On Saturday evening, join us for A Muddy-Brew-Ha-Ha Party and Auction to benefit the Crime Lab Project Foundation. Of course, we need any items you might wish to donate, including, but not limited to, signed books, critique sessions, one-on-one opportunities (such as going to lunch or dinner with a winner), or character naming privileges.
If you have an item for our auction, please contact Mary Lou Merkel at MLMerk@aol.com to arrange receipt of your donation.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
An Overview of the Planned Events - Part II
Sorry, this is the week before the American Academy of Forensic Science meetings, and I ended up a little swamped with plans for that, so I didn't get this posted before midnight.
Continuing from the post on Tuesday 2/13 --
Saturday November 3
In the morning, we plan an opening 90-minute session that will be a presentation on crime labs and what they really do. (We'll have an announcement about the speaker soon.) You'll get a great overview of crime scene processing, evidence gathering and testing, and what really happens in forensic science labs.
I'll make a short presentation after this session on The Crime Lab Project.
That will be followed by 2 sets of breakout sessions before lunch. As on Friday, you'll have four topics to choose from, and the opportunity to hear from experts in specific fields of forensic science and police procedure.
Lunch together - a box lunch is included in your registration!
Saturday afternoon:
The afternoon 90-minute session on death investigation by Dr. Mary Case promises to be one of the highlights of the conference. Dr. Case is a leading forensic pathologist. I'm going to let Eileen tell you more about this session!
This presentation is followed by another set of breakout sessions.
We'll have another a panel discussion to help you incorporate what you've learned into your writing. This event will also include a Q&A session.
In the evening, join us for dinner, music, and an auction to benefit The Crime Lab Project Foundation! Keep checking back here for more information about "A Muddy Brew Ha-Ha" -- tickets are only $40.
Sunday November 4
A continental breakfast on Sunday morning is included in the price of your registration.
Dr. Doug Lyle will give a presentation that will bring it all together -- a close look at the notion of "A Perfect Murder." Since Doug will be blogging here soon, I'll let him tell you more about this grand finale.
So, as you can see, the program we have planned will give you a solid overview and also allow you to tailor your conference experience to meet your specific interests. You'll be offered six sessions on topics every writer of crime fiction (or any other person interested in forensic science) should know. We plan to give you 24 choices in breakout sessions. In addition to the above, there will be books for sale, and every participant will be given a notebook with further reference material in it.
You won't be a forensic scientist after one weekend. But you'll have solid information from knowledgeable individuals, chances to ask questions, guidance for learning more, and lots of fun!
Yours,
Jan Burke
Continuing from the post on Tuesday 2/13 --
Saturday November 3
In the morning, we plan an opening 90-minute session that will be a presentation on crime labs and what they really do. (We'll have an announcement about the speaker soon.) You'll get a great overview of crime scene processing, evidence gathering and testing, and what really happens in forensic science labs.
I'll make a short presentation after this session on The Crime Lab Project.
That will be followed by 2 sets of breakout sessions before lunch. As on Friday, you'll have four topics to choose from, and the opportunity to hear from experts in specific fields of forensic science and police procedure.
Lunch together - a box lunch is included in your registration!
Saturday afternoon:
The afternoon 90-minute session on death investigation by Dr. Mary Case promises to be one of the highlights of the conference. Dr. Case is a leading forensic pathologist. I'm going to let Eileen tell you more about this session!
This presentation is followed by another set of breakout sessions.
We'll have another a panel discussion to help you incorporate what you've learned into your writing. This event will also include a Q&A session.
In the evening, join us for dinner, music, and an auction to benefit The Crime Lab Project Foundation! Keep checking back here for more information about "A Muddy Brew Ha-Ha" -- tickets are only $40.
Sunday November 4
A continental breakfast on Sunday morning is included in the price of your registration.
Dr. Doug Lyle will give a presentation that will bring it all together -- a close look at the notion of "A Perfect Murder." Since Doug will be blogging here soon, I'll let him tell you more about this grand finale.
So, as you can see, the program we have planned will give you a solid overview and also allow you to tailor your conference experience to meet your specific interests. You'll be offered six sessions on topics every writer of crime fiction (or any other person interested in forensic science) should know. We plan to give you 24 choices in breakout sessions. In addition to the above, there will be books for sale, and every participant will be given a notebook with further reference material in it.
You won't be a forensic scientist after one weekend. But you'll have solid information from knowledgeable individuals, chances to ask questions, guidance for learning more, and lots of fun!
Yours,
Jan Burke
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
An Overview of the Planned Events - Part I
I'm going to let Doug Lyle, Eileen Dreyer, and Lee Lofland talk about their own backgrounds and expertise, and as we go along they'll be telling you more about their sessions at SinC's Forensic University. But I thought I'd give you a rough overview of the event. Since it's a complex event, I'll do this in two parts!
We'll be in St. Louis at the Hilton at the airport -- very reasonable rates and no added transporation costs from the airport! More on the hotel soon.
The following is subject to change as we finalize speakers and events, but here's what is the works for the first two days -- info about the next two days will be posted tomorrow.
Thursday November 1
Two events:
1) Early registrants are eligible for one of the limited spaces at an indoor shooting range. Be one of the first 50 to register, and you can join us at Bull's Eye LLC Indoor Shooting Range. $35 fee includes transportation from hotel, ammunition, safety gear, targets, and assistance from a trained range instructor.
2) Opening reception
Friday November 2
In the morning, Dr. Doug Lyle will present an opening session, "The ABCs of Forensic Science."
This is followed by 2 sets of breakout sessions before lunch. These one-hour sessions will give you a choice of four topics to explore. Pick the areas that most interest you! The sessions will cover topics in forensic science and police procedure, and be taught by experts. We'll tell you more about these topics in future posts, but plans include speakers on forensic anthropology, toxicology (poisons, drugs, etc.), DNA, use of forensic dogs, blood spatter patterns, trauma, cold cases, trace evidence, interrogation, firearms, and much more!
Lunch together - a box lunch is included in your registration!
Friday afternoon:
Lee Lofland will give a presentation on police procedure.
This is followed by another set of breakout sessions.
The final event of the day is a panel discussion to help you incorporate what you've learned into your writing. You will have had six hours of instruction by this point, so we want to give you a chance to think about the information you've received. This event will also include a Q&A session.
Dinner on your own for this night!
We're looking into having an informal forum in the evening -- stay tuned! We'll let you know.
Yours,
Jan Burke
We'll be in St. Louis at the Hilton at the airport -- very reasonable rates and no added transporation costs from the airport! More on the hotel soon.
The following is subject to change as we finalize speakers and events, but here's what is the works for the first two days -- info about the next two days will be posted tomorrow.
Thursday November 1
Two events:
1) Early registrants are eligible for one of the limited spaces at an indoor shooting range. Be one of the first 50 to register, and you can join us at Bull's Eye LLC Indoor Shooting Range. $35 fee includes transportation from hotel, ammunition, safety gear, targets, and assistance from a trained range instructor.
2) Opening reception
Friday November 2
In the morning, Dr. Doug Lyle will present an opening session, "The ABCs of Forensic Science."
This is followed by 2 sets of breakout sessions before lunch. These one-hour sessions will give you a choice of four topics to explore. Pick the areas that most interest you! The sessions will cover topics in forensic science and police procedure, and be taught by experts. We'll tell you more about these topics in future posts, but plans include speakers on forensic anthropology, toxicology (poisons, drugs, etc.), DNA, use of forensic dogs, blood spatter patterns, trauma, cold cases, trace evidence, interrogation, firearms, and much more!
Lunch together - a box lunch is included in your registration!
Friday afternoon:
Lee Lofland will give a presentation on police procedure.
This is followed by another set of breakout sessions.
The final event of the day is a panel discussion to help you incorporate what you've learned into your writing. You will have had six hours of instruction by this point, so we want to give you a chance to think about the information you've received. This event will also include a Q&A session.
Dinner on your own for this night!
We're looking into having an informal forum in the evening -- stay tuned! We'll let you know.
Yours,
Jan Burke
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Looking forward to November 1-4!
I want to thank Joanna and Michelle and all the other members of Sisters in Crime who have set the ball in motion for Forensic University!
This promises to be a great program. All of you who want solid information about forensic science will be hearing from professionals in the field. You'll also receive helpful handout materials with lots of resource and reference information.
That's just part of what SinC's Forensic University will offer to attendees.
Remember that this event is limited to 200 attendees. The registration site is now live, so click here to learn more!
This promises to be a great program. All of you who want solid information about forensic science will be hearing from professionals in the field. You'll also receive helpful handout materials with lots of resource and reference information.
That's just part of what SinC's Forensic University will offer to attendees.
Remember that this event is limited to 200 attendees. The registration site is now live, so click here to learn more!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Welcome to Forensic University--How it Came to Be
Wow. This has been an exciting two months since we proposed the idea of a conference dedicated solely to forensic science. The best part has been the enthusiasm of our featured guests: Jan Burke, Dr. D.P. Lyle, Eileen Dreyer and Lee Lofland.
Little did Michelle Becker and I know when we dreamed up this crazy idea that several of our guests had come to the same conclusion--a conference dedicated to educating writers about forensics was sorely needed. Nervous as two kids asking for prom dates, Michelle and I divvied up the responsibilities for contacting our headliners. She e-mailed Dr. Lyle, and I e-mailed Jan Burke.
The next thing I knew, Michelle was shrieking on the phone, "Doug called! He's in! He's excited."
I thought it was a wrong number and almost hung up on her. Finally, I had the presence of mind to ask, "Who is this?"
"Jo----annnnn---aaaa! It' s Michelle! And Doug is excited."
"And who is Doug?"
"Uh, Dr. Lyle."
Oh. OHHHHH! (All right, I'll quit with the dragging out letters, but you get it, right?)
Then it was my turn to respond to Jan Burke's interested e-mail with a phone call. I was so nervous I couldn't talk.
"Take a deep breath," she said very sweetly. Soon we were chatting up a storm. I had seen Jan at a local library right when Nine came out, so of course I was star-struck. Heck, the book is terrific, and she obviously is very knowledgeable about forensics and the publishing industry.
Jan was thrilled. She'd seen the need for this sort of education.
Next came a lot of hard work--for Tony Hooper, one of our local SinC members. As part of our proposal for national, we needed costs for hotel rooms, meeting rooms, and meals. Michelle and I made two site visits and quickly determined we were in over our heads. Tony said he'd help, but one of us might have to lend him a dog house to sleep in. (Fortunately, his wife was understanding.) With Tony's background as a CEO, we quickly had a spreadsheet to show national.
Next came a conference call with Rochelle Krich, Libby Hellmann, Kathy Wall, Beth Wasson and SJ Rozan. Every one of the national members was enthusiastic about the project.
So here we are.
I once read an interview with an astronaut. "Are you nervous before a launch?" asked the reporter.
"Oh, heck no. Why would I be nervous? I'm sitting there on top of tons of explosives waiting for someone to light a match to it."
Yeah, that about covers it. We're nervous, but the sky's the limit. Fasten your seatbelts!
Joanna
Little did Michelle Becker and I know when we dreamed up this crazy idea that several of our guests had come to the same conclusion--a conference dedicated to educating writers about forensics was sorely needed. Nervous as two kids asking for prom dates, Michelle and I divvied up the responsibilities for contacting our headliners. She e-mailed Dr. Lyle, and I e-mailed Jan Burke.
The next thing I knew, Michelle was shrieking on the phone, "Doug called! He's in! He's excited."
I thought it was a wrong number and almost hung up on her. Finally, I had the presence of mind to ask, "Who is this?"
"Jo----annnnn---aaaa! It' s Michelle! And Doug is excited."
"And who is Doug?"
"Uh, Dr. Lyle."
Oh. OHHHHH! (All right, I'll quit with the dragging out letters, but you get it, right?)
Then it was my turn to respond to Jan Burke's interested e-mail with a phone call. I was so nervous I couldn't talk.
"Take a deep breath," she said very sweetly. Soon we were chatting up a storm. I had seen Jan at a local library right when Nine came out, so of course I was star-struck. Heck, the book is terrific, and she obviously is very knowledgeable about forensics and the publishing industry.
Jan was thrilled. She'd seen the need for this sort of education.
Next came a lot of hard work--for Tony Hooper, one of our local SinC members. As part of our proposal for national, we needed costs for hotel rooms, meeting rooms, and meals. Michelle and I made two site visits and quickly determined we were in over our heads. Tony said he'd help, but one of us might have to lend him a dog house to sleep in. (Fortunately, his wife was understanding.) With Tony's background as a CEO, we quickly had a spreadsheet to show national.
Next came a conference call with Rochelle Krich, Libby Hellmann, Kathy Wall, Beth Wasson and SJ Rozan. Every one of the national members was enthusiastic about the project.
So here we are.
I once read an interview with an astronaut. "Are you nervous before a launch?" asked the reporter.
"Oh, heck no. Why would I be nervous? I'm sitting there on top of tons of explosives waiting for someone to light a match to it."
Yeah, that about covers it. We're nervous, but the sky's the limit. Fasten your seatbelts!
Joanna
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