tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282388682024-03-13T04:43:02.767-07:00Is this thing on?Official blog of author Jan BurkeJan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-12060231626875946882017-03-08T14:57:00.000-08:002017-03-08T15:28:04.822-08:00Anatomy of Innocence: What Causes Wrongful Convictions?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Reprinted with the kind permission of inSinC, the Sisters in Crime Quarterly, March 2017. I wrote this article for the "Fact to Fiction" column, and have added this photo and a few additional links below.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo Credit: <a href="https://morguefile.com/creative/kconnors" target="_blank">KConnors</a> on <a href="https://morguefile.com/" target="_blank">MorgueFile</a>, </i>file5161250743654.jpg</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anatomy of Innocence</i>: What
Causes Wrongful Convictions?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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With the release this month of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A<a href="https://anatomyofinnocence.com/" target="_blank">natomy of Innocence: Testimonies of the Wrongfully Convicted</a></i>,
edited by SinC members <a href="http://www.lauracaldwell.com/" target="_blank">Laura Caldwell</a> and <a href="http://lesliesklinger.com/" target="_blank">Leslie S. Klinger</a>, I’ve decided to
briefly describe some of the reasons the innocent may be wrongfully sentenced
and imprisoned. </div>
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Like <a href="http://www.saraparetsky.com/" target="_blank">Sara Paretsky</a>, <a href="http://gdphillips.com/" target="_blank">Gary Phillips</a>, <a href="http://sjrozan.net/" target="_blank">SJ Rozan</a>, <a href="http://www.leechild.com/" target="_blank">Lee Child</a>, <a href="http://laurierking.com/" target="_blank">LaurieKing</a>, and others writers who contributed to the book, I interviewed an exoneree
and wrote a chapter based on his experiences. I had the honor of working with
Alton Logan, and his ordeal haunts me — just as his courage and ability to
survive inspire me. (The proceeds of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anatomy
of Innocence</i> benefit <a href="https://lifeafterinnocence.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Life After Innocence</a>, a nonprofit which helps the
wrongfully convicted to reenter life after exoneration.)</div>
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This brief column cannot replace the book, but I hope to
interest writers and readers in taking a look at these issues. You wouldn’t be
reading or writing crime fiction if you didn’t think about justice. For
writers, there are many story ideas here, and opportunities to raise awareness
of ways we can make criminal justice more just. Writers who fail to research
these problems can inadvertently lend weight to questionable practices, giving
readers a false sense of assurance about them. “Of course hairs can be
matched!” Readers then take those assumptions into the jury box. </div>
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Here’s a quick look at three leading causes of wrongful
convictions — I’ve included links for sites where you can learn more:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Eye-Witness Misidentification</u></b></div>
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According to a study by the <a href="http://www.innocenceproject.org/" target="_blank">Innocence Project</a>, 70% of the
wrongful conviction cases later overturned through DNA evidence were the result
of eye-witness misidentification. Of those, 43% were cross-racial
misidentification, and 32% involved multiple misidentifications of the same
person.</div>
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The problems with eye-witness identifications have been
scientifically studied for a long time. Hugo Münsterberg, who taught at Harvard
and was a pioneer in forensic psychology, published <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On the Witness Stand </i>over one hundred years ago<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>This collection of his articles and essays discussed the
fallibility of human memory, the ways in which an individual’s perceptions can
be changed by circumstances, jury research, and more. Münsterberg found that
even in controlled, low-stress environments, the ability of individuals to accurately
observe and recall events is far less reliable than we assume it to be.</div>
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Hundreds of other studies have shown that human memory is
not unalterable and we are not the “walking video recorders” we seem to believe
witnesses to be. Factors known to affect observation and memory are many, and
include lighting, distance, stress, fear, trauma, the presence of a weapon, and
a difference in race between the witness and perpetrator. </div>
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Preventable problems with eye-witness identification are
sometimes created by those in law enforcement. Line-ups should be administered
by someone who does not know who the suspect is — it is too easy to introduce
bias otherwise. Careful line-up composition, video recording of witness
interviews, and other steps can be taken to prevent misidentification.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Faulty Forensic Science</u><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Forensic science has faced challenges as DNA evidence has repeatedly
shown that some courtroom “science” hasn’t been based in science at all. Other
forensic tests have never been
subjected to rigorous evaluation. Statistical significance of findings has been
misstated. </div>
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A 2009 study by the National Academies of Sciences
enumerated many weaknesses and problems in the field of forensic science. This
led to efforts to ensure that all forensic science disciplines have a strong
scientific foundation.</div>
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These changes have not been without resistance in some
quarters, especially from some of those who have been testifying as experts in questioned
fields. Still, 46% of the wrongful convictions later cleared by DNA evidence
were attributed by the Innocence Project to invalid or improper forensic
science.</div>
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Among others, areas questioned include bite mark evidence, microscopic
hair comparisons, and firearms tool mark analysis. In 2015, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Washington Post </i>reported that the
Justice Department and the FBI acknowledged that 26 of its 28 microscopic hair
examiners overstated forensic matches in ways that favored prosecutors in more
than 95 percent of the 268 trials reviewed. Of those cases, 34 defendants had
been sentenced to death and 14 of those had been executed.</div>
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Faulty chemical tests, sold cheaply and used by police
departments across the country, have recently come <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/vegas-prosecutors-seek-help-in-identifying-convictions-faulty-drug-tests" target="_blank">under fire by ProPublica’s investigativejournalists</a>, who found that “tens of thousands of people have been jailed based
on a $2 roadside test” that routinely produces false positives.</div>
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Polygraphs, also known as “lie detector tests,” are not
admissible in federal courts, but are in many state courts. These tests have
been widely criticized as being unreliable and without scientific basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>False Confessions</u><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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It is nearly impossible to convince jurors — and judges —
that people who are innocent may confess to crimes they did not commit. And yet
when the Innocence Project examined its first 311 wrongful conviction cases
cleared by DNA evidence, more than 25% of them included false confessions.</div>
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The reasons for false confessions are many. Nearly anyone
may give a false confession under certain circumstances, but children,
adolescents, the mentally disabled, the mentally ill, and those who are drunk
or high are more likely to produce false confessions. Police interrogation methods
and the length of interrogations are factors. Police are legally allowed to lie
to suspects about what evidence they have, including telling them they failed a
polygraph test, another factor that influences false confessions. Ignorance of
the law, threats of harsher sentences, and fear of violence are also factors.</div>
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Suggested remedies include mandatory video recording of all
interrogations, changes in the current law so that prosecutors would be
required to tell the defendant of exculpatory evidence in plea deal situations,
and adopting less adversarial <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>interrogation methods, such as those used in Great Britain.</div>
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There are other reasons for wrongful convictions —time spent
researching them will be time well-spent. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anatomy
of Innocence</i> will give you an inside look at what happens when we convict
the innocent, and why we should be concerned.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Links and Sources:</u><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://anatomyofinnocence.com/">https://anatomyofinnocence.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.luc.edu/law/academics/clinicalprograms/lifeafterinnocence/">http://www.luc.edu/law/academics/clinicalprograms/lifeafterinnocence/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.innocenceproject.org/">http://www.innocenceproject.org</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/fbi-overstated-forensic-hair-matches-in-nearly-all-criminal-trials-for-decades/2015/04/18/39c8d8c6-e515-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html?utm_term=.766b93ddd323">https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/fbi-overstated-forensic-hair-matches-in-nearly-all-criminal-trials-for-decades/2015/04/18/39c8d8c6-e515-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html?utm_term=.766b93ddd323</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12589/strengthening-forensic-science-in-the-united-states-a-path-forward">https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12589/strengthening-forensic-science-in-the-united-states-a-path-forward</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/vegas-prosecutors-seek-help-in-identifying-convictions-faulty-drug-tests">https://www.propublica.org/article/vegas-prosecutors-seek-help-in-identifying-convictions-faulty-drug-tests</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2016/10/20/homicide-detectives-book-describes-how-the-police-generate-false-confessions/?utm_term=.68ecb443f160">https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2016/10/20/homicide-detectives-book-describes-how-the-police-generate-false-confessions/?utm_term=.68ecb443f160</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/opinion/sunday/why-do-innocent-people-confess.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/opinion/sunday/why-do-innocent-people-confess.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/12/09/the-interview-7">http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/12/09/the-interview-7</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/a-rare-look-at-the-police-tactics-that-can-lead-to-false-confessions/">http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/a-rare-look-at-the-police-tactics-that-can-lead-to-false-confessions/</a></div>
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<a href="https://crimeandscienceradio.com/2016/11/12/should-we-abandon-use-of-lie-detector-tests-as-junk-science-an-interview-with-morton-tavel-m-d/">https://crimeandscienceradio.com/2016/11/12/should-we-abandon-use-of-lie-detector-tests-as-junk-science-an-interview-with-morton-tavel-m-d/</a></div>
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<a href="https://crimeandscienceradio.com/2015/01/31/watching-the-detectives-investigative-journalism-and-forensic-science-an-interview-with-douglas-starr/">https://crimeandscienceradio.com/2015/01/31/watching-the-detectives-investigative-journalism-and-forensic-science-an-interview-with-douglas-starr/</a></div>
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-35299801045784253902016-08-04T05:44:00.000-07:002016-08-04T05:44:12.485-07:00Live audience recording of Crime & Science Radio <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">If you live in the Los Angeles area, join Professor Donald J Johnson, DP Lyle, MD and me for our first recording of an episode of Crime and Science Radio before a live audience. So Cal MWA is sponsoring this event, to be held at the Tam O'Shanter Restaurant on August 7, Noon-2:30 PM. The luncheon event is open to the public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Professor Johnson was a senior criminalist for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department,where he spent years scientifically investigating evidence in violent crime cases. He left to work as a professor at CSULA, where he and his students are doing amazing research and developing new forensic science technology. We'll be interviewing him and taking questions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For more details and to make reservations, visit:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="http://www.socalmwa.com/2016/05/tam-luncheon-dp-lyle-jan-burke-live-radio-podcast/">http://www.socalmwa.com/2016/05/tam-luncheon-dp-lyle-jan-burke-live-radio-podcast/</a></span></div>
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If you don't live in LA, watch the <a href="http://www.crimeandscienceradio.com/" target="_blank">Crime & Science Radio website</a> for this and other shows!</div>
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-82775298110665646372016-07-26T23:24:00.000-07:002016-07-26T23:24:51.573-07:00Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths: Write Now! 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm excited about the upcoming Desert Sleuths conference, which will be held in Phoenix August 12-13. You can sign up and learn more about it at<br />
<a href="http://desertsleuths.com/ds-events/2016-writenow-conference/">http://desertsleuths.com/ds-events/2016-writenow-conference/</a><br />
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I'll be speaking about using forensic science in your novels.<br />
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Hope to see you there!<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-88795602828182379162015-09-03T20:32:00.001-07:002015-09-03T20:32:15.087-07:00Crime and Science Radio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dr. Doug Lyle and I usually host <a href="http://www.crimeandscienceradio.com/" target="_blank">Crime and Science Radio</a>, but in September, <a href="http://hankphillippiryan.com/" target="_blank">Hank Phillippi Ryan</a> turns the tables and interviews us!<br />
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You'll be able to hear her interview with me on Saturday, 9/5 at 10 AM Pacific and two weeks later, she interviews Doug. Always fun to spend time with Hank — join us! <br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-84716142775490528322015-08-05T16:33:00.004-07:002015-08-05T16:33:51.272-07:00Holy Cow! A new post coming your way soon.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yes... I'm starting to catch up with a few things. See you soon.</div>
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-66728662325237965152015-05-12T10:40:00.001-07:002015-05-12T10:41:49.836-07:00Some Plain Speaking About Forensic DNA and Our Longing for Perfection <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People who want the best of all possible criminal justice systems have goals for forensic science. We may understand that they aren't always achievable, but we long for them all the same, and some of us actively work toward them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We want to feel assured that we are convicting the right person, the one who did it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We want the innocent to be freed and exonerated (which are not the same thing). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We want to correctly identify the deceased, to find some measure of justice for victims, and to prevent those who harmed them from harming others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because we never want to be mistaken in these essentials of justice, we want to believe that our methods of evidence examination are going to deliver the truth. If we have doubts here and there, most of us feel sure that modern science has found at least one method that is perfect: DNA. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DNA is lauded in this way, and it is not uncommon to hear it spoken of as the "gold standard." I cringe every time I hear that. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DNA evidence has much to recommend it over many other types of evidence, but it isn't always useful. For example, although most of us want to believe strangers are more dangerous to us than our loved ones, studies have shown that most murder victims knew their killer. This isn't a matter of Homicide Begins at Home barely edging out the Danger From a Stranger competition -- </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From 1993 to 2008, among homicides reported to the FBI for which the victim-offender relationship was known, between 21% and 27% of homicides were committed by strangers and between <b>73% and 79% were committed by offenders known to the victims.</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">That's from <a href="http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=4557" target="_blank">a study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, which looked at crime statistics from 1993-2010</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What does that have to do with DNA? We all leave our DNA (and <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/09/23/219375086/could-detectives-use-microbes-to-solve-murders" target="_blank">microbes</a>, and more) in the places where we live. For example, a husband's DNA will be present in the home where he murdered his wife. It would be really odd if his DNA wasn't present. Finding his DNA in the home, on the victim, even on the weapon -- especially if it is an object that has been in the home for a while -- does not prove him guilty of anything but living at his own address, touching his wife, and handling objects that belong to him. Not evidence of a crime.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And despite what you've seen in a television drama, in the unlikely event a complete stranger shoots you, the odds of crime scene investigators <a href="http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/cci/reference/lpdnactg_presentation.pdf" target="_blank">finding useful amounts of DNA on anything but a bloody shell casing at the scene (and that the blood is the shooter's, not yours) are not great</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">DNA is also (at present, anyway) a <a href="http://www.nij.gov/journals/261/pages/dna-solves-property-crimes.aspx" target="_blank">relatively expensive form of testing</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Ignoring the economics of the criminal justice system is not an option. IMHO we make a tremendous number of utterly asinine, penny wise and pound foolish choices about forensic science budgeting — paying the extremely high costs of </span><span style="color: #222222;">continued violence, </span><span style="color: #222222;">lengthier and more labor-intensive investigations, wrongful convictions, suffering of victims and families, property damage, public health problems, and other safety issues because we won't properly staff and equip labs, let alone spend much to research forensic science or educate our police, courtroom personnel, and public health workers — but alas, no one has put me in charge of all of that yet. Sadly, there is no line item in a county budget called "all the longterm expense and human misery your dumbass decisions cause" to show how wrongheaded a lab budget cut can be.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still, costs and limits of applications aside, the forensic use of DNA continues to amaze us, and for good reason. It's a fantastic tool. It has <a href="http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/2015/02/26/longtime-cold-case-dna-link/24064953/" target="_blank">helped us solved cold cases</a>, <a href="http://www.innocenceproject.org/" target="_blank">freed the innocent</a>, <a href="http://www.namus.gov/" target="_blank">helped families learn the fates of missing loved ones</a>, <a href="https://www.le.ac.uk/richardiii/" target="_blank">identified kings buried under car parks</a> and given us a feeling of certainty in convictions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is that last that becomes problematic, because we should never forget that human beings work at crime scenes and in laboratories. And human beings make mistakes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the years, as certain vulnerabilities became apparent, forensic scientists have worked hard to institute controls for quality, to ensure that mistakes were prevented or caught, not just in DNA testing, but in other areas of forensic science as well. But pressures from police and prosecutors, politics within the criminal justice system, budget cutbacks that do not provide the needed level of quality assurance, and other problems can counter those efforts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you'll be at the <a href="http://ccwconference.org/" style="color: #1155cc;">California Crime Writers Conference</a> next month, I'll be talking about this issue and other matters in my forensic science track session, "The Forensic 25." I hope to see you there (Don Johnson and Beatrice Yorker are also be on the conference faculty.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But if you can't wait or can't make it there, here are a few stories and website links to help you learn more about the ways DNA can go wrong -- or at least, how the humans who work with it go wrong. This isn't, I'm sorry to say, a complete list:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) <a href="http://dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1&ArticleID=122090" target="_blank">Contamination of a murder victim's body with DNA from a previous autopsy occurred when the victim's body was transported in the medical examiner's open pickup truck</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/crime-courts/las-vegas-police-reveal-dna-error-put-wrong-man-prison" target="_blank">A lab worker switched the swabs in vials, which in turn put an innocent man in prison and left a violent man free to attack others -- a policy of not checking closed cases in the database meant the error was not caught for years.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) <a href="http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/dnabook/NV-AUDIT%20OF%20LAB%20AFTER%20ERROR.1st" target="_blank">A lab worker mislabelled DNA samples, causing a man not only to be nearly wrongly convicted for one crime, but accused of other crimes.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) <a href="http://www.injusticeinperugia.org/viewfromwilmington-3.html" target="_blank">This article, on a site about the Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito wrongful convictions, details a number of ways DNA collection and testing can go wrong</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/DNA-lab-irregularities-may-endanger-hundreds-of-6165643.php" target="_blank">Recent scandals in the San Francisco crime lab include a startling one in which a worker allegedly "filled in gaps" in poor quality DNA results to create pro-prosecution results.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6) <a href="https://oig.justice.gov/special/0405/chapter4.htm" target="_blank">When the misconduct of an FBI DNA lab worker (detected by another lab worker) was discovered in 2002, a major investigation ensued, new practices and protocols were recommended</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7) <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7966641.stm" target="_blank">German police hunted a female serial killer whose DNA was found at 40 crime scenes -- </a>"the phatom of Heilbronn," <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7966641.stm" target="_blank">a killer whose DNA had been found at six murder scenes and the scene of one unexplained death, a criminal history covering a period of about 16 years. A killer who turned out not to exist. It was instead a case of contamination -- from the DNA of a woman who worked in a Bavarian factory that made the cotton swabs used to collect samples</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, as in all human endeavors, striving for perfection in forensic science is admirable -- after all, the consequences have to do with lives and liberty -- provided we remember that humans aren't perfect, and that we remind our city, county, state, and federal legislators that we must provide what is needed to both remedy and safeguard against errors.</span></div>
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-83537098388899667542015-02-09T03:25:00.002-08:002015-02-09T03:30:18.159-08:00Updating the Site and more<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been busy. Writing, real life, and ... I'll bet you've been busy, too.<br />
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I've just completed sending in a load of edits on my <a href="http://www.janburke.com/" target="_blank">website</a> to the talented folks at <a href="http://xuni.com/">xuni.com</a>, so you should see a few changes soon.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dplylemd.com/DPLyleMD/Home.html" target="_blank">Doug Lyle</a> and I have been recording some great interviews for <a href="http://crimeandscienceradio.com/" target="_blank">Crime and Science Radio</a>. We'll also be together for a fundraiser for the Friends of the Placentia Public Library on March 7th. You can buy tickets for the luncheon at the library. More schedule details<a href="http://www.janburke.com/schedule.php" target="_blank"> here</a>.<br />
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Since I know you want a new book, I'll keep this brief. Thanks for your continued support!<br />
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Jan</div>
Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-72074277187189414502014-11-04T12:16:00.004-08:002014-11-04T12:16:43.231-08:00Africa and Ebola<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MZMZJNP87U/VFky9thPvkI/AAAAAAAAASI/keQdnSmdhdk/s1600/Liberia_map_17Rbw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MZMZJNP87U/VFky9thPvkI/AAAAAAAAASI/keQdnSmdhdk/s1600/Liberia_map_17Rbw.jpg" height="320" width="299" /></a></div>
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Does the above look like most of Africa to you? <br />
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I'm offering links to two items I really hope you will take a look at. This will require no more than a few minutes of your time.<br />
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1) an easy to view graphic, showing the size of Africa by overlaying the United States, China, and other countries for comparison:<br />
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<a href="http://kai.subblue.com/images/true-size-of-africa-kk-v2.pdf">http://kai.subblue.com/images/true-size-of-africa-kk-v2.pdf</a><br />
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2) this article with a map showing where Ebola outbreaks are — and are not — in Africa.<br />
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/11/03/map-the-africa-without-ebola/">http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/11/03/map-the-africa-without-ebola/</a><br />
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Perspective is important.<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-31320367062337212802014-11-03T17:17:00.002-08:002014-11-03T17:30:24.429-08:00VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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" 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<b>I hope my readers in the U.S. who are eligible to vote will do so tomorrow, November 4.</b><br />
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Please recognize all the sacrifices made on your behalf for the right to vote, a right not shared everywhere, and hard won over the years of this country's existence.<br />
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To sit back on election day and let others decide the matter is to hand power over to people whose views are most likely extreme — studies show those on the political far ends of the spectrum are more likely to vote in election years like this one. You of more moderate opinions outnumber them.<br />
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No complaints then, if you fail to take this easiest of steps to be heard.<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-58033794242836042892014-10-30T13:18:00.001-07:002014-10-30T13:24:52.857-07:00Happy Halloween — and a couple of recommendations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5E5Md4JnHg/VFKZ5syfeVI/AAAAAAAAAR4/GdrsWWd0R_Q/s1600/BoPeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5E5Md4JnHg/VFKZ5syfeVI/AAAAAAAAAR4/GdrsWWd0R_Q/s1600/BoPeep.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hope you all have a happy Halloween tomorrow. (Yes, my parents had the coolest furniture ever.)</div>
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I'll be away from the blog for a couple of days. </div>
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If you are looking for a fascinating book to read in this haunted season, I highly recommend <a href="http://witter.com/deborahblum" target="_blank">Deborah Blum</a>'s <i><a href="http://deborahblum.com/Ghost_Hunters.html" target="_blank">Ghost Hunters</a></i>. At the end of the 19th century, and in the face of scorn from other scientists, William James — renowned Harvard professor of psychiatry — and a group of eminent scientists decide to study ghosts, spiritualism, and psychic phenomena in an empirical way. </div>
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This is one of my all-time favorite works of nonfiction.</div>
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I also hope you'll listen to <a href="http://crimeandscienceradio.com/" target="_blank">Crime and Science Radio </a>on Saturday (10 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern, 5 PM GMT) -- our guest is forensic anthropologist Marilyn London.</div>
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-87608042411244547812014-10-29T09:50:00.002-07:002014-10-29T14:31:08.684-07:00Coroners and Medical Examiners Keep You Alive: Five Things You Should Know About Death Investigation in the U.S.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5fA05-oOV0/VFEHk5tsXkI/AAAAAAAAARo/sRoyIOyX790/s1600/IMG_1957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5fA05-oOV0/VFEHk5tsXkI/AAAAAAAAARo/sRoyIOyX790/s1600/IMG_1957.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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"So You Wanna Be A Coroner? Almost Anybody Can!"<br />
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That's the title of a humorous -- and informative -- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPb6DwaEAaQ" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> by commentator and comedian Eunice Elliot, who is part of the team at WTVM in Birmingham, Alabama. Her video was inspired by a brief article I wish I could put into the hands of everyone in the U.S. who can read: Leada Gore's <a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/10/does_it_matter_if_the_coroner.html" target="_blank">"Does it matter if the coroner is a Republican or a Democrat?"</a> at al.com<br />
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I have been talking about problems with death investigation for years, mostly over at the Crime Lab Project website -- <a href="http://www.crimelabproject.com/">http://www.crimelabproject.com</a>, and I'm not the first (for example, a 1928 National Academy of Sciences report said we should get rid of the coroner system). I'm far from the only one who is concerned.</div>
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Here are five things I wish people knew about this subject:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1) In most states, coroners do not need medical training, legal training, or forensic science training. A large number of jurisdictions require no training of any kind.</span></b><br />
See<b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b><a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/02/02/133403760/coroners-dont-need-degrees-to-determine-death">http://www.npr.org/2011/02/02/133403760/coroners-dont-need-degrees-to-determine-death</a><br />
<a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/02/03/131242432/graphics-how-is-death-investigated-in-your-state">http://www.npr.org/2011/02/03/131242432/graphics-how-is-death-investigated-in-your-state</a></div>
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There is no consistency whatsoever. In many places, it's a political plum handed out by appointment, in others, an elected position with no other requirements than "18 years of age, resident of the state, registered to vote."<br />
In Indiana, if a veterinarian takes the job of coroner, the Office of the Attorney General has ruled that "<span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman; font-size: 11pt;">A licensed veterinarian is a 'physician' within the meaning of the statute
and is entitled to one and one-half times the base salary for a county coroner."</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.in.gov/ctb/files/section101.pdf">http://www.in.gov/ctb/files/section101.pdf</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) Not all medical examiners are doctors, and many medical examiners who are doctors are not trained forensic pathologists.</span></b><br />
In Wisconsin, a medical examiner is appointed, a coroner elected. That's the only difference between the two, although some counties have greater restrictions: <a href="http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=37208">http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=37208</a><br />
In many states, there is no requirement of forensic pathology training. Gynecologists, dentists, general practitioners, and others have served as medical examiners. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) The autopsy rate in the U.S. is abysmally low. We really don't know why people are dying.</span></b><br />
Autopsies rates in the U.S.A. <a href="http://projects.propublica.org/forensics/">http://projects.propublica.org/forensics/</a><br />
Declining autopsy rates affect medicine and public health <a href="http://www.amednews.com/article/20120220/health/302209940/4/">http://www.amednews.com/article/20120220/health/302209940/4/</a></div>
More Deaths Go Unchecked as Autopsy Rate Falls to “Miserably Low” Levels<br />
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<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/criminal-justice/post-mortem/more-deaths-go-unchecked-as-autopsy-rate-falls-to-miserably-low-levels/">http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/criminal-justice/post-mortem/more-deaths-go-unchecked-as-autopsy-rate-falls-to-miserably-low-levels/</a></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">4) The work of coroners and medical examiners keeps you alive. </b><br />
Saying coroners and medical examiners work for the dead is a statement of ignorance. (And doubly so for those who add, "The dead don't vote.") The dead don't need anything. The living seek justice on their behalf if they are murdered, but that's also because if someone is running around killing people, the living want to know that. Death certificates help decide how medical research will be funded. They allow families to collect insurance and deal with the estate of the deceased.<br />
Here are just a few additional examples of how their work benefits the living:<br />
Public health -- recognition of health problems and disease outbreaks<br />
Mass disasters -- mass disasters bring about mass fatalities<br />
Safety -- recognizing potentially fatal dangers in the workplace, cribs, toys, amusement parks, in automobiles and elsewhere helps the living<br />
Missing persons -- putting a name to the unidentified dead not only helps the families of the missing, but allows investigators to solve cold cases<br />
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Silent Mass Disaster <a href="http://www.nij.gov/journals/256/pages/missing-persons.aspx">http://www.nij.gov/journals/256/pages/missing-persons.aspx</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5) Death investigation should not be given over to morticians with little or no forensic or medical training, especially if no firm ethics requirements are in place.</span></b><br />
Problems arise when there is a conflict of interest and money to be made from the families of the dead. But that's just the beginning. Death investigation cannot be handed off to someone on the basis of having the equipment to do body removal and the stomach handle remains. This is a serious and important matter than affects the justice, safety, and health of living individuals. Certification and accreditation are important, and voters should demand them.<br />
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<a href="http://www.funeralethics.org/coroners.htm">http://www.funeralethics.org/coroners.htm</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.funeralethics.org/summary.htm">http://www.funeralethics.org/summary.htm</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/investigations/death-investigation/symposium/Pages/education.aspx">http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/investigations/death-investigation/symposium/Pages/education.aspx</a><br />
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Many homicide, accident, and public health investigations begin when a body is discovered. Someone with training should be on the job.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Further reading:</span></b><br />
ProPublica Post-Mortem Series <a href="http://www.propublica.org/series/post-mortem">http://www.propublica.org/series/post-mortem</a><br />
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The Death Quiz <a href="http://crimelabproject.wordpress.com/the-death-quiz/">http://crimelabproject.wordpress.com/the-death-quiz/</a><br />
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National Academies of Science (2009) <a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12589">Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward </a> "Chapter 9: Medical Examiner and Coroner Systems: Current and Future Needs" Can be read for free here: <a href="http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12589&page=241">http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12589&page=241</a><br />
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Bureau of Justice Statistics (2007) Special Report: <a href="http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/meco04.pdf">http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/meco04.pdf</a><br />
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NPR: Chronic Dysfunction Found in Death Investigations <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/02/08/133595702/chronic-dysfunction-found-in-death-investigations">http://www.npr.org/2011/02/08/133595702/chronic-dysfunction-found-in-death-investigations</a><br />
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National Institute of Justice Forensic Death Investigation Symposium <a href="http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/investigations/death-investigation/symposium/Pages/welcome.aspx">http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/investigations/death-investigation/symposium/Pages/welcome.aspx</a><br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-35437879979833928472014-10-29T07:50:00.002-07:002014-10-29T07:50:45.957-07:00Eighteen on Audio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFI6boqUSbA/VFD9CobRGOI/AAAAAAAAARY/7ggldIvclv0/s1600/burkeeighteenaudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFI6boqUSbA/VFD9CobRGOI/AAAAAAAAARY/7ggldIvclv0/s1600/burkeeighteenaudio.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm so happy about <a href="http://www.mysteryscenemag.com/37-reviews/audiobooks/4629-eighteen?highlight=WyJqYW4iLCJidXJrZSIsImJ1cmtlJ3MiLCJqYW4gYnVya2UiXQ==" target="_blank">this review</a> in <i>Mystery Scene Magazine</i> for the audio edition of <i>Eighteen</i>, from Brilliance!<br />
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You can buy this edition from <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Eighteen-Audiobook/B00JJ1WE96/ref=a_search_c4_1_15_srTtl?qid=1414594147&sr=1-15" target="_blank">Audible</a>, <a href="https://www.audiobookstand.com/product.asp?TitleId=64526" target="_blank">AudioBookstand</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1480568422?ie=UTF8&tag=myst%E2%80%A6linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1480568422" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, and <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781480568426" target="_blank">Indie Bound</a> -- and other audible book dealers.<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-44360699634020331882014-10-27T19:49:00.001-07:002014-10-27T20:02:48.249-07:00Spot the Station<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I never fail to feel a deep sense of wonder on those nights when, for a few minutes, I have the good fortune to see the International Space Station passing overhead. Good fortune and advanced notification from NASA. Perspective changes, thinking of the crew high above.<br />
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If you would like to see the ISS, visit NASA's <a href="http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/" target="_blank">Spot the Station page</a> and sign up to receive text notifications when the station's journey makes it visible in the part the world where you live. The site includes instructions that will help you understand the locating information in each text.<br />
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Look for a bright object arcing across the sky, moving fast. You don't need a telescope or any other aid to see it. If you have a compass or know where north, east, south and west are, you'll be able to figure it out. The site will tell you everything else you need to know.<br />
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Image above from <a href="http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/faq.cfm">http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/faq.cfm</a> and is used courtesy of NASA.</div>
Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-67989320100702386172014-10-26T14:26:00.000-07:002014-10-26T14:29:05.190-07:00Bouchercon 2014 Schedule<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bouchercon is the largest of the crime fiction fan conventions, and this year it is being held in Long Beach, California. I hope you'll plan to attend! <a href="http://bouchercon2014.com/" target="_blank">Click here</a> for information on registration, accommodations, programming and more.<br />
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<b>November 12 </b><br />
I'm starting that week as the coordinator of Sisters in Crime's SinC into Great Writing workshop, which this year is an all-day forensic science program that is available for $50 for members of the organization. If you aren't a member, join for $40 and you'll still get a great deal. I posted about the event <a href="http://janburke.blogspot.com/2014/10/only-12-spaces-left-in-sinc-into-great.html" target="_blank">here</a> and will have more to say about the event this week.<br />
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Here are the panels I'll be on:<br />
<b>November 15</b><br />
On Saturday at 1:30 PM, "Getting it Right: How Authors Make Sure the Details Are Correct."<br />
The moderator is Chris Aldrich and other panelists are Reed Farrel Coleman, Julia Dahl, Roger Hobbs, and Tammy Kaehler.<br />
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<b>November 16</b><br />
On Sunday at 10:00 AM "Do You Write What You Know? A Conversation About Research and Thinking Beyond the Everyday." Our moderator is Janet Rudolph and other panelists are Barry Eisler, Laurie R. King, and Elaine Viets.<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-25541038898835903772014-10-22T22:47:00.000-07:002014-10-22T22:47:00.519-07:00What I'm Reading<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OcPazzQXQg/VEiTTChKNDI/AAAAAAAAAQs/7CG1vvZhWv4/s1600/erdo%CC%8Bpan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OcPazzQXQg/VEiTTChKNDI/AAAAAAAAAQs/7CG1vvZhWv4/s1600/erdo%CC%8Bpan2.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tim and I read together (and separately as well). We just finished Jane Austen's <i>Sense and Sensibility</i>, which we have read many times before. I never grow tired of it, even if there is always that point when I want Marianne to get over herself sooner than she does.<br />
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The books still in progress are appropriate for this haunted month.<br />
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We haven't read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Zelazny" target="_blank">Roger Zelazny</a>'s <i><a href="http://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/night-in-the-lonesome-october--a-products-9781556525605.php" target="_blank">A Night in the Lonesome October</a> </i>as many times as <i>Sense and Sensibility</i>. I think this is our third or fourth time through it. We are better able to appreciate his skill with each reading. The humor still makes us laugh, the unsettling still unsettles, the anticipation of the next chapter remains. We notice something about the way it builds, the masterful hand at work. Like many other readers, we tackle it one chapter each night through the month.<br />
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New to us, but completely captivating and beautifully written is <a href="http://www.petervbrett.com/" target="_blank">Peter V Brett's</a> <i><a href="http://www.petervbrett.com/creations/" target="_blank">The Warded Man</a> (</i>first<i> </i>published in the U.K., as <i>The Painted Man</i>). This is the first book in the Demon Cycle Series.<br />
I am grateful to my friend and talented author <a href="http://www.liamatera.com/" target="_blank">Lia Matera</a>, who recommended <i>The Warded Man </i>so enthusiastically, I had to give it a try. Lia's brilliant. Give her books a try, too.<br />
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The lovely photo above was found on <a href="http://www.morguefile.com/" target="_blank">Morguefile</a>, and is the work of <a href="http://www.morguefile.com/creative/GaborfromHungary" target="_blank">GaborfromHungary</a>, who kindly gave me permission to use it here.<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-59326496146400947482014-10-21T23:10:00.002-07:002014-10-21T23:10:43.669-07:00Real Life Cases: Learn More About Cold Cases <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The National Institute of Justice is offering a free two-day online seminar through t<span style="line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">he Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">"The Science, Law and Politics of Cold Case Investigations on October 30-31 in order to answer critical questions about cold cases and what it takes to resolve them."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.799999237060547px;">The course is free and open to all. Here's a link to learn more about the program:</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOJOJP/bulletins/d5a833">http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOJOJP/bulletins/d5a833</a><br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-2160135938218389842014-10-20T22:26:00.001-07:002014-10-20T22:27:50.058-07:00Only 12 spaces left in SinC Into Great Writing, and they're going fast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Register online <b>before Halloween</b> for Sisters in Crime’s day with forensic science experts, a homicide detective, a cadaver dog handler, and an arson investigator – to be held just before Bouchercon, on Wednesday, November 12!</div>
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Hear from outstanding professionals on processing crime scenes, trace evidence, medical serial killers, cadaver dogs, homicide investigation, and arson investigation. Try your hand at going over a crime scene. All of our experts have experience in the fields they’ll be talking about. You don’t need a science background — just an interest in how scientists and investigators do their work!</div>
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Sisters in Crime is sponsoring this all-day forensic science workshop for its members on the day before Bouchercon. You’ll not only hear from these outstanding experts, you’ll have opportunities to ask questions, learn how to get more information, and get tips on use forensic science research in your writing. A box lunch is included. An all-day forensic science seminar, including a box lunch, for $50.00! The event will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Long Beach.</div>
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Register on the Sisters in Crime Website. <a href="http://sistersincrime.org/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://</span><span style="color: #1155cc;"><wbr></wbr>sistersincrime.</span>org</a></div>
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Sign in as a member, then click on the SinC Into Great Writing VI link, then on “Workshop Registration” just below the title of the event. (Not a member? Join! See the website to learn all about the benefits of membership.)</div>
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Here’s what we have planned:</div>
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7:30 - 8:00 am: Registration</div>
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8:00 - 8:10 am: Welcome and introduction by Hank Phillippi Ryan. Logistics announcements by Jan Burke</div>
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8:10 - 9:00 am: Crime Scene Processing with Donald Johnson</div>
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Don Johnson is a professor of forensic science at CSULA and director of the criminalistics program there. </div>
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9:00 - 9:50 am: Medical Serial Killers with Beatrice Crofts Yorker</div>
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Internationally recognized expert on medical killers, Bea Yorker is the Dean of of the College of Health and Human Services for CSULA, of which the university's forensic science programs are a part.</div>
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9:50 - 10:05 am: Break</div>
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10:05 - 10:55 am: Trace Evidence with Katherine Roberts. </div>
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Like our other experts from CSULA, Dr. Roberts is an extraordinary forensic science researcher with practical experience. She will tell us all about the latest breakthroughs in trace evidence, and what can be learned from it. She is the interim director of the California Forensic Science Institute.</div>
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10:55 - 11:25 am: Question and Answer Session for morning speakers</div>
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11:25 - 11:55 am: Lunch Break (box lunch provided)</div>
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11:55 - 12:40 pm: Hands On Death Investigation: "Two dead at scene."</div>
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You are the trainee detective called out to investigate a double murder. Be on time! Be prepared! Bring your notepad and pen! Veteran LASD Homicide Detective Elizabeth Smith will provide an interactive experience for you in crime scene investigation.</div>
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12:40 - 1:30 pm: Working with Dogs to Find Human Remains </div>
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Cat Warren is a cadaver dog handler and the author of a fascinating book on working dogs, <i>What the Dog Knows. </i> </div>
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1:30 - 1:45 pm: Afternoon break fruit/sodas/coffee/tea provided</div>
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1:45 - 2:35 pm: Arson Investigation </div>
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Bob Cheng, Captain of the Arson Investigation Unit of the Long Beach Fire Department, will talk to us about the science of fire investigation.</div>
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2:35 - 3:15 pm: Question and Answer Session for afternoon speakers</div>
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3:15-3:30 pm Break </div>
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3:30-4:30 What Writers Need to Know about Forensic Science and How to Learn More About It </div>
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This will be an interactive session. Jan Burke will talk to you about both the benefits of using forensic science in your writing and some pitfalls to avoid. She’ll tell you how to research forensic science and spend time answering your questions. She’ll also be available after the event to offer you further help. </div>
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-55531154460048420072014-10-20T19:30:00.000-07:002014-10-20T19:30:42.026-07:00Yep, I missed a day. So two today.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I had a long day on Sunday. A good day, but a long one.<br />
About eight hours of traveling or being in airports.<br />
So yeah, no post. But there will be a long one a little later.<br />
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Thanks for your patience!<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-61292664713583637932014-10-18T21:03:00.001-07:002014-10-18T21:03:01.927-07:00A Brief Saturday Evening PostI want to thank all of you who sent suggestions for improving the new sidebar. I will be incorporating them over the coming week. <div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, what am I reading?</div><div><br></div><div>Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.</div><div> "...his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure."<br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-42231712811650558122014-10-17T20:17:00.003-07:002014-10-17T20:17:29.690-07:00Dennis Palumbo on Crime and Science Radio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-XH4W1Pc3I/VEHbZbb22qI/AAAAAAAAAQc/8furvVDoPy8/s1600/DPalumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-XH4W1Pc3I/VEHbZbb22qI/AAAAAAAAAQc/8furvVDoPy8/s1600/DPalumbo.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Doug Lyle and I interview therapist Dennis Palumbo on Crime and Science Radio on Saturday, 10/18. Details here: <a href="http://crimeandscienceradio.com/">http://crimeandscienceradio.com</a></div>
Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-2959588835195346792014-10-16T16:10:00.004-07:002014-10-20T19:33:26.917-07:00As I Prepare to Do A Little Traveling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I spent today trying to catch up on a lot of errands and knocking stuff off of the To-Do list.<br />
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Picking up the shoes from the shoe repair place might have to wait, but at least the sidebar for this blog is cleaner.<br />
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Feel free to let me know if you think there is some other question I should answer under "In case you wondered," to your right.<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-77464260263698077242014-10-15T23:59:00.001-07:002014-10-16T00:00:42.066-07:00Justice Done<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is the newest of my series of six ebooks. <i><a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Justice-Done/Jan-Burke/9781476749174" target="_blank">Justice Done</a> </i>includes four stories and is only $1.99.</div>
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You can purchase and download it <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Justice-Done/Jan-Burke/9781476749174" target="_blank">here</a> or buy it from your favorite e-bookseller.</div>
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The stories are: </div>
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The Quarry</div>
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Miscalculation</div>
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Two Bits</div>
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An Unsuspected Condition of the Heart</div>
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"The Quarry" is a new story about Bunny Slye, a character you met in my story in <i>A Study in Sherlock.</i></div>
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I fell in love with World War I veteran Boniface Slye and his friends Dr. Max Tyndale and Aloysius Hanslow, and their world of the 1920s. I hope you'll enjoy watching them work together to solve the murder of the owner of an abandoned quarry, a neighbor for whom Bunny has no love.</div>
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The last three are reprinted from <i>Eighteen</i>, a collection of my first eighteen short stories. <br />
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"Miscalculation" takes place on the <i>Queen Mary.</i><i> </i>The story has lots of true statistics about the ship and information about its history woven into it, and the key to the mystery is based on a little known fact about its wartime use during World War II. <br />
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"Two Bits" was nominated for an Anthony for Best Short Story. Writing it gave me a chance to solve a historical crime — the most infamous kidnapping in American history prior to the Charles Lindbergh, Jr. case — to my own satisfaction by using it as the inspiration for this one.<br />
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"An Unsuspected Condition of the Heart" is set in the Regency period in England. I'm hoping it will make you laugh and feel a little unsettled all at the same time. I love reading Georgette Heyer, and while I don't pretend to possess her wit, I loved being able to give a nod of appreciation in her direction.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-68632546745985409012014-10-14T23:45:00.001-07:002014-10-14T23:45:21.589-07:00Two November Notes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The event I mentioned yesterday has changed its name. It is now the Veterans Benefit Book Fair. You can learn more about it here: <a href="http://www.veteransbookfair.org/">http://www.veteransbookfair.org</a><br />
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On the Wednesday before <a href="http://www.bouchercon2014.com/" target="_blank">Bouchercon</a>, Sisters in Crime is sponsoring <a href="http://www.sistersincrime.org/?page=131" target="_blank">SinC into Great Writing VI</a>, an all-day program about forensic science and crime scene investigation at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Long Beach. I hope members of the organization will take a look at our terrific lineup. It's only $50, includes a box lunch, and a program that will allow you to talk to leading experts and professionals in their fields. Please let me know if you have questions about the event.<br />
More information and a link to online registration (which closes on 10/31/14) can be found here:<br />
<a href="http://www.sistersincrime.org/?page=131">http://www.sistersincrime.org/?page=131</a><br />
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I'll be describing this event in great detail over the next two weeks.<br />
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-20875829056253073522014-10-13T19:07:00.002-07:002014-10-13T19:11:37.414-07:00Come to the Military Book Fair!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I drove to San Diego to meet with family and friends, and to drop off a donation of books for the upcoming <a href="http://www.militarybookfair.org/event.html" target="_blank">Military Book Fair</a>. I hope you'll be able to join me for this event, which will </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">be held on the <i>U.S.S. Midway</i> Museum on </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Saturday, November 8th 9:00-5:00 PM</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Get full details here:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.militarybookfair.org/event.html">http://www.militarybookfair.org/event.html</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Admission: free with admission to the <i>U.S.S. Midway</i> Museum, which is $10 for San Diegans, and $20 or less for others. See this site for the ticket prices (and buy tickets online and save:) </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.midway.org/hours-tickets">http://www.midway.org/hours-tickets</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll be on a panel at 10:00 AM with J.T. Ellison, T. Jefferson Parker, Charles Todd, Bob Hamer, and Andrew Peterson. Our Panel Master is W. Craig Reed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Iris Johansen, Catherine Coulter, James Rollins, Dale Brown, Ted Bell, Grant Blackwood, D.P. Lyle, and Andrew Kaplan are among the many other authors who will be there, along with some amazing veterans, Navy Seals and Marines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You can help veterans, meet some of your favorite authors, and more! <i>Plus, you get to tour the</i> <i><a href="http://www.midway.org/" target="_blank">Midway</a> Museum</i>! </span></div>
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28238868.post-77067412342348007562014-10-12T14:58:00.000-07:002014-10-12T14:59:43.478-07:00Real Life Cases: Help Solve A 1983 Homicide By Helping Phoenix Police Identify The Victim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Unidentified remains - 831480" class="expand-img-vertical" src="http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/701f36e2032598e188ca3422f1711c9d64f77f17/c=188-0-2462-3032&r=537&c=0-0-534-712/local/-/media/Phoenix/None/2014/10/12/635487120548755558-83-1480-curly-hair.jpg" height="400" itemprop="url" width="300" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did someone resembling this woman disappear from your life in 1983? In August of that year, w<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">itnesses discovered this woman's body by a canal access road near the 4300 block of East Williams Field Road in Phoenix. She is believed to be a </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">Native American, Caucasian or Hispanic woman, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, and she weighed 142 pounds. She had brown eyes and curly, shoulder length brown hair.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: 700; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">The woman had extensive dental work and a lower front teeth bridge implant.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">Please spread the word. Her case is part of a series in the </span><i style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/" target="_blank">Arizona Republic Newspaper</a>, </i><span style="line-height: 22px;">which has teamed up with the Phoenix Police Department and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office to help solve cases involving the unidentifed.</span><i style="line-height: 22px;"> </i><span style="line-height: 22px;">You can find more information here: </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/10/12/phoenix-police-unidentified-woman-1983-831480/17151029/">http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/10/12/phoenix-police-unidentified-woman-1983-831480/17151029/</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">Report information to 602-534-2121 and ask to speak with Detective Stuart Somershoe. Anonymous Tips can be made by calling Silent Witness </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">at 480-948-6377.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">Medical examiner and <a href="https://identifyus.org/en" target="_blank">NamUs</a> case number <a href="https://identifyus.org/en/cases/984" target="_blank">83-1480</a>.</span></span></div>
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Jan Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11995627057411256306noreply@blogger.com0