The Graveyard Shift

You write about cops, private investigators, detectives, CSI techs, and federal agents. And you spend a lot of time researching. Lots of time. And a great deal of that valuable time is spent participating in citizens police academies, attending writers conferences, emailing cops and former cops, visiting police stations, and reading blogs, such as this one.

Sure, you want your details to be good. No, you want them to be fantastic, maybe even perfect. So why do we still see books with cop facts that are totally wrong, especially information and terminology regarding firearms and ammunition?

I won’t jump on the cordite bandwagon again (No, no, and no cordite!), but I will address the terminology that I often read in crime novels. That’s where a lot of the trouble begins. Starting with…

Shotgun v. Rifle

I see these two used interchangeably, and they’re not. Not even close. Yes, they’re both considered long guns, but a rifle has a barrel with spiraled grooves cut into it that cause the projectile (bullet) to spin (think a football thrown by a quarterback). The spinning increases accuracy and the distance the round can travel. Normally, shotgun barrels are not rifled.

Snipers use rifles, not shotguns.

A shotgun has a smooth barrel that’s designed to fire a shell containing several small pellets called shot. When fired, the shot spread out allowing a greater chance of hitting a target. However, a shotgun is basically accurate only at closer distances. But, hitting a moving target, or smaller targets, is much easier with a shotgun than with a rifle.

Officers make use of shotguns at distances of 75 yards and less (distances vary).

Handguns vs. Firearms vs. Pistols vs. Revolvers

I might create a little buzz with this one, but yes, there’s a difference between a pistol and revolver. A revolver is a handgun with a rotating cylinder that feeds ammunition, one bullet at a time, to its proper firing position each time the trigger is pulled. A revolver is a handgun, and it is a firearm.

A handgun, such as the ‘Glock or Sig Sauer, is actually a semi-automatic pistol. Ammunition is fed to the firing position by a spring-loaded magazine. A pistol is also a firearm.

Clip vs. Magazine

It’s a magazine that’s loaded with bullets and inserted into the pistol carried by your protagonists. A clip is actually something that stores ammunition and refills magazines. So please don’t confuse the two.  Officers do not shove a fresh “clip” into their pistol when reloading. Magazine, magazine, magazine!

Ammunition

One round of ammunition is a cartridge.

Pistols, revolvers, and rifles do not fire shells.

Silly writer, shells are for shotguns…

The images and information below are from ATF’s website.

Handgun - Pistol

Note: This illustration shows the primary characteristics exhibited in the Pistol category. Since pistol configurations differ significantly, various models in this classification may exhibit any of the illustrated components in a revised configuration, but not necessarily all components shown will be incorporated in any one given design.
A diagram showing various parts of a pistol and their defined names: the muzzle, grip safety, ejection port, etc.

Handgun - Revolver

Note: This illustration shows the primary characteristics exhibited in the Revolver category. Since revolver configurations differ significantly, various models in this classification may exhibit any of the illustrated components in a revised configuration, but not necessarily all components shown will be incorporated in any one given design.

- A diagram showing various parts of a revolver and their defined names: the cylinder, ejector rod, hammer, etc.

*Notice*

- Only 23 days left until the Writers’ Police Academy! We still have room for you!

- Entries are pouring in for the 200 word short story contest. Have you sent yours? The deadline to enter is September 10. The Golden Donut Award sure would look nice sitting on your desk!

- TNT television is sponsoring an exciting contest to be held exclusively on The Graveyard Shift. Details coming soon! Prizes are really cool. Think Memphis Beat and Rizzolli and Isles. TNT is a sponsor of the Writers’ Police Academy. And, TNT Knows Drama!

Portable body screen prevents rubberneckin’ looky-loos and reporters from seeing the body or other evidence at a crime scene.

Evidence collection kit contains:

1 ea. Master Carrying Case, with foam inserts and divider (21″ L x 14″ W x 10″ H)
1 ea. Shirt Pocket Long Wave 4 Watt UV Lamp, with batteries
1 ea. 5½” Straight Hemostats
1 ea. 6″ Scissors
1 ea. Retractable Tip Carbide Scriber
1 ea. Disposable Scalpel with Retractable Blade
1 ea. Black Evidence Marking Crayon
1 ea. White Evidence Marking Crayon
3 ea. Marking Chalk
20 ea. Nitrile Barrier Gloves
4 ea. 1 oz. Plastic Evidence Collection Jars
4 ea. 2 oz. Plastic Evidence Collection Jars
5 ea. ½ oz. Metal Evidence Collection Containers
5 ea. 1 oz. Metal Evidence Collection Containers
5 ea. 2 oz. Metal Evidence Collection Containers
10 ea. Evidence Security Bags, 5″ x 8″
10 ea. Evidence Security Bags, 9″ x 12″
10 ea. Evidence Security Bags, 12″ x 15″
10 ea. Paper Evidence Security Bags, 5¼” W x 3½” D x 10¾” L
10 ea. Paper Evidence Security Bags, 7″ W x 4½” D x 13¾” L
10 ea. Paper Evidence Security Bags, 12″ W x 7″ D x 17″ L
10 ea. Kraft Evidence Security Envelopes, 6½” x 9½”
10 ea. Kraft Evidence Security Envelopes, 9″ x 12″
5 ea. Small Evidence Boxes, 2¼” L x 1¼” W x ¾” H
5 ea. Small Evidence Boxes, 2¾” L x 1¾” W x 1 1/8″ H
5 ea. Small Evidence Boxes, 3½” L x 2½” W x 1½” H
1 ea. 3½” Diameter Magnifying Glass
1 ea. Flashlight, with batteries
1 ea. Sawtooth® Evidence Tape, red
1 ea. Permanent Ink Evidence Marker
10 ea. Paper Evidence Tags
10 ea. Plastic Evidence Tags

Animal cruelty forensic kit containing items such as:

Bags, tags, tongue depressors, swabs, presumptive blood tests, thermometers, protective gear, and insect collection material and containers.

Trace evidence metal detection spray (or powder). Solution is sprayed on a suspect’s hands for the purpose of detecting traces of metal from tools and/or weapons. Investigators illuminate the test area (hand) with a UV light to make the minute particles of metal visible.

Sometimes, the actual shape of the object can be seen on the crook’s hand.

*Notice*

- Only 24 days left until the Writers’ Police Academy! We still have room for you!

- Entries are pouring in for the 200 word short story contest. Have you sent yours? The deadline to enter is September 10. The Golden Donut Award sure would look nice sitting on your desk!

- TNT television is sponsoring an exciting contest to be held exclusively on The Graveyard Shift. Details coming soon! Prizes are really cool. Think Memphis Beat and Rizzolli and Isles. TNT is a sponsor of the Writers’ Police Academy. And, TNT Knows Drama!