Pour Me a Stiff One: Death Investigation Explained for Writers
Jennifer Dornbush, forensic specialist and crime writer, will walk you through the inner workings of death investigation and how to create authentic death investigation scenes for those story moments when you need “to drop a body.” All this, in a safe, non-gory setting… with a little gallows humor.
Creators of crime dramas, mysteries, thrillers, or suspense will inevitably come across a dead body… maybe several. Corpses contain a body of evidence and thus, the keys to unlocking our fictional crimes.
Jennifer Dornbush, forensic specialist and crime writer, will walk you through the inner workings of death investigation and how to create authentic death investigation scenes for those story moments when you need "to drop a body.” All this, in a safe, non-gory setting… with a little gallows humor.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
- What happens to a body once it enters the morgue
- What is the proper way to process a body and retain evidence
- When is an autopsy required
- How an autopsy is performed
- What is the chain of custody
- How is the cause of death determined
- What is the difference between a medical examiner and a coroner
- How does a body decompose
- What happens to a body after it leaves the scene of death
- How we can tell if someone is really dead
- How grief can emotionally charge your crime stories
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Beginning, emerging, or experienced crime writers
- Writers who want access to the inner workings of the coroner’s office
- Writers wanting a more professional edge when creating death investigation scenes
- Writers looking to sharpen and elevate their crime writing skills
- Writers who want to be more authentic in their voice and storytelling
- Writers who want to jump-start a new crime story
- Writers who are having trouble making their story stand out
- Writers who want to gain a competitive edge
Learn from an expert instructor!
Jennifer Graeser Dornbush is a screenwriter, author, international speaker, and forensic specialist. Raised as the daughter of a medical examiner whose office was in their home, forensics is infused into her DNA.
As a screenwriter, she wrote the theatrically released film and novel, God Bless the Broken Road (2018), and has worked in TV developing, and writing both original and adapted work. As an author, Jennifer penned the crime writer’s guide Forensic Speak; suspense thriller, Hole in the Woods; and mystery series The Coroner’s Daughter, optioned by Lifetime TV. She is also penning the scripts. Jennifer contributed to the upcoming Murder, Music & Mystery anthology (Blackstone, 2022). She is a sought-out teacher, speaker, and mentor. Connect with Jennifer on IG @JGDornbush. www.jenniferdornbush.com
Top screenwriting and film publication, founded in 1989, published by Active Interest Media. Twitter: @scriptmag
