The Story Behind Forensic Speak
I never set out to write a book about forensic science. I was simply trying to graduate from the Los Angeles Forensic Science Academy.
When I enrolled at the academy, I wanted to deepen my understanding of forensic procedures. Growing up as a coroner’s daughter, I had firsthand experience with death investigations, but I was craving more expansive training in other areas of forensic science so that I could really feel comfortable writing crime fiction authentically.
At the Forensic Science Academy, I was trained by professionals in various crime investigation fields. I learned:
- Death Investigation – Understanding how coroners determine cause and manner of death.
- Ballistics – Studying the types of firearms and how they create forensic evidence; how bullet trajectory.
- DNA – Learning how forensic labs analyze biological samples for criminal investigations.
- Crime Scene Processing – Collecting, documenting, and preserving evidence to maintain its integrity in court.
- Fingerprint Analysis – Understanding ridge patterns, latent prints, and the challenges of forensic comparison.
- Evidence Chain of Custody – Learning how even small mistakes in handling evidence can lead to wrongful convictions.
- The Legal aspects of crime scene investigation and how to prepare evidence and statements for court trials.
- Toxicology – the science behind drug and other substance detection, collection, and analysis.
- Blood Spatter Science – the manner in which blood travels from the body to other surfaces and what this tells you about how a person was attacked.
As part of our requirement to graduate we had to prepare a master project. Everyone else in my 50 person class was heading towards careers in law enforcement, biology or criminalistics. I was the only writer in the group and the greatest need I had at the time was getting all this information into a single source that I could reference when writing.
My solution? I pitched the idea of writing a forensic handbook for crime writers. The head of the academy loved the idea.
I was off and running. And I did graduate!
At first, Forensic Speak was just a graduate project. But when I shared the draft with my writing group, they encouraged me to turn it into a published book. I hesitated—who would read it? Could it really help crime writers tell better stories? I told them I wasn’t interested in going that route, but I’d be happy to answer any questions they had about forensics.
Sometime later, one of my writer friends kept after me to publish the book. She sent me a link to a publisher called Michael Wiese Productions, a well-known, niche publisher for media, film, and TV professionals. MWP had put out a request for book queries; she said I needed to pitch my forensic handbook to them. She felt certain other writers would want the guide.
Upon her suggestion, I crafted a query on my lunch break, I nervously clicked “send.” Within an hour, I had a response:
“We love this idea and your background. Let’s talk.”
It took another year of refining…. What would book would look like? What kind of information would I include? It wouldn’t be a how to commit a murder and get away with it, would it? How it would be formatted? As I was writing the book I spent countless hours interviewing forensic experts—detectives, coroner’s assistants, crime lab analysts, judges, attorneys, toxicologist, and fingerprint specialists—to ensure my book was accurate, practical, and applicable to crime writers and forensic professionals alike.
Eventually, Forensic Speak was born. Since then, it has become a go-to resource for crime novelists, screenwriters, criminology students, and even law enforcement professionals.
One of the hardest parts about writing it? Deciding what to include.
Forensic science is an enormous field that spans multiple disciplines. I wanted to cover everything—autopsies, toxicology, DNA, fingerprints, bloodstain patterns, ballistics, and beyond. But I knew I had to strike a balance between depth and accessibility. My focus became the areas most useful for crime writers, covering crime scene basics, evidence handling, forensic analysis, and courtroom procedures. I used my Forensic Science Academy course outline as a guide.
I also had to consider how much science is too much for a general audience. The goal was to provide enough detail for authenticity without overwhelming writers with unnecessary complexity. I wanted Forensic Speak to be a resource that writers could quickly reference without getting bogged down in technical jargon. At the same time, I knew forensic students, filmmakers, and even professionals might use it—so it had to be factually sound, well-organized, and engaging. I kept the tone light and professional, not textbooky.
I like to think of it as a forensic boot camp that teaches you how to speak forensics fluently. And at the end of the day, Forensic Speak isn’t just for writers—it’s for anyone fascinated by how forensic science really works.
How Forensic Speak Helps Writers Get It Right
Audiences today expect accuracy, and they’ll call out inconsistencies. Many crime fiction fans are also savvy in investigative forensics. If your details are off, they’ll definitely notice.
In the book you’ll find:
- Over 300 forensic terms for storytelling.
- Break downs how real forensic investigations work.
- Detailed info on DNA, toxicology, crime scene investigation, ballistics, fingerprinting and more.
- Insider knowledge from the real life experts.
Want to go further?
Even if you don’t have direct forensic experience, you can still learn. Consider:
- Ride-alongs with local law enforcement.
- Forensic workshops or online courses. (Look into Outliers University!)
- Citizen police academies to learn investigative procedures.
- Expert interviews—real forensic professionals (especially retired ones!) are happy to share insights.
Why Writers & Professionals Love It
I was amazed to learn showrunners on prime time TV crime dramas were using Forensic Speak as a research tool. Professors assigned it in their criminology programs, and forensic instructors integrated it into training manuals for law enforcement professionals. Writers and professionals alike are actively searching for forensic accuracy in storytelling—something this book provides in an easy-to-use format.
- Crime Writers – A one-stop guide for forensic accuracy.
- Criminology Students – Simplifies forensic concepts into practical knowledge.
- Hollywood Writers & Filmmakers – Helps them get the science right in crime dramas.
- Forensic Educators – Used as a training tool for crime scene investigators.
Who Uses Forensic Speak Today?
Since its release, Forensic Speak has taken on a life of its own. I originally wrote it as a resource for crime writers, but it quickly found its way into unexpected places.
Hollywood Writers’ Rooms – Used by crime show creators for accurate storytelling.
University Classrooms – Assigned reading in forensic science and criminology courses.
Crime Novelists & Screenwriters – A must-have reference for writing realistic crime fiction.
Forensic Investigators & Law Enforcement – Used as a training tool for new professionals.
A forensic science instructor once emailed me:
“Your book has become a staple in my training program for new investigators. It explains forensic procedures in a way that makes sense.”
Another writer told me:
“I was getting so many forensic details wrong in my novel. Forensic Speak helped me rewrite crucial scenes and make my story credible.”
Hearing how this book has impacted crime fiction writers, students, and even professionals is truly rewarding. Forensic Speak isn’t just for storytellers—it’s for anyone fascinated by forensic science and real investigative work.
Why Forensic Speak is a Must-Have for Crime Writers
Teaches forensic facts in a digestible, easy-to-apply way.
Helps writers avoid common forensic mistakes that could pull readers out of a story.
Used in Hollywood & universities worldwide by writers, criminology students, and forensic professionals.
Gives crime stories more credibility & realism, making them immersive and believable.
I wrote this book for you—for the writers, filmmakers, and forensic enthusiasts who want to get it right. Whether you’re crafting the next bestselling crime novel or developing a TV drama, Forensic Speak gives you the knowledge and confidence to tell your story with authenticity.
Want to bring forensic accuracy to your crime writing? Get your paperback or digital copy of Forensic Speak today!
