Author Jennifer Chase

Forensics in the News

Posted on February 13, 2012 by jchasenovelist

With the advancements in computer technology today, many improvements have been made in the law enforcement community for police related investigations. The technology hasn’t caught up to the fascinating and lightening speeds of popular television shows, but nonetheless there are some amazing forensic developments. It is good news for us, but bad news for the criminals.

Can we solve more crime, conduct better criminal investigations in a timely manner, and close more cold cases with computer technology?

Here are three interesting areas of computer forensics:

DIGITAL EVIDENCE

Data found on many digital devices such as computers, laptops, digital cameras, cell phones, flash drives, and game units could have powerful evidentiary value in any type of investigation.

Show intent to commit a crime or a premeditation of a criminal act.
Support or disprove information and statements from a witness, victim, or suspect.
Expand an investigation revealing other crimes and/or suspects.
Used in directly related offenses.
Used as a means of data mining (exporting large amount of data from cell phones or emails) for investigators to create a diagram of a criminal enterprise or a timeline of events.

FIGHTING CRIME WITH HIGH-TECH

It was the digital forensics specialists that cracked the encryption of an al-Qaida supporter. According the FBI, steganography was used to hide invisible messages. FBI examiners can recover encrypted files, deleted files, and passwords with special computer tools that assault a hard drive with 500 million guesses per second.

In 2010, the FBI’s Regional Computer Forensics Laboratories are effective law enforcement crime fighting tools. The agency has 14 labs, 214 examiners, and has processed more than 3,000 terabytes of information (equivalent to 3 million copies of Encyclopedia Britannica).

FINDING MISSING AND UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS

NamUs is an online database and offers a quick search to check for missing persons by the 40,000+ sets of unidentified remains that wait patiently in the medical examiners offices across the nation. In 2010, this database was only used by a fraction (about 15%) of law enforcement agencies. Before NamUs, investigators were bogged down by the slow process of checking each medical examiner’s offices one by one.

NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems) is an easy application to use. It has been designed for anyone including families and police. It allows for data entry of descriptions, photos, fingerprints, dental records, and DNA. The medical examiners can enter the same information of the unidentified bodies allowing searches of the database for potential matches. Many cases have been solved that would have remained cold and unsolved.

It is my hope that these high-tech applications, digital databases, and the forensic experts can help to catch more criminals and solve more cold cases.

* * *

In my award-winning, thriller novel Dead Game, I used technology as the backdrop to create a serial killer that tracks his victims by the high-tech devices they use. Only known as Samuel, his voyeuristic style offers him a way of enjoying the kills over and over again on his computers.

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/

Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase

Books: Compulsion Dead Game Dark Mind Silent Partner Screenwriting

Posted in Dead Game, Forensic | Tagged author jennifer chase, computer forensics, crime thriller, dead game, digital evidence, NamUs | 2 Comments

Out & About Magazine — February 2012

Posted on February 12, 2012 by jchasenovelist

It’s that time again! Out and About Magazine has hit the stands in California and around the central coast. It’s filled with great articles and some fun things to see and do during the month of love. It features the “Who do you love?” theme.

My column on pages 48-49 features my book review of The Dark Tide by Andrew Gross. You will also find some helpful crime safety tips too.

To view this magazine online: Digital Version of Out & About Magazine

* * *

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/

Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase

Books: Compulsion Dead Game Dark Mind Silent Partner Screenwriting

DARK MIND: Latest Emily Stone Thriller

“Outstanding new offering of psychological thrills.”

“Awesome thriller!”

Posted in Writing | Tagged andrew gross, author jennifer chase, book review, dark mind, out and about magazine, the dark tide | Leave a comment

Brave Georgia Girl Fights Off Would-Be Abductor

Posted on February 11, 2012 by jchasenovelist

My latest novel, Dark Mind, opens with the depiction of a girl who has been abducted and taken far from home as part of an international child sex trade operation. As scary as that fictional account may be, real stories of children who find themselves in danger are certainly more terrifying on a scale that cannot even be measured. Many of you have read or heard about the attempted child abduction in a Walmart in Georgia, which offers both details of horror and relief.

Seven-year-old Brittney was allowed to stay in the toy aisle while her mom left for a minute to add some strawberries to their shopping cart. While alone, she was approached by a man who engaged her in conversation and then grabbed her and headed toward the exit.

Surveillance video of the incident shows that Brittney did exactly as she had been taught. She did not stop screaming and kicking until the man finally gave up and put her down. Police later arrested Thomas Woods for the attempted abduction, a man who was just recently from prison several months ago after serving more than four years for a voluntary manslaughter conviction. He maintains his innocence, stating that he was not even in the store.

First, I want to congratulate this young girl for screaming, kicking, crawling . . . anything she needed to do to free herself from this man who surely meant her harm. As frightening as this instance is, I am glad to see that the efforts of our teachers and parents to explain safety measures to kids worked here.

I do have a question or two, though. How long was the girl screaming before the man let her go, and did any adult rush to her aid during that time? If any of us sees a child in danger, I hope that we would not hesitate to get involved. Also, at what age is it appropriate to leave a child unattended in a store? I am not asking this to put the blame on the mother; the criminal here is the man who tried to abduct Brittney. But, I am curious to know what you think or how you handle public outings with your kids. At what point can they shop or browse alone? Maybe it would be different with a group of friends or siblings all together?

Let me know how you’ve reacted to this story, as I know it’s one that has stirred plenty of emotion.

* * *

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/

Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase

Books: Compulsion Dead Game Dark Mind Silent Partner Screenwriting

Posted in crime, Dark Mind | Tagged author jennifer chase, child abduction, crime safety, dark mind, georgia, walmart attempted abduction | 6 Comments

Man Who Targeted Homeless Now Accused of Killing Family Friends

Posted on February 9, 2012 by jchasenovelist

Last month, I posted a piece about an assumed serial killer who was targeting homeless men in California. Just a day after the article went up on my blog, the suspected murderer was arrested and identified as 23-year-old Itzcoatl Ocampo. He was chased down by a brave citizen who was alerted to an attack of a homeless man in progress. And, the information that has come to light since Mr. Ocampo has been behind bars continues to be shocking.

While we may assume that serial killers have a “favorite” type of target, whether that is teenage girls, prostitutes, runaway boys, the stereotypical notion of women who remind the criminal of his mother or, in this instance, homeless men, sometimes their victims offer no apparent pattern whatsoever. The D.C. sniper shootings that terrorized the greater Washington area in 2002 is an example of that—random men, women, and even a boy approached as target practice while out doing everyday tasks. It turns out that Itzcoatl Ocampo doesn’t focus his violent attacks just on the homeless population, either.

Ocampo is now being charged with the murders of Raquel Estrada and her son Juan Herrera, the latter of whom being the brother of one of Ocampo’s high school friends. So, Ocampo’s brutal killings extend to people with whom he shared long-standing relationships. He had been to Ms. Estrada’s home many times. But, this familiarity and the bonds of friendship did nothing to stop him from committing murder. Together, the mother and son were stabbed more than ninety times.

Itzcoatl Ocampo remains in custody and now faces charges of murdering five individuals. This Iraq War veteran, who served with the Marines until July 2010, will learn what comes next in his case at his arraignment on February 17.

In reading about this case and seeing some of the comments attached to the articles, I’ve noticed there are those who are quick to judge the military and the role they played in creating the psychological problems that Ocampo may be harboring. But, let’s be careful in making these accusations and remember this is one disturbed individual who callously snuffed out five lives. Ocampo won’t see the outside of a prison again if found guilty of these crimes.

* * *

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/

Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase

Books: Compulsion Dead Game Dark Mind Silent Partner Screenwriting

Posted in Criminology, Serial Killers | Tagged author and criminologist jennifer chase, crime thrillers, criminal psychology, Itzcoatl Ocampo, multiple homicides, serial killers | 2 Comments

Participating in the Fourth Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign

Posted on February 8, 2012 by jchasenovelist

Writers Rock! I really mean it! It’s been wonderful networking with people and meeting writers and readers alike. I’m very excited to participate in the Fourth Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign hosted by Rachel Harrie. I’m glad that I found Rachel Harries’ blog, Rach Writes. I’ve also found out that the previous campaigns were very successful with a large turnout of writers and success stories.

Let’s face it, it’s a big world out there. Networking together is invaluable and a must for new as well as established writers and bloggers. I’m looking forward to see what happens during this campaign. I love the concept of pay it forward! Count me in!

Come join me at the Fourth Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign.

Posted in Writing | Tagged author jennifer chase, crime thriller, emily stone series, fourth writers platform building campaign, networking, writing | 8 Comments

Revved up and Writing to Go!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by jchasenovelist

There is nothing more exciting for a writer as when it’s time again to embark upon that novel journey. I’ve been letting the writing juices simmer a bit before jumping into my new book, but now I’m rearing to go. I’m one of those authors (I think I’m in the minority) that spends the time to put together an outline for my entire book. It actually ends up being the choppy first draft of the novel.

Outlining definitely isn’t an “all work and no play”format. It can be quite fun and exciting to see the entire story in front of you.

Why do I spend the time on a complete outline?

For me, it’s a way that I can see the entire picture of my novel in one snapshot. It’s especially helpful with crime, suspense and mystery stories. I want to make sure of the pacing, clues, subplots, and if there’s indeed a complete overall story. Okay, let’s face it, I’m a control freak. I admit it. My mind works in a systematic way and it’s how I approach most of my consulting work as well.

However, I strongly state this with conviction: anything can change during the outlining process and nothing is ever carved into stone. Outlining shouldn’t take away from the creativity of any story.

In a perfect world, my comprehensive outline would take four weeks, but realistically it turns out to be six to eight weeks. I’ve divided my method of outlining madness into four phases.

OUTLINING — PHASE ONE

This is where I lay out the bones to the story. It’s an overview or a crime roadmap. For many writers this would be their outline before they jump into the writing aspect and create the story.

Character Profiles: I spend time preparing each of the main characters and supporting characters from their physical appearances to their deepest, darkest secrets creating their individual stories. It’s similar to working the beginning stages of a profile and victimology in a crime case. I work out their internal and external conflicts and how they are going to interact with other characters. I prepare details about these characters even if I choose not to use it in this story. With recurring characters, such as Emily Stone and Rick Lopez, I work out subtle growth changes in their characters so that they won’t become boring and stale.

Setting Profiles: This is where layout particular towns and cities, streets, parks, residences, landmarks, and locate research that I need as far as the setting is concerned.

Story Summary Outline: This portion takes the longest to write out several pages for each the beginning, middle, and end of the story. I let the flow and creativity go; sometimes it surprises me where things end up.

Plot: I flesh out the exact story theme, subplots, and any additional story threads I want to introduce and weave through out. I also will know what my climax, twist, and resolution will be at this point. Again, this could change a little or a lot as I get into the more nuts and bolts of the free flow writing.

Research: This is one of my favorite parts of writing crime fiction. Even though I’m familiar with many aspects of what I write about with crime, forensics, and criminology, there are always new things to research. For example, I might want to dig up more interesting interrogation techniques or tidbits about personality disorders.

Once I complete Phase One of my outlining madness, I have a solid grasp on my new novel. I’m readying to go on to the next step!

What’s your method of outlining? Plotter or panster?

* * *

DARK MIND – Emily Stone Thriller

“Relentless suspense!”

“Heart-pumping ride into the wild mind of a serial killer!”

“A crime novel with BOTH action and intelligence!”

Author Blog: https://authorjenniferchase.com/

Crime Watch Blog: http://emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/

Book & Crime Talk: http://blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase

Books: Compulsion Dead Game Dark Mind Silent Partner Screenwriting

Posted in Dark Mind, Writing | Tagged award winning author jennifer chase, crime fiction, dark mind, outlning a novel, thriller, writing | 9 Comments

And the Nominees Are…

Posted on February 6, 2012 by jchasenovelist

I love these unexpected surprises! I just received the Versatile Blogger Award. Woohoo! A very special hank you to the lovely and talented author and poet Jo VonBargen for this wonderful honor!