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Jennifer Dornbush
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Forensic Speak: How to Write Realistic Crime Dramas Kindle Edition

by Jennifer Dornbush (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 38 ratings
Crime stories have always intrigued viewers and storytellers. Today, crime shows rule the airwaves and there is truly a procedural drama out there for every personality — and every writer. Born out of the author’s real-life experiences growing up around death investigation, Forensic Speak unlocks the secrets of forensic science for writers and fans alike. With a filmography of 100 film and TV examples and 80 additional resources, the book provides writers direct access to hundred of ways to make their crime writing more authentic.
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  1. Print length
    289 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Michael Wiese Productions
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    March 21, 2012
  6. File size
    15.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jennifer Dornbush is a TV and film writer, crime scribe, forensic science maven, and writing instructor. When not making visits to the coroner’s office or hanging out with CSIs, Jennifer is penning scripts. Jennifer and her two co-writers were awarded Humanitas’ New Voices Prize and are presently developing their half-hour comedy pilot, Home Bodies. Her TV drama pilot, The Coroner’s Daughter, was a second-round pick at the Austin Screenplay Competition. Prior to that she was a semi-finalist in NBC’s Writers on the Verge with a one-hour procedural spec. Her family feature script, Mulberry Lane, is currently optioned with Fools Errand Films. www.jenniferdornbush.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BX2BB7U
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Michael Wiese Productions
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 21, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 15.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 289 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1615931606
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

About the author

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Jennifer Dornbush

Jennifer Dornbush

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Jennifer Dornbush is a screenwriter, author, international speaker and forensic specialist. As she says, “I grew up around death.”

The television or movie screen is the closest most people will ever come to witnessing the forensic world. But Jennifer was raised in it. As the daughter of a small town medical examiner whose office was in their home. There were body parts in the fridge. She investigated her first fatality, an airplane crash, when she was 8 years old. Picking up pieces of skull with her father who simply saw it as an anatomy lesson. The first of many coroner lessons she experienced over two decades.

After exploring journalism and high school teaching, Jennifer turned seriously to screenwriting where she began to connect her coroner world to her writing. She sought out a degree at the Forensic Science Academy in Los Angeles to gain more forensic training and earned a unique kinship with LA’s top CSIs, fingerprint specialists, DNA scientists and detectives.

To share her love of forensics with the writing world, she authored the top selling non-fiction authoritative book, Forensic Speak, used by not only by show-runners and writers, but also crime investigators and law enforcement.

She created an Amazon top-selling mystery novel series, The Coroner’s Daughter. The first book in the series, The Coroner, released in 2018. The second in the series, Secret Remains, released January 2020. She is developing the series for TV with Liftetime.

She wrote the theatrically released film and novel, God Bless the Broken Road (2018) on Netflix. Also she adapted a popular YA novel to script and sold a children’s show.

As a forensic consultant, she is frequently asked to consult with TV writers on shows such as: Bull, Conviction, Hawaii Five-O, Leverage, Suits and Rectify. She teaches screenwriting and mentors aspiring writers.

Jennifer is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni.

And she has a great sense of gallows humor.

Join her newsletter at: www.jenniferdornbush.com

Follow in IG: @jgdornbush

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
38 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an amazing resource for crime writers, taking them through the basics of forensic investigation. They appreciate its readability, with one customer noting its well-researched content. The book includes personal stories and humor, making it enjoyable to read.

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ReadabilityForensicsHumor
10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and informative, particularly praising it as an amazing resource for crime writers.

"An amazing resource for crime writers!..." Read more

"What an excellent book from an excellent author...." Read more

"...Jennifer Dornbush’s book was a excellent resource for my script and also a very intriguing read!..." Read more

"I enjoy her writing and the examples provided, but the physical book itself is very wide...." Read more

4 customers mention "Forensics"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book takes readers through the basics of forensic investigation, with one customer highlighting its detailed explanations of death investigations.

"...comes to the aid of life" to a new level with the explanations of how death is investigated...." Read more

"...Taking you through the basics of forensic investigation, the terms and the use of them in current films and TV as well as in real life!..." Read more

"...Dornbush gives us easy access to the language and methodology of forensic investigations and uses personal stories and humor to make the subject..." Read more

"I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT POLICE PROCEDURES AND HOW THE FORCE COMMUNICATES WITH EACH OTHER. A GREAT REFERENCE BOOK!" Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with one mentioning how it incorporates personal stories and application.

"...methodical with just enough humor and application to keep it moving and fun...." Read more

"...language and methodology of forensic investigations and uses personal stories and humor to make the subject matter more engaging...." Read more

"super helpful and fun..." Read more

Oddly-shaped, but good material
4 out of 5 stars
Oddly-shaped, but good material
I enjoy her writing and the examples provided, but the physical book itself is very wide. Not tall, but wide (11 inches), so it's unnecessarily unwieldy for those of us who write on the go or in smaller spaces. Photo for comparison of how short, but wide it is (compared to Lee Lofland's Police Procedure book and Jane Cleland's Suspense & Structure book underneath)
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Gail Graeser
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gail
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    What an excellent book from an excellent author. Jennifer takes the quote "Death comes to the aid of life" to a new level with the explanations of how death is investigated. Without the help of all of the "aids" shown in this book, the screen-writer or crime writer might not be able to accurately portray or describe the scenes of death and destruction that he/she would like to show in their story. Therefore, this will be an invaluable book for the research needed to accurately and succinctly put together stories and TV shows related to crime. For the writer who needs to know the most accurate information on death investigation for the story they are writing, look no further than FORENSIC SPEAK. All of the research has already been done for you. So, enjoy the book and congratulate the author who has done a "bang up" job. Great work Jennifer!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Michael Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book of forensics for screenwriters and those interested in this line of work!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    As a screenwriter you are always on the hunt for authenticity. Jennifer Dornbush’s book was a excellent resource for my script and also a very intriguing read! Taking you through the basics of forensic investigation, the terms and the use of them in current films and TV as well as in real life! The insights I gained were the key to unlocking a whole new world for my script and also enhanced my enjoyment of other forensic-based media! Great job and a book well worth the price!
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  • Hart
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing resource for crime writers
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    An amazing resource for crime writers! Jennifer Dornbush gives us easy access to the language and methodology of forensic investigations and uses personal stories and humor to make the subject matter more engaging. A must-read for any writer who wants their scripts and novels to ring true.

    I also recommend Jennifer's online class, "Forensic Fundamentals & New Trends: Creating Authentic Crime Scenes."
    Helpful
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  • H.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Oddly-shaped, but good material
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I enjoy her writing and the examples provided, but the physical book itself is very wide. Not tall, but wide (11 inches), so it's unnecessarily unwieldy for those of us who write on the go or in smaller spaces.
    Photo for comparison of how short, but wide it is (compared to Lee Lofland's Police Procedure book and Jane Cleland's Suspense & Structure book underneath)
    Customer image
    H.
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Oddly-shaped, but good material

    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2023
    I enjoy her writing and the examples provided, but the physical book itself is very wide. Not tall, but wide (11 inches), so it's unnecessarily unwieldy for those of us who write on the go or in smaller spaces.
    Photo for comparison of how short, but wide it is (compared to Lee Lofland's Police Procedure book and Jane Cleland's Suspense & Structure book underneath)
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Helpful
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  • TechChick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Such an amazing tool for writers of all genres - the Kindle edition is especially useful, since it becomes easily searchable and is, of course, portable. I'm so grateful that Ms. Dornbush took the initiative to provide writers with information that is otherwise not readily or reliably available, even in this age of the internet. It's become an invaluable tool for me as a writer.
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  • Mollie S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for any crime writer!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book has a plethora of useful information. It's a great read with the author's personal stories throughout. Also a wonderful resource to be used for reference in a TV writers room or in just to have on your shelf as you're writing a pilot, feature, or novel. Cannot recommend this book enough!
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  • Donna G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars D.graeser
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was well researched and methodical with just enough humor and application to keep it moving and fun. Jennifer's growing up years were extraordinary and certainly laid impetus for a career in both writing and screenplay. I look forward to more!
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  • Judy Koole
    5.0 out of 5 stars Soooo Good and informative
    Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I purchased this book and started reading it. The introduction is really nice and made you feel like she is talking to you. I can not wait to get into all of the book. It is well worth your money and time to get this book.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • JJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Now this was a fun/interesting book! I devour crime shows and have picked up a few things, but this book puts it into order and tells you the most important things. As a crime writer, it is good for both ideas and as first stop research. It's easily written and not cluttered. Loved this one!
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  • Charles Michaud
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must for your library.
    Reviewed in Canada on October 6, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    As a budding writer, I found "Forensic Speak: How to Write Realistic Crime Drama" by Jennifer Dornbush an essential tool for writing down-to-earth realistic murder mysteries. She goes through the forensic lingo, where you see it, and how to apply it. This book also offers tons of resources.

    Enjoy!
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