful compassionate account.
Darlene - That's how we used to check all driver's license and license plate numbers. We'd radio the information to dispatch and they'd "run" the plates for us.
We used 10 codes when we relayed the information, such as 10-27 for a driver's license check and 10-28 for a plate (registration) number. Likewise, the dispatcher relayed the results back using 10 codes. This system prevented us from alerting the driver and other occupants that we knew their status. For example, 10-99 was code for a wanted person/vehicle. Other officers knew to respond as backup when they heard the 10-99.
Many jurisdictions, especially smaller ones, still use that system, because they simply don't have the funds to equipment their vehicles with computer equipment.
Darlene - Sorry, I missed the second part of your question.
No, handcuffing someone for officer safety does not necessarily mean they'll be arrested. It's a tool used to protect the officer in a potentially dangerous situation while he sorts out the details - the bad guys from the not-so-bad guys.
Rannza - Officers aren't regularly screened for PTSD. Normally, the only psychological screening they undergo is during the initial hiring process.
I can't speak for every person who's suffered from PTSD symptoms, but I can say that every person reacts differently to stress. In my case, the symptoms started approximately a year after the incident, and the onset was actually quite subtle. My wife and I were walking my two police dogs when I noticed a faint, out-of-place odor - the smell I associate with circus elephants.
From that point on, I knew when severe anxiety was arriving, because I'd smell the elephants. You can imagine my wife's reaction that day during our walk when I asked, "Do you smell elephants?" :)
By the way, one of WIPs is called Smelling Elephants.
Magolla - Since you don't have any questions I'll just say, "Hi!"
Donnell - You always ask the tough questions! :)
Yes, examining someone's computer normally requires a warrant, unless it's abandoned property. Of course, the search could take place with the owner's permission, but that's a rarity.
Sure. Anything is possible. I'm sure that if you knew where to look you could purchase the equipment over the internet.
According to my computer guru and Graveyard Shift contributor, Sgt. Josh Moulin, any activity on a computer is traceable.
By the way, Josh (the commander of a high-tech crimes task force) is very writer friendly, and he's happy to answer questions.
Lee, thanks for the tip on Josh? Margie, are you on this or am I???
Lee, sorry to ask tough questions, you nail me when I don't get things right LOL. So here's a couple (and note) Darn it, I disqualify myself from Mr. Lofland's book or Margie's lectures -- how unfair is this ;)
You reiterated something in your answer to Darlene that you cuff the suspect for your officer's protection. Yesterday when I read your blog at Terry's you cuffed the young man you'd taken the shotgun from, and as a citizen I understood it, as a mom I had a visceral reaction to your placement of danger and to that young man's suffering. But that just goes to show you how much procedure is drilled into law enforcement. I'm curious how the young man's father reacted when he saw you bring his son out in cuffs?
Thanks for answering my computer question, and I'll stop hogging the guest lecturer ;)
Thanks so much for your willingness to share what it is like to be a policeman. I have a better understanding now of what my dad must have gone through and why he was most likely often in a bad mood!
Diana
www.pencildancer.com
Hi Lee:
Thanks so much for sharing your expertise. And thanks Margie, for doing the interview!
Here's my question. I'm looking for a way that DNA evidence in a murder was not discovered two years ago that it could be discovered now to exonerate an incarcerated man. Possible? Or are we too advanced now?
Donnell - When I handcuffed the suicidal young man it was as much for his safety as my own. Anyone who's just sat, for twenty or thirty minutes, with a loaded shotgun pressed against his chin, is a potential threat to everyone.
The father had worked in corrections for over twenty years. Handcuffs were a natural part of his life. Besides, he understood the danger and the need for the restraints.
All suspects should be handcuffed when they're transported in a police car. Yes, that's policy, but it's also the use of good common sense when you're dealing with folks who have tried to harm others, or themselves.
Those facts don't make any easier for family members who have to see a loved one escorted to the car in cuffs, but it's a necessary evil.
* I'll be happy to connect you with Josh. I'm not sure if he could devote an entire day to answering questions (he's a very busy crime-fighter), but I believe he'd give it a try.
Great interview! I don't write police procedurals, but you've said a couple things that I'll be using. If I don't win your book, I'm buying it.
Thanks so much, Lee first for the work you've done in law enforcement and, secondly, for all your information. I have the utmost respect for your profession, which is why men in law enforcement and the military are my favorite 'romance' heroes.
A a rape crisis counselor, we have our own protocol for dealing with the police, the victim, and the hospital.
Which leads to several questions: I think there is some sort of questionnaire before an officer can work with the sex crimes division. What characteristics would make a detective want to work in this division (it's certainly not safe), and/or is this work volunteer basis (which I doubt). And is there some sort of training to go through first for this division? You'd think I'd know, but I don't discuss personal business, if you know what I mean.
Incidentally, I would rather get a call from a sexual assault victim and provide counseling rather than dealing with protocol and the police even though I've done it for 17 years. I always fear doing something to mess up the evidence to make it invalid in court. So it'll be very interesting to read your book on rules you have to follow. So speaking of fear, does the fear of breaking protocol and 'losing it' during an arrest ever go away for you guys?
And to bombard you with a few general questions:
What kind of background usually does someone in law enforcement have---that is, what kind of character is he as a youth typically? And what sort of female is he usually attracted to?
Granted, these are probably stereotype questions I'm asking. And the same thing in reverse---if a female is the police officer, what sort of man would she be most attracted to (bypassing any physical attributes). Actually, in general, is there a physical type of female that male cops are attracted to--I understand this is not a personal preference. I asking if you've noticed a general trend.
I'm going to work now and won't be able to check back in until much later today. So I'll enjoy reading the questions and answers then, as well as from everyone else.
Sorry to any ladies who think I'm being gender specific with my questions. But I am.
Lee, are you teaching any classes regarding this? I know there's a class coming up in April called "A Cops LIfe from A - Z" and being put on by the Los Angeles Romance Authors. I'll have to check out your post on Castle.
Thanks so much for your time.
Gotta go,
Julie
Donnell:
I understand. I always have to disqualify myself from the giveaways on Petit Fours and Hot Tamales. Such a bummer!
Lee, hi! I pop over to The Graveyard Shift when I can, and am always intrigued!
You mentioned Smelling Elephants, and WOW. What a clue that something is off! Do officers in general have knowledge of PTSD symptoms so they might more readily recognize early signs of the disorder?
I do what you suggested when I have law enforcement questions - ask my local experts. They are amazing!
Margie, thank you for another awesome interview!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
Diana - I'm still in a bad mood! :)
Debbie - Believe it or not, this does happen, too often. And, sadly, sloppy police work, poor evidence collection, and poorly run or overworked laboratories are usually the culprits.
It's very believable to have police miss a key piece of evidence that's later discovered by your protagonist. That's reality. Now, getting your CSI-watching editor to go along with it...
Lee, so much information here, I'll have to print out the interview - and the comments. So many great questions, too. What I want to know, other than what you've already covered here (police procedure), what is your biggest pet peeve about the way writers (novel and/or script) portray officers and detectives in a story? And what can we do to get it right? And I'm with Edie - if I don't win it, I'm buying it.
Margay
Oh dear, I'm already breaking my word. But this is important ;)
Lee: will you please post links or tell us where we can buy ....
POLICE PROCEDURE & INVESTIGATION: A Guide for Writers, 2007, by Lee Lofland
Wonderful interview. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!
One question--if you entered a house and found a dead body...would that give you license to search the rest of the house?
Thanks!
Lee,
Thanks for taking time to do this. Great interview.
Have you ever worked in an area where the county attorney also acts as county coroner?
If he/she claims a victim's death to be accidental, can an investigation still be brought about by the police?
Enlightening interview - thank you for being available.
I have a question about an officer breaking protocol. Let's say an undercover agent breaks & enters looking for information and inadvertently finds proof of a crime - I'm aware that is inadmissable, but what kind of reprimand would the officer be subject to if he comes clean immediately with his supervisor.
Julie - Sometimes, officers/investigators are simply assigned to divisions without rhyme or reason. Others ask for the detail. Many times, officers are asked to complete questionnaires, or apply in writing for desired positions.
Compassion is a key trait for an officer who works in a sex crimes unit. There is specialized training for all divisions within law enforcement agencies, and that training is on-going.
Officers are trained (programmed might be the better term) to react to specific incidents. They’re trained through repetition. Sort of like how you train your pets to sit and stay. Therefore, fear doesn’t usually enter into the equation until after the danger is over.
The backgrounds of officers vary. However, there are a couple of common traits—they’ve wanted to be a police officer since they were children, and they’re a little bit on the crazy side…
As kids, officers were probably quite outgoing (introverts don’t survive very long in the business), they like sports, and they’re compassionate, average or above average students.
Officers are like every other person. They have varied interests, including what interests them in the opposite sex. I have noticed the trend of officers seeking total opposite personalities for prospective marriage/life partners. However, there are those who connect with other police officers. There’s no real rule of thumb.
But, there are the Badge Bunnies who throw a huge kink in the works. Ever heard of Badge Bunnies? That’s the nickname cops use to describe the women who chase badge-wearing men. Police academies even mention them, stressing the dangers of “fooling around” with Badge Bunnies during working hours.
I’m not speaking of a normal attraction. These folks are absolutely possessed. Shoot, I’ve seen them use their vehicles to try to stop an officer’s police car. They’ve even faked 911 calls, pretended to be suicidal…well, you get the idea.
I teach workshops at writers conferences all across the country. Also, I’m in the process of developing a Writers Police Academy that’ll be available on CD/DVD. I hope to have it ready this summer.
Nancy - In the old days officers were expected to ignore problems. "Real cops" didn't suffer from psychological difficulties. Now, things are different. Police academies do discuss signs and symptoms of problems encountered by officers.
Margay - Easy answer. I despise seeing writers portray an officer as an ignorant, bungling doofus. The truth really hurts!
Seriously, police officers today are highly trained, skilled people. In fact, most departments require all new hires to have a college degree. Many require a bachelors, at minimum.
The days of lazy,donut-eating cops are also long gone. Most of today's officers are very health conscious. They have to stay in shape to keep up with the criminals.
Peg - Yes, but only for safety purposes. The officer may conduct a search for people (suspects, co-conspirators) who may be hiding. A search for evidence would require a search warrant.
But I have to ask why the officer was in the first place.
Donnell - My book is available at all the usual online outlets and bookstores. It's also available from the Writers Digest Book Club. Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Howdunit-Book-Police-Procedure-Investigation/dp/1582974551/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221018515&sr=8-1
jessi - No, I've never worked under those conditions. But, if police were convinced a crime had been committed they could certainly make an attempt to build the case and then present it to the DA. However, it's up the DA as to whether or not to prosecute. Now, suppose the DA was the killer...
JETaylor - The officer would be subject to disciplinary action, which could be as severe as termination. He could also be subject to prosecution. Committing a felony while working (or any other time)is sort of frowned upon.
BUT (there's always a "however" when the law is involved)...it's legal move if the officer did this to prevent evidence from being destroyed, or to save a life.
Lee,
Thank you for the answer to my question and to all the other posts! What a great interview.
Jane (JET)
Since I have two copies of Lee's book, you don't need to include me in the drawing. Just had to drop by to say hi, and thank Lee for his story over at my blog yesterday. Great stuff here, as always!
Hi Lee:
Great interview! Can you tell me police policy on ‘hold out’ guns? Did you have one? Did you have to buy it yourself? Were there limitations on caliber? Did you have to qualify with your ‘hold out’ gun? Were you suppose to only use the term ‘gun’ for shotguns? (I was an AP in USAF).
Thanks,
Vince
Lee,
Thanks for the book recommendations. I'm off to buy the Book of Poisons. With the books on my shelf, I hope I'm never a suspect in a crime!
Melinda
Lee-sincerely appreciate the interview responses. I don't have any questions today, but I am looking forward to the CD/DVD Writer's Police Academy. Thanks so much for the information you've provided.
Deb Lorene
Great information. Thanks for providing this.
I work at a VA Hospital, and we see a lot of Vets with PTSD. While it's becoming more acceptable in the older guys to admit to having troubles, it seems the younger guys still place a stigma in admitting to PTSD symptoms. I've heard many of them describe all the classic symptoms (and I have even met a few who have smell associations like you, and I find it fascinating), yet refuse to admit it's a problem.
Do you see the same thing with officers? Is the stigma still there for some of them, even if it is lessening? Is there an age gap like with the Vets I see?
Thanks again for taking the time to share your experiences.
Liz
Lee, thanks for the great interview. Can you talk about any new advances in fingerprint taking? What objects and materials can they be lifted from?
Hi Lee! Thanks for the kudos. I try hard to get it right, but I know I don't always nail it. My personal threshold is if it's plot critical, it has to be right. If it's not plot critical (like how fast I get DNA results which it's not instrumental to the overall plot) then I might fudge. And my crimes are generally solved in 3-7 days, though in Fatal Secrets I made a point of mentioning that this was a two year investigation at the beginning of the book.
I think your comment: "It’s best to allow your facts to gently mingle with the rest of the story" is absolutely right. When in doubt, leave it out. One of my closest friends is married to a retired cop and I use them both. She told me one of the biggest mistakes is when writers put in too many details trying to "get it right" and it's boring and usually not right.
Though I have a funny story. I had two emails a day apart, one from a civilian employee in the FBI who said I'd "nailed" it, and another from a retired federal cop (don't know which agency) who said I was totally off. On the same book. :)
BTW, I have all the books you mentioned and use them often.
Wow! So much great information. Thank you! Your book is definitely on my To Be Bought list!
Vicky Burkholder
Terry - Your blog was a lot of fun. Thanks for having me, and for allowing to tell one of my stories.
Vince - I'm not sure what you mean by holdout gun. Are you referring to the extra weapon sometimes carried by police officers? If so, the extra weapons are often carried in ankle holsters (I didn't like carrying a second weapon). Yes, officers must qualify with each weapon they carry.
We called shotguns, shotguns.
Melinda - The Poisons book is overflowing with great information.
Loree - I'm looking forward to finishing the CD. It's a lot of work. Writing a book might be a little easier!
Liz - The police culture nearly prohibits officers from seeking help for PTSD. In fact, the day I shot and killed the bank robber I wasn't even allowed the rest of the day off. But later that night, my chief stopped by my house to say that real cops don't have problems with shooting people. I was never offered counseling of any type. I finally found a doctor on my own.
Allison - Well, let me say here in this forum that you do usually nail your police procedure. And you know why she does, folks? Because Allison does a tremendous amount of research. She's like Jeffery Deaver. He researches for six months or so before he ever puts the first word on paper. Incredible!
Vicky - A thank you for buying my book is on my To Be Said list. :)
Lee, great interview. Your book is on my 'to-buy' list. I loved that you mentioned Tess Gerritsen and Allison Brennan as getting it right. They are two of my favorite authors for using enough police procedure to sound like they know what they are talking about but not so much I feel like I'm studying for a test.
Jill - Tess is another author who really pours herself into research. And she, like the others I mentioned, knows the perfect recipe for mixing fact and fiction. A sprinkle here and there of the right ingredient goes a long way.
Have you read The Bone Garden?
Wow, wow! This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing.
I do have a question about the hardware write blocker. I have a heroine (an FBI consultant) who is sneaking into a business so that she can get their accounting department's info to transfer to her computer as well as their so they won't suspect anyting, but she can investigate. Would she use a hardware write blocker? Or is this reserved for the computers that are confiscated during searches?
Once again, thank you both for the wonderful interview.
Pammer
Lee,
Thank you for sharing your expertise. A question: In my WIP, an amateur sleuth discovers evidence that provides a motive for murder. The victim's death was declared an accident two months before. What will a police officer say to her when she reports her suspicions? Thank you--
Chris
Lee,
Thanks for quick response earlier. You've had a busy day. Hmmm...The DA as the killer??? Interesting....
Hi Lee! My question has to do what evidence an officer must have to issue a ticket. If a person accused another of hitting her car, and didn't report the incidence until the next day when she saw the car in a parking lot, would an officer be able to issue any tickets on the say so of that individual. Say there was damage on that car but no paint evidence. Also, would the officer be allowed to search the car, if he thought he saw something on the floor, and find evidence leading to something more serious? How sure would he have to be to do so? Thanks in advance!
Fascinating interview Lee and Margie!
Excellent interview. Thanks for sharing your stories.
Pammer - That particular device is used to prevent cross-contamination of evidence. It's not a cloaking device. So, no, probably not.
Chris - Officers would probably say thank you, and that's about it, other than to ask why the sleuth was poking around a crime scene. The sleuth just might find herself at the top of the suspect list (in real life) for a while.
jessi - Interesting indeed.
LauraLee - Hmmm...Sounds as if this may be a real-life situation. Before I answer I'd suggest contacting an attorney. :)
You've touched on an area of the search and seizure laws (vehicle searches) that kind of bend the rules.
Officers MAY make warrantless searches of automobiles which were in motion, or were at least mobile when seized. But, they must also have probable cause to believe contraband or evidence of a crime are within that vehicle.
However, officers must conduct this search as soon as possible.
And, this law allows searches of the entire vehicle and its contents, including closed containers, luggage, etc. This also includes the belongings of all passengers, but not the passengers themselves. Now, the law is a little fuzzy about searching a passenger's belongings if the item is being held by the passenger (Such as a purse).
In your case...things sound a little iffy, but I'd have to have more to go on to make a determination. Most patrol officers have enough experience with auto accidents to recognize damage on one car that matches the damage on the one that struck it.
Emma - Stories? I've got a million of them. I wish I had the time and space to tell one.
Here's the link to a story I wrote for The Lipstick Chronicles blog. If you're easily offended by real-life stupidity, I'd suggest not reading the piece. However, if stories about cops, sex, farm animals, and two guys named Bubba sound like a good read, then go for it. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
http://thelipstickchronicles.typepad.com/the_lipstick_chronicles/2007/08/takin-bacon.html
Lee, Fascinating interview, I'm sure you could go on and on with the stories. Margie thanks for bringing Lee to the Scribes!
Lee, this might seem like a silly question, but are there police officers who specialize in dealing with pedophiles and sex offenders?
And if a sex offender moves into your jurisdiction and doesn't register, what could be the possible consequences? I'm certain it's different state-to-state.
Is there a state or several, that are known to have more pedophiles than others?
Thanks,
Theresa
Great interview Margie and Lee.
The one thing mentioned that stood out the most to me was your warning against using television as a source of facts.
I'm married to a police officer, and I learned very quickly that television shows were not the source for correct (or even likely) police policies or procedures.
My poor hubby has spent more than his fair share of time correcting the many incorrect facts about police work I’d garnered from various programs- LOL.
Lee, yes I've read the Bone Garden. I get all of Tess's books in hardcover as soon as they come out.
Theresa - Yes, there are officers who specialize in sex crimes.
Sex offenders are required as part of their sentencing to register with the local police. If they don't they're sent back to prison. The same is true for drug offenders. They, too, are required to register with local police.
In some areas, failing to register as a sex offender is actually a separate crime.
I'm not sure if there's any one state that leads the other in the number of sex offenders per capita.
La-Tessa - I like your husband already! Does he watch cop shows? I can't.
jilljames - Tess was kind enough to write a nice blurb for my book.
Lee,
Thanks for the great interview. It was very informative. I don't have any questions, just wanted to say that your book has been very helpful as well. It was recommended to me when I was doing some research a few months ago. It now sits on my research shelf. :-)
Thanks again,
Kaycee
Kaycee - Thanks for the note. If you ever have questions that aren't answered in the book feel free to call on me.
Love your sense of humor, Lee. Thanks for the detailed answers not just for my questions but others. I'll have to print everything out!
I too despise cops portrayed as country bumpkins. Being from Louisiana, my pet peeve is the stereotype dumb southern deputy with a horrible twang that sounds nothing like a Cajun accent.
So by trend of opposite personalities, would that be non-sports and introverted? I supposed it would provide a more relaxing atmosphere for home.
I have never heard of Badge Bunnies, but it sounds creepy---like stalkers.
I'll be looking for your CD/DVD in the future. Sounds like a wonderful reference.
Margie, thanks for having Lee. I have been a lurker in your ongoing EDITS class.
Julie
Lee,
Just thinking of a Badge Bunny villain. What kind of women are these---in general? I'm kind of embarrassed to ask but do these women actually have sex with the cops just for the thrill. I mean, what attracts them to the cop? The uniform? the gun? the challenge?
I could see that married cops who get physically involved with these women could really mess up their committed relationship. But I guess the easy availability would be tempting? (thinking Fatal Attraction here). I guess these women would be like rock band groupies?
Thanks again. I know I ask a lot of psychoanalytical questions. But I want to understand the reasoning behind actions or behaviors. Though probably sometimes people are just nuts :-)
Julie
Great interview! I have the book and will be featuring it at the end of the week at one of my blog sites. Thanks for all the good information, Lee.
Julie - My wife and I good examples of opposites attracting. She's a PhD microbiologist (a very successful mad scientist), and I'm the average ex-cop/musician/writer/martial arts type guy. I like to read and she likes to make spreadsheets. She's a genius and I'm, well, I think you've seen enough today to know I'm no genius.
I agree, fake southern accents make my skin crawl.
Badge Bunnies are a little like stalkers. Yes, it is creepy to have people sitting across the street watching your house all night, or showing up in every store you visit on Saturday. Notes on your windshield, cards in the mail from people you don't know, a car following you around while you're on patrol. I'll have nightmares tonight. Thanks a lot! Oh, I didn't mean that I'd know anything about them...
Oh, and I guess by opposite, that could include a non-risk taker?
Okay, I'll quit asking questions now.
Julie
Jean Henry Mead - I'm looking forward to the blog. Thanks for inviting me to join your star-studded list of guest bloggers.
Julie - Yes, I believe sex is the goal these folks have in mind. :)
Unfortunately, many careers have been ruined by this type behavior. I'm talking sex while on duty, in police cars, jails, police departments, evidence rooms, etc. Cops covering for other cops, wives sleeping with their husband's partners. The list is probably endless. This is stuff no one would believe unless you're in the business and see it for yourself. Yep, your tax dollars at work.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a psychologist, such as Dr. Katherine Ramsland, on the Scribes one day. She's a leading expert on serial killers and the CSI effect, but she's also very familiar with law enforcement and the cop mindset.
Oh, good point. My wife is basically a non-risk-taker, and I'm the type who runs into gunfire, not away from it.
Hey, Lee, loved the pig story. What a perv! You can't make stuff up like that.
Okay, I have a question. If a person dies in a gas leak explosion and the ME notices signs of a possible poisoning, would they just get samples from the body and allow the family to bury it, or would they hold on to it? If so, for how long?
Thanks in advance. BTW, I love Castle, so I'm heading over to your blog to check it out. I'm a nurse, so I understand your frustration. When I watch the medical shows, I go crazy. I love the ER doctors who perform the heart transplants!!
Liz - They'd probably hang on to the body as long as necessary, just in case. But, after retrieving tissue and other samples they could release it. They try to make things as easy on the family as possible without ruining their case.
I personally love the detectives who dig around the innards of dead bodies. Or the ones who take rectal temperatures at crime scenes. Sorry, but (no pun intended) that wasn't part of my job description!
Great interview! My question is; how would an officer handle a hostage in a hospital situation? The scene is the patient has taken the doctor hostage in the emergency room. Do the police work with internal security or do they take over upon arrival. And what would be their first step?
Donna - The police would be in charge. Normally, hospital security officers are not sworn police officers. And, they're probably not equipped to handle anything of such a serious nature.
Actually, I've trained many hospital security officers in defensive tactics. I've also trained other security professional, including personal and executive bodyguards (I was a defensive tactics instructor and instructor trainer at a police academy for many years).
Sure wish I could make that conference, Lee. I know it will be awesome.
Melanie - I wish you could, too. I know you'd have a blast! I'm pretty excited about this one, and that says a lot since I normally speak at over a dozen conferences each year.
I did just accept an invitation to speak at another conference in Columbus, Ohio, in November. This is a Sisters in Crime event. But the Writers Police Academy is going to be a hoot. Imagine, hands on training for writers. Tours of the morgue, handcuffing, arrest techniques, fingerprinting, and much, much more.
Lee,
I shall have to look for Dr. Ramsland's name regarding future classes/events. Thanks for answering everything---that I can think of for now :-)
I'd love to go to that Writers P.A., if I could handle the morgue, etc.
Julie
Yes Lee, he LOVES cop shows.
He has two groups: the ones he watches for fun and to get a good laugh at the stuff they make up (namely the sitcoms-- CSI, NCIS, any other CSI-like show).
Then he has his "real life" cops shows, like COPS (which I HATE by the way,)First 48 Hours, anything on court tv, or crime tv, or-- I'm sure you get the jist :-)
He drives me crazy with them. I accuse him of trying to get on the job training- LOL
Julie - The morgue tour is optional.
La-Tessa - I don't watch any of those shows unless I know someone who's going to be on (the good guys).
In fact, don't watch much TV. Well, I do watch Castle, and I love The Big Bang Theory on Monday nights.
Thanks for a great mini workshop, Lee, and for everyone's great questions, which I wouldn't think to ask. I am truly amazed/appalled at some of the things I learned today. Sheesh, some people! And I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg. Don't mean to bring on any nightmares :-)
Also thanks for the intro to the Graveyard Shift. I did not know about this site.
Nite,
Julie
Lee --
What a full and fully informative blog day. Great questions, great responses.
It's clear that everyone wanted a piece of your brain. And they got it!
You mentioned your friend, Doug Lyle, MD, author of one of the Howdunit books for writers, FORENSICS. Doug Lyle will be featured on my How-to Author Interview series in August.
Thank you again for sharing your expertise and your experiences. We appreciate you!
I encourage everyone to vist your blog, THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT. www.leelofland.com/wordpress.
Following your police procedural blog is a healthy addiction. :-))
FYI: I'll announce the names of the two winners in the next e-mail.
Best..........Margie
www.MargieLawson.com
I really enjoyed my time here today. Thanks for allowing me the time to ramble.
Please do stop by The Graveyard Shift. I'd love to stay in touch with each of you.
It's been fun!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TWO WINNERS:
DEBBIE KAUFMAN
Won Lee's book:
POLICE PROcEDURE & INVESTIGATION
JEAN HENRY MEAD
Won a Lecture Packet
from Margie Lawson
DEBBIE and JEAN: Please contact me: Margie@MargieLawson.com
Thank you to the Five Scribes for hosting my How-to Author Series!
The featured How-to Author for April is:
Brandilyn Collins,
GETTING INTO CHARACTER:
Seven Secrets Novelists Can Learn from Actors
See you in April!
All smiles..........Margie
www.MargieLawson.com
Congrats Debbie and Jean!
Julie
Congratulations to the winners.
Stay in touch, guys! Feel free to contact me if you have any new, or follow-up questions from yesterday.
My email address is lee@leelofland.com. Be sure to put Five Scribes in the subject line so I'll recognize you as friends, not foes. I receive well over 1,000 emails each day.
Thanks again for the wonderful time yesterday.
Great interview Lee. I learned so much! I have a question I hope you can help me with-
My herione is being stalked, phone calls, notes, gifts, etc. At what point would a police detective become involved and what would they do? Record calls? Check notes, gifts etc. for finger prints? Who would they question & what kind of questions would they ask? Would they put the victim under servailance if the stalker became more aggressive/violent? How much more interest would they have if the victim was a friend of a friend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
thank you for your answer to my question, Lee. I also just found out she most likely wouldn't be a consultant either, so it's back to the plotting board for me. I guess I have to get her into some real trouble. LOL.
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