Author Jennifer Chase

What Have We Learned From Serial Killers?

Posted on November 9, 2011 by jchasenovelist

“Most police investigators will argue that anybody can become a criminal type simply by committing a crime and being processed through the justice system. We are hypothesizing, however, that serial murdering is a form of disease rather than a lifestyle, a syndrome that has specific hard and soft signs that are symptoms and identifiable long before the potential murderer commits his first homicide. The disease is the most ultimate form of episodic aggression.” ~ Joel Norris, Ph.D. (from his book Serial Killers)

Above is a provocative and interesting statement that changes perspectives on serial killers. True, this book was published in 1989, but it offers some compelling insight that shouldn’t be overlooked today.

We know that serial killers have some specific patterns of episodic aggressive behaviors such as ritualistic behavior, impulsivity, history of violent assault, head injuries, alcohol and/or drug abuse, and symptoms of neurological impairment – to name a few. Of course, not all serial killers possess all of the symptoms and behavior patterns described. More importantly, each serial case should be viewed as an individual case and only use available information as a guide.

It has been suggested from the behavioral and biological patterns of the psychological profiles of serial killers that there are signs that indicate the probability for an individual to be predisposed to episodic violence and criminal activity. Further, some research has suggested that the psychological condition known as serial killer syndrome is derived from dyscontrol syndrome or limbic brain psychosis.

Could it be possible to short-circuit the murderers or serial killers of tomorrow?

This is a highly debatable topic if certain forms of medical help, therapy, and positive correction would actually curb or stop the potential patterns of homicidal violence. It’s a case by case study and certainly the medical profession or criminal justice system can’t just wave a magic wand.

Would working with juvenile violent offenders be the answer decrease crime?

Could we begin to curb these future violent offenders?

Please feel free to leave a comment.

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Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.com/
Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/
Crime Watch Blog: www.emilystonecrimewatch.wordpress.com/
Book & Crime Talk: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase/
Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Posted in Criminology, Serial Killers | Tagged author and criminologist jennifer chase, behavioral, biological patterns, crime, emily stone series, impulsive behavior, serial killers | 3 Comments

Take a Timeout From a Stressful World

Posted on November 7, 2011 by jchasenovelist

Finishing up final edits for my new book Dark Mind from my Emily Stone Series and balancing everyday activities has made life a little stressful. I’ve found, more than ever, how important it is to take a break during my day or a short timeout to just relax without any interruptions. It helps to keep your spirits high and your mind clear from unnecessary things.

We are bombarded with too many negative things each day, but we can change that!

There are many things that can help to ease stress and keep a positive attitude – almost all of these wonderful things are free!

Here’s my Ten Most Wanted Timeouts:

1. Take a walk. Just take a leisurely walk around through your neighborhood and take notice of all the wonderful things you see.

2. Breathe. This seems like a no brainer, but thinking about how important it is to breathe deeply and slowly can immediately calm you and lift your spirits. We don’t’ realize that many times we’re breathing shallow. Take some long, cleansing breathes and count them silently to yourself. Ahhhhh….

3. Sit quietly by yourself (in your favorite place) and try not to think of anything. Even if this is just for ten minutes, it can be very beneficial. Everything will get done, it always does. Take this time to relax and reenergize.

4. Catch a quick nap. By just giving yourself 15 minutes to nap, you’d be amazed how refreshed and better you will feel to tackle everything you need to do in your day.

5. Surround yourself with soothing scents. Lavender, vanilla, and citrus can be very calming such as with candles or body lotions.

6. Laughter. I can’t stress this enough. Laughter is a great stress reliever and it is truly the best medicine against anything. Crack yourself up or call a friend who always makes you laugh.

7. Flowers. Cut some flowers from your garden or buy a bunch from the grocery store. Cut flowers are cheerful and can lift your spirits.

8. Write in a journal. Don’t focus on writing about anything in particular, just let it free flow. Write out your thoughts and much of your tension will begin to release.

9. Get a massage. Treat yourself to a massage if you haven’t had one in a while. It’s good to have a little bit of self-indulgence once in a while.

10. Count your blessings. Write down the ten things you’re the most thankful for and by changing your perspective you’ll begin to feel stress leaving your body.

Most of all, enjoy your day everyday!

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Posted in Writing | Tagged award winning author and criminologist jennifer chase, dark mind, emily stone series, relaxation, take a moment, thriller | Leave a comment

Out & About Magazine — November 2011

Posted on November 5, 2011 by jchasenovelist

Out & About Magazine has hit the stands! It’s a wonderful magazine filled with articles about restaurants, food, theater, entertainment and books. You can view it online: pdf or digital version.

Check out the latest book review of American Assassin by Vince Flynn featured in my monthly column on pages 32-33. Find out what I had to say about this thriller.

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Posted in Writing | Tagged american assassin, author jennifer chase, book review, out and about magazine, thriller, vince flynn | 1 Comment

Serial Killer Convicted in Arizona Five Years after Summer of Terror

Posted on November 3, 2011 by jchasenovelist

Integrating my fascination with forensic psychology into my writing, all of my novels have made an effort to take readers inside the minds of serial killers—their grandiose feelings of infallibility, their lust for an ever increasing level of blood and violence, and the often innocuous presence they have in their own communities. While my characters are fictional, I believe they embody the real criminals who prey upon the innocent across our country. As of this week, one more serial killer has received the justice due to him for his deadly acts and he will not be able to inflict violence on others anymore.

To be fair, Mark Goudeau was already kept safely from society even before he was found guilty on 72 counts of murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping on Monday, as he is currently serving a 438-year sentence for a 2005 sexual assault of two sisters. But, this week’s decision marks an important moment of closure for the family members of Goudeau’s victims who were still waiting for their day of justice.

Goudeau was known as the “Baseline Killer,” as most of his crimes took place along Baseline Road in Arizona. The crimes began as robberies and sexual assaults and escalated to murder. He was convicted of killing nine people, eight of them women between the ages of nineteen and thirty-nine. He kidnapped his victims while they were engaged in everyday activities, such as waiting at a bus top or vacuuming their car at a car wash, and eventually shot them in the head.

With these new convictions, Mark Goudeau is now eligible for the death penalty. The sentencing phase of the trial occurs this week as well. Whether or not he is put to death for his crimes, at least this former construction worker will never have the opportunity to terrorize a neighborhood again as he did in Arizona five years ago.

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Posted in Criminology, Serial Killers | Tagged author jennifer chase, baseline killer, crime fiction, Mark Goudeau, serial killer, thrillers | 1 Comment

Firearms Evidence and the Crime Scene Investigation

Posted on November 2, 2011 by jchasenovelist

A common form of evidence found at many crime scenes is firearms evidence. It can be in the form of a gun, shell casings, bullets, or any combination. This type of evidence can be found in related crimes such as murder, attempted murder, suicide, robbery, assault, and rape.

It’s a fascinating and challenging technique for forensic scientists to begin to discover all of the characteristics of a particular firearm and how it was applied to the crime.

Firearms evidence can answer so many questions about a crime scene and can provide investigators with the answers to solve the crime and arrest the perpetrator.

What type of weapon was used in the crime?

How far away was the perpetrator when they fired the weapon?

Was the weapon in proper working order?

Who was the perpetrator?

Why did they use the gun?

The importance of reconstructing the crime scene can’t be overstated when it comes to firearms evidence. Firearms identification refers to ballistics and the study of firearms, which includes the operation of the firearms, cartridges, bullet comparisons, powder patterns, and gunshot residue. These identifications are extremely important to forensic scientists and criminal investigators. They provide a detailed roadmap of clues of what exactly happened and provide a timeline of events.

The characteristics of firearms are divided into two broad groups: shoulder firearms and handguns, which can be further characterized by smoothbore and rifled weapons.

Basically, the rifling in a gun barrel is the spiral grooves cut into the barrel that reflects the twisting motion on the bullet as it leaves the barrel. This is what firearms examiners use to compare bullets from a crime scene and can be extremely important in any criminal investigation and prosecution.

Another important forensic tool in firearms evidence are the scratches or striations that are caused by the imperfections in the grooves placed in the barrel at the time of manufacture. The use of the weapon also causes distinct scratches and striations. This reflects the individual marking(s) of a particular gun and bullet and can identify the perpetrator.

Firearms evidence is similar to the types of characteristics of fingerprints. They are distinct and an extremely useful form of forensic evidence.

Guns account for many of the violent crimes today, but the crime scene and firearms evidence can reveal the clues to solve the mystery and bring the guilty to justice.

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Posted in crime, Forensic | Tagged author jennifer chase, ballistics, crime fiction, crime scene, emily stone series, firearms evidence, forensic science | 2 Comments

Dark Mind — An Emily Stone Thriller (Coming Soon)

Posted on October 31, 2011 by jchasenovelist

Emily Stone is hot on the trail of an abducted child and the clues take her to the beautiful island paradise of Kauai. It doesn’t take long for her to get thrown into the middle of murder, mayhem, and conspiracies. A serial killer stalks the island, taking women in a brutal frenzy of ancient superstitions and folklore. Local cops are stumped without any clues or suspects.

Can Emily find the killer before it’s too late?

Scheduled Release: 11.21.11

Check out the book trailer for Dark Mind:

Posted in Writing | Tagged award winning author and criminologist jennifer chase, crime fiction, dark mind, dark mind book trailer, emily stone series, mystery, suspense, thriller | 2 Comments

Parents of Connecticut Killer Testify

Posted on October 29, 2011 by jchasenovelist

When it comes to the study of forensic psychology, it’s probably safe to assume that no criminal gets more attention than a brutal killer. We are simultaneously fascinated and terrified by someone who could beat, rape, torture, and murder, often multiple times. Is something wrong with the wiring in his brain? Are there signs that people missed of this person’s potential for such evil acts? What must that person’s life been like as a child to make him turn out that way?

While we may not be able to make generalizations about the parents of violent men and women, as circumstances vary widely, we still are intrigued by any glimpse into their lives. We had such an opportunity this week when the adoptive parents of convicted killer Joshua Komisarjevsky took the stand in the penalty phase of his trial.

Earlier this month, Komisarjevksy was found guilty on 17 counts of charges that included murder, burglary, kidnapping, sexual assault and arson for his role in the killing of the wife and daughters of Dr. William Petit in their Connecticut home. The heinous nature of the acts had the nation in shock when details of the July 2007 events were made known.

Komisarjevsky’s father testified that his son was molested for years as a child by a foster teen who had been brought into their home, but the family never sought therapy or medication for him. They saw these interventions as signs of weakness that did not gel with their ultra-religious views. Joseph Komisarjevsky went on to molest his own sister when he was only 11 or 12 years old, and their father contends she is doing just fine. Other signs of trouble, such as setting fire to a gas station as a teenager and evidence of cutting, were apparently ignored.

While nothing excuses the despicable acts of violence committed by Komisarjevsky and his partner in this crime, Steven Hayes, you also can see evidence of the cycle of violence and abuse that may have had a role in these horrible consequences. If any good can be done, let’s hope that greater awareness of psychological problems and the benefits of treatment will be a result.

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