The Graveyard Shift Blog

Since 2008, Lee Lofland has written over 2000 articles on his blog, The Graveyard Shift. Topics such as police procedure, forensics, criminal behavior, and what it’s like to be a cop has helped countless numbers of popular and aspiring writers.

His life’s mission – to remind writers that cordite is dead and gone. Just say no to cordite in your books!

Holiday Gifts For The Protagonist Who Has Everything

  Are you still searching for that special holiday gift for the protagonist who has everything? Here are a few suggestions.   Taurus 1911 .45 ACP Price - Approximately $600 Large frame pistol Holds 8 rounds…
Then came the scarlet letter

Weekend Road Trip: Salem, Massachusetts

  Salem Witch Museum Statue of Roger Conant, the first settler of Salem. This statue stands in the intersection in front of the Witch Musem. A short walk from the museum led to some interesting discoveries. Hawthorne…
Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

Friday’s Hereoes: Remembering The Fallen

Reserve Officer Curtis Jones, 74 New Orleans Police Department Officer Jones was killed in an automobile accident on November 29, 2008, when his patrol car left the highway and struck a tree. Officer Robert Davis, 26 San Antonio…

Composite Sketches

  Compostite sketch of Chicago strip mall shooter. Composite sketching has been around for longer than most people think. The first drawing system for the purpose of criminal identification was devised in 1896. In 1910, a drawing…
Contest Winner

Theft Detection Products

  Invisible Fluorescent Pen This pen is used to mark porous items, such as currency and other paper. The pen's markings become visible when exposed to UV light.   Fluorescent crayons can be used to secretly mark a variety…

Constitutional Search Warrant Requirements

  Contrary to the belief of some, and to the image that's sometimes portrayed on television, police officers cannot enter a private residence without a warrant or permission to do so. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but…
killer with knife

Cops and Knives

  Someone asked me to write a blog about the types of knives carried and used by law-enforcement officers. Here are a few examples of those edged weapons. The Bi-Polar knife has two blades and has the capability of cutting anything…
Contest Winner

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm going to leave this up through a day of left-overs. We are having a meeting this afternoon with the folks from Just Write Sites, our site buider and host, about the site upgrades and the online  police academy classes. We'll keep you posted…
Karen Olson

Karen Olsen: State Troopers, Sacred Cows, and Obscene Phone Calls

  Karen E. Olson is the author of the Annie Seymour mysteries. The fourth in the series, SHOT GIRL, is available now. She is also working on a new series with a tattoo shop owner in Las Vegas. THE MISSING INK will be out in July. She…
Online Class

Online Class in Police Procedure and Crime Scene Investigation

  We here at The Graveyard Shift have been toying with the idea of teaching an online course in Police Procedure and Crime Scene Investigation. I'm curious if there'd be any interest before I start this massive ball rolling. Some of…
Tid-Bits

Tid-Bits

  As luck would have it my fever returned yesterday, in full force. I probably won't be around  much today, but here are a few photos to occupy your time.
dementia

Weekend Road Trip: Don’t Mess With Lady Speeders!

An older lady gets pulled over for speeding... Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer? Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding. Older Woman: Oh, I see. Officer: Can I see your license please? Older Woman: I'd give it to you but…
Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

Friday’s Heroes: My Surgical Team

  This week I'd like to take a moment to thank the folks at the Lahey Clinic Burlington (below) and Newton-Wellesley Hospital (above). I'm not so sure I'd be writing this blog today if they hadn't been there for me.   Lahey…
walking

Flash Bangs

  Flash Bangs, or Noise Flash Diversionary Devices (NFDD), are an important part of the modern law enforcement toolbox. When properly used, these devices that are capable of generating 3,000 degrees (F) and 10,000 PSI are real life-savers.…
12 facts about interrogation

Interviewing Techniques: Silence Is Not Always Golden

  Interviews and interrogations are often taped, but a good interrogator will still make good use of a pen and paper during questioning. An effective interviewer will make a written response to each question answered by the suspect.…

My Aching Bones

  As you can see I'm still not feeling so hot. I hope to be back later in the week. I go back for more tests today. Sorry I missed everyone at Crime Bake. The Bulletin Board - Ohio police arrested more than three-dozen people…

I Spent The Day In The Hospital, AGAIN!

  I'm sorry to say, folks, that there won't be any new posts until Monday at the earliest. This morning I was whisked off to the emergency room at 7am where I remained until a few minutes ago. The insistent, nasty fever and infection…
Contest Winner

200 Word Short Story Contest Winner

The Paradox of Brevity: What short-shorts can teach us about writing by Linda Landrigan, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine editor Good short stories, for me, are closer to poetry than to novels. Nuanced and evocative, good short stories…