Storytellersunplugged

The subject of this essay was suggested by one of our readers named Fotini, whom I thank. Systems designed by nature are sometimes less than perfect, and those designed by humans are ocertainly not perfect. An example is our criminal justice system. A 1995 book describing a 10-year study of evidence and assessments gathered from criminal justice system personnel indicated that approximately 0.5 percent of persons convicted of felonies were probably innocent. If the estimate is accurate, that amounts to some 10,000 innocent persons ... Read More

If there ever was someone who seemed destined to lead a life of crime, it was Ernesto Arturo. He was born in Arizona in 1941. By the time he was in the eighth grade, he had already been convicted of a crime. The following year, he served a year in reform school for burglary and, a month later, was sent right back. He moved to Los Angeles and was soon arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and minor sex offenses. He was ... Read More

There have always been those who would cheat if but given an opportunity to do so. No sooner had the bright light of writing been born as a means of communication, than forgery, which was especially profitable at a time of widespread public illiteracy, came along as its dark and unwanted sibling. The combination eventually led to the birth of forensic document examination. As the latter improved, so did the forgers' skills. Some forgers developed amazing skills. Many, however, were not as ... Read More

According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, a poison is "a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures or impairs an organism" or "a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process." Since there are many types of poisons, only a few of those commonly encountered in novels have room for mention here. For the same reason, acute (relatively quick-acting) poisoning rather than chronic (relatively prolonged) poisoning will be addressed. Many novels and films ... Read More

Lord Byron wrote: But I hate things all fiction...there should always be some foundation of fact for the most airy fabric - and pure invention is but the talent of a liar. Most persons would agree that adding facts to a fictional novel, especially one that includes technical matters, can improve it on several levels. Obviously, facts can make stories more realistic. To readers who enjoy learning things, facts are manna. Readers who especially cherish them are those who can directly relate to ... Read More

In a previous piece, I questioned the advisability of handling crime- scene objects, as they do regularly on television, while wearing gloves. It seemed to me and several commenters that this would damage if not destroy any fingerprints that might be present. Subsequent research supports this assumption. Experts state that touching objects such as a gun, knife, bottle, credit card, etc. where fingerprint impressions might reside can indeed destroy prints. Objects, such as paper, that absorb the residue of fingerprints can be ... Read More

For the files of murder mystery and horror story writers. Benny was feeling luckier than he had ever felt before as he carefully picked his way through dark woods skirting a long-abandoned logging road. After weeks of effort to gain the trust of a major drug dealer, he was about to meet and make a buy from one of the dealer’s runners. The returns he would get when he distributed the drugs would finance a legitimate business he had been planning to establish ... Read More

During his seven years on Earth, Devin had not spent much time with his father.  The latter was a heavy drinker and was spending increasing amounts of time away from home.  When his dad was home, he would frequently have intense arguments with Devin’s mother; and many fights were about Devin.  His mother had never wanted him in the first place, and she had often reminded both Devin and his father of that fact.  On Devin’s eighth birthday, his father had left ... Read More

I read on the first that October is typically a month for short fiction. Well, I'm not an author, so I figured I'd pass on that tradition. Then I saw how many other people were passing on that tradition as well, and changed my mind. STILLED VOICE BEL CANTO I regret to write that as of this issue, we will no longer be featuring original poetry. For the readers who have paid for subscriptions based solely on our magazine's reputation as a publisher of new ... Read More