This week's #TuesdayTip is a recommended watch. Code Blue: The Killing of June Fox-Roberts, available free on ITVX in the UK.
https://www.itv.com/watch/code-blue-the-killing-of-june-fox-roberts/2a5302
I'm recommending this two-part documentary because not only is a fascinating fly-on-the-wall documentary following a horrific and tragic murder investigation, but because it shows the police investigation beyond just the usual 'forensics and following leads' that we see in many of these shows.
I'm not going to give away too many details, in case you are unfamiliar with the investigation and want to follow it through to the end. But in summary, June Fox-Roberts, a 65-year-old grandmother, was found by her daughter dead in her home near Pontypridd, South Wales in November 2021. She had been dismembered and beheaded with an axe and an attempt had been made to clean up the scene. Her limbs and head were missing.
The documentary follows the police from the very start of the investigation, and includes lengthy interviews with June's family as they come to terms with the horrific circumstances of the killing. As a writer of crime fiction, I found it a useful reminder of the human cost behind such crimes. The investigation itself was pretty standard fare; it yielded little in the way of new procedural details for me to incorporate into future books, although others may find it more useful. That being said, if you are looking to build a realistic investigative team for your books, the various job titles for the different specialists are worth noting and it was interesting to see the meetings between detectives and forensic and search experts as they formulated their strategies before commencing their tasks. All too often in fiction you could be forgiven for believing that a body is found and within half-an-hour, the paper-suit brigade are traipsing around the crime scene hunting for clues.
You might not want to incorporate all the details of these meetings in your book, but references to them taking place adds authenticity. Since this occurred in November 2021, there were some interesting clues as to how the police, like the rest of society, were learning to live with covid; some officers were without masks, whilst others clearly felt more comfortable with them.
Most of all, the candid interviews with family and police gave me insight into the impact on all concerned. It was clear to see that for many of the officers involved, the scene that greeted them was something they could never unsee. June's daughter, who found the body, was clearly still in shock months later. She admitted that she hadn't really started grieving properly. June's other daughter had to endure cruel speculation on social media that she was the culprit and her interview was heart-rending.
As crime writers, it is important not to forget that there is a human story behind the crimes we portray. And that everyone involved, whether it be the victim, their loved-ones or the professionals that deal with the crime, will be impacted in some way.
Did you see the programme? What did you think? Have you any other recommended shows?
Feel free to comment here or on social media.
Until next time.
Paul
If you are a writer with a tip to share, or fancy writing a fictional interview between you and one of your characters, please feel free to email me.

Buy From Amazon.
​Buy From Bookshop.org to support independent sellers.

Today's #TuesdayTip is another book review. This time it's the brilliant "The Real CSI. A Forensic Handbook For Crime Writers", by Kate Bendelow.
Bendelow has the unusual distinction of not only being a currently serving forensic scientist with Greater Manchester Police, but she is also the author of two novels featuring CSI Maya Barton. Because of this, the handbook is very much geared towards writers.

I was really impressed with this book. Although it has been around for a few years (2017), it's still going to be pretty much up-to-date for a few more years yet, and of course a lot of things don't change. These sort of books tend to fall into two categories - what I call 'dippy books', where you dip into or out of them using the extensive index to find the specific topic you want to read about, and 'cover to cover' books, where you sit down with a cuppa and read from the beginning to the end.

Unusually this book is both. The first chapter, 'A day in the life of a real CSI' is a chapter to be read in one sitting. As are the next couple, 'Dealing with death' and 'Crime scene preservation'. After then, the book is divided into more broad chapters with lots of subsections, such as Fingerprints, DNA, Footwear, Trace evidence, Fire scenes, Drugs and toxicology, and Firearms. You can either read the whole chapter, or home in on a subsection, such as "issues affecting fingerprint quality".

​The science is well written and detailed and aimed broadly at a general audience. Those who haven't studied science since they were at school may find themselves Googling the odd term that they aren't familiar with or accessing the glossary at the end, but generally speaking it's pretty accessible.
Another advantage that this book has over some in the field, is that Bendelow is still working as a CSI, rather than looking back on a career or observing from afar. This is real boots-on-the-ground stuff and helps dispel the myths as portrayed on TV or in fiction. Obviously, as writers we are more concerned with telling a story than 100% accuracy, but it's always best to learn what the rules are before you decide to break them.

One of the things I like about this book is that the writing is very personable, with plenty of examples of true life cases. Both infamous tales that you may have heard of, and those that Bendelow has encountered personally in her day job. What demonstrates that Bendelow is herself a writer, is that almost every section ends with thoughts about how a writer could use what she has just described or things to be careful of.

Overall, I was very impressed and very much recommend it to both writers and those who just want to know a bit more. And to quote the wonderful Lynda La Plante 'Every crime writer should have a copy of this book on their desk.' Who am I to disagree?

If you are a writer with a tip to share, or fancy writing a fictional interview between you and one of your characters, please feel free to email me.

Until next time,
All the best,
Paul