Criminal Justice USA

Private Eye Reading: The Top 50 Detective Blogs

Posted by Site Administrator on 01/22/2009 | 0 Comments

By Kelsey Allen

True crime stories have intrigued the masses for as long as crime has been around. Whether people want to understand the psychology behind the crime, are just curious to get the gossip, or, like a puzzle, want to figure out the details to solve the crime, the desire to get the scoop is a strong one. These sites bring the detectives and their work to you through the the writings on their blogs. Whether you want to read about detectives on the police force, private eyes, British detectives, true crime, or even a little bit about fictional detectives, these blogs will provide you with hours of crime and criminals.

On the Force

These blogs are written by members of the police force who can share first-hand experience of crime and investigation.

1. Cerberus at the gate. Newly retired, this detective shares his life experiences and offers plenty of valuable information to anyone stopping by for a read.
2. View from the cop. This retired policeman blogs about community watch issues, the criminals, and the police who catch them.
3. LAPD Blog. While not just focusing on detectives, this blog does read like a script from Law & Order with detailed descriptions of crimes occurring in LA.
4. Detective Shaved Longcock. Despite the title that sounds more pornographic than law enforcement, this blog features news and funny posts relating to police work.
5. The Philosophical Cop Police Blog. This police officer has worked on the force for ten years and has experience in many different departments. His blog offers stories, advice, and he also enjoys answering "Ask a Cop" questions.
6. The Johnny Law Chronicles. This popular and hard-hitting blog brings plenty of information, news, and opinion about being an officer.

In Business for Themselves

These blogs are all written by private investigators who currently practice. Their backgrounds are varied, with ex-police, lawyers, and more writing about their detective work.

7. Crime, Guns, and Videotape. Written by an ex-detective from Chicago and currently working as a private investigator, this detective writes about police work, personal security, and politics.
8. The Investigator’s Notebook. This real-life PI in Dallas, TX blogs about a wide variety of topics including politics, interesting found items, and what he goes through in the course of his work.
9. Jan B. Tucker: Private Investigator & Political Activist. This popular private eye blogs about politics in Los Angeles and the nation as well as his life.
10. HI-CALIBER Private Investigations. This blog relates real crimes and analyzes what happened and what can be done if you are ever in a similar situation.
11. El Scott Harrell. Ex-Navy intelligence, this private investigator is one of three in the country that is qualified to develop training programs. His blog features PI news and information, and is peppered with jokes that may leave some feeling uncomfortable.
12. Sneaky Private Investigators Blog. Find private eye tips on everything from screening nannies to employment history usage.
13. Sherlock’s Case Files. This real-life Sherlock provides information, news, and even asks readers to help with ongoing cases from time to time.
14. Private Investigator Stories. Posts here are written by guests who share their stories, news, or interesting information for PIs or those interested in the subject.
15. The Candid Private Investigator. Specializing in public record research, this blog covers lots of topics related to privacy and personal protection.
16. Private Investigators – PInow.com. PInow.com specializes in finding PIs for hire around the world, and their blog offers plenty of PI news that may be of interest to anyone considering hiring a PI or interested in PIs in the news.
17. Private Investigator Hints, Tricks, and Tips. Private investigators or PI wannabes will enjoy all the helpful information on this blog, despite the infrequent postings.
18. PIBuzz.com. The "official" blog of PI Magazine, this blog offers useful information for investigators and interested parties alike.
19. Private Eye Confidential. This private investigator from California blogs about such interesting topics as Facebook as an investigation tool and surveillance success.
20. Sting Investigations – Private Investigative Issues. From promoting fellow private investigators to sharing PI-related news stories to motivational posts, this blog covers it all.
21. PrivateSpy.net. With plenty of stories about privacy violations around the world, this blog will open your eyes to ways you should protect yourself.
22. New Hampshires Best – Nickels Private Investigations. From stalking to white collar crime, this blog informs readers on the latest happenings in the legal and PI worlds.

British Detectives

Home of Scotland Yard, the most famous murderer of all time–Jack the Ripper, and such famous fictional detectives as Sherlock Holmes and the anything-but-dotty Miss Marple, Great Britain is the home to great detective stories both real and fictional. These blogs bring the best of real British detectives to life.

23. The Policeman’s Blog. With both Canadian and British bloggers here, you can read about crime outside the US from the policeman’s perspective.
24. Police Inspector Blog. This ex-British Army soldier is now a police inspector in the rural English countryside and writes about his experiences.
25. PC Bloggs – a Twenty-first Century Police Officer. This British policewoman and published author shares what its like to work on the force.
26. Nightjack – An English Detective. Get a feel for what it’s like to be a detective on the British police force with these insightful posts about the life of a detective.
27. De-tec-tive. This detective from the UK offers a view of the work, politics, and more involved in detecting on the police force.
28. The Thin Blue Line. Moving from a new officer to detective, this blogger shares what it’s like on the force.
29. Intelligence Detective. This detective doesn’t hold back on his realistic description and editorials of life as a detective.
30. CSI: UK. Claiming no resemblance to the popular American TV show, this CSI in the UK blogs about the real deal.
31. Panda Tales. This real-life constable shares his experiences on the beat.
32. The Twining Chronicles – A British Police News Feed. A black police sergeant, Twining blogs about race and policing in an honest and direct manner that is worth having on your blogroll.

You Be the Detective

These blogs let you play detective–or at least feel like you were on the scene–with reports and analyses of true crimes.

33. Crime Scene Blog. Read about crimes occurring in the San Gabriel Valley at this blog run by the SGV Tribune.
34. South Bay Crimes & Courts. Get the latest in crime news from the South Bay area and even help solve a few when the posts ask for reader help.
35. Bonnie’s Blog of Crime. This blogger posts crime stories, some of which are closed, but most are open and ready for readers to offer any help they can with missing persons and similar incidents.
36. In Cold Blog. The writers on this blog are all professionals–writers, lawyers, journalists–and share true crime stories that are still under investigation or playing out in the courts.
37. The Crime Scene. Find out from the OC Register what kind of crime is taking place in the Orange County area.
38. The Criminal Report Daily. Get a daily dose of true crime cases with this blog written by David Lohr.
39. Bizarre Crime of the Week Report. From scorned wives to death by initiation rituals for a hate group, you’ll find plenty of strange crimes here each week.
40. The Malefactor’s Register. Read about true crimes from the early 1900’s to present day in this well-done blog.

Detectives on Paper

While many believe that truth is stranger than fiction, fiction certainly does keep its readers entertained. The following blogs are about fictional detectives, crime stories, and murder mysteries.

41. The Thrilling Detective Blog. This bookseller writes about a wide variety of detective literature and writers from pregnant PIs to crime comics.
42. If You Want to Know About My Life…. Gerald So blogs about crime, detectives, and mystery fiction as well as a bit about his life as a writer of such.
43. Detectives Beyond Borders. This international detective fiction blog covers fiction from around the world with a focus on detectives and crime.
44. The Rap Sheet. Take a look at the best in crime fiction at this blog that also offers a "best of" contest at the end of each year.
45. Secret Dead Blog. Crime comics, pulp fiction, and news of the fiction crime world all get equal parts in this blog written by Duane Swierczynski.
46. Guns in the Gutters. Written by a professional comic book and short fiction writer, this blog discusses graphic novels and comics that have a focus on crime, criminal, and those who investigate it all.
47. These Aye Mean Streets. Russel McLean, popular private eye writer, blogs about himself and the world of detective fiction.
48. The Crime Time Cafe. Describing himself as both a published writer and a Christian, this blog covers both crime and Christianity.
49. L.A. Noir. Not only does this blog cover the world of crime fiction, it also includes a bit of real-life crime happening in L.A.
50. Murderati. This collaborative blog is written by 12 murder and mystery writers and covers crime, fiction, publishing, and the life of a writer.

World Watchdogs: Top 50 Human Rights Blogs

Posted by Site Administrator on 01/13/2009 | 0 Comments

Watching the news isn’t always the best way to stay on top of human rights cases and the politics, economics and social conflicts that affect living conditions around the world. To study up on human rights campaigns, civil liberties groups and the legislation and movements that spread awareness, check out these blogs.

Civil Liberties

Here you can read about civil liberties infringements, including large cases and campaigns promoted by agencies like the ACLU.

1. ACLU Blog of Rights: The American Civil Liberties Union posts about legislation, issues and campaigns that protect, influence and threaten civil liberties and freedom.
2. Committee to Protect Journalists Blog: This blog is all about the freedom of speech, from the U.S. to Zimbabwe to West Africa.
3. Ella Baker Blog: California’s Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is dedicated to turning around the racism, poverty and injustices of American urban communities. Read this blog for commentary about youth violence and more.
4. Harm Reduction and Human Rights: Read this blog to read news and updates from the International Harm Reduction Association, which aims to end the "harms from all psychoactive substances."
5. abyss2hope: This blogger was date raped at the age of 15 and now writes about the legal, security, and cultural issues surrounding sexual violence.
6. Progressive Liberty Blog: Michael Anthony Lawrence writes about the U.S. Constitution, educating Americans about how current events, culture and politics affect our rights and freedoms.
7. Labor is not a Commodity: This international labor rights blog covers child labor, underpaid workers and more.

Capital Punishment

For different perspectives on capital punishment and the death penalty, read these blogs.

8. Capital Defense Weekly: This blog follows high profile cases and reports on state rules for the death penalty and punishment.
9. For Victims, Against the Death Penalty: This is "the web log of murder victims’ families for human rights." Read the arguments against the death penalty from a different perspective here.

Child-Focused

These blogs focus on children’s issues, including poverty and hunger.

10. Children: The Foreign Policy Association’s blog discusses child hunger, fundraising, children in war-torn countries and more.
11. Field Notes: UNICEF’s blog features photos, campaign news, fundraising information and other information about child hunger around the world.
12. The ARCH Blog: The Action on Rights for Children blog comments on government reforms and human rights issues affecting children around the world.

International Outreach

From Darfur to China to Burma, learn about human rights violations around the world.

13. Global Issues: Global Issues contains articles about "social, political, economic and environmental issues that affect us all." Check back often for updates on poverty, racism, military spending and more.
14. Business and Human Rights in Vancouver: This blog takes a look at the special events and projects of the Amnesty International Business and Human Rights chapter in Vancouver.
15. Truly Equal: This blog is no longer active, but you’ll find a great archive of commentary about AIDS, forced prostitution, slavery, Darfur and more.
16. This is Zimbabwe: Better understand the abductions and human rights issues going on in Zimbabwe when you read this blog.
17. Human Rights Now: The Amnesty International USA blog reports on global and regional conflicts, torture, progressive legislation and a lot more.
18. AlterNet: AlterNet’s Rights and Liberties blog covers everything from current political events to everyday human rights violations in lesser known areas.
19. Save Darfur: Learn about the latest campaigns to save Darfur here.
20. Red Cross Blog: Learn how the Red Cross responds to natural disasters, human rights and refugee situations, and more.
21. World Bridge: World Bridge is primarily devoted to spreading awareness about refugees around the world, including Central Africa, Burma and elsewhere.
22. Rights Watchers: The Washington Post’s blog keeps an eye on human rights violations and escalating crises from Russia to the U.S.
23. Amnesty International Livewire: Check this blog for posts from a range of international activists and staff.
24. Global Voices: From Egypt to South America to the Gaza Strip, find out what issues are most important to human rights activists and campaigns around the world.

General Ideology

Take a look at these blogs for a general approach to human rights cases and ideology.

26. The Human Rights Blog: Read about human rights groups in other countries, as well as political and social movements that influence human rights.
27. Talking Rights: Robin Kirk shares news stories and gives commentary on all kinds of human rights issues, from the Congo to Latin America. She has been featured in Glamour and has written three books about Peru and Colombia.
28. Amnesty International UK: Multiple bloggers write about human rights events and issues here.
29. Duke Human Rights Center: Duke University’s Human Rights Center features blogs about local issues, international campaigns and more.
30. Human Rights Blog: Check this human rights blog for news and announcements about human rights movements around the world.

Religion

From specific religious groups spreading awareness to blogs that pinpoint religious persecution, turn to this list.

31. Baha’i Faith in Egypt and Iran: This blog considers the religious persecution inflicted upon the Baha’is of Egypt and Iran.
32. Unitarian Universalist Service Committee: The UUSC blog shares news and spreads awareness about gender protection issues, Darfur and more.
33. Religion News Blog: Besides being a great resource for learning about different religions, this blog reports on the latest issues and conflicts relating to religious culture and ethnic groups.
34. Persecution Blog: Persecution Blog uncovers cases of Christian persecution around the world.
35. The Liberty Blog: The North American Religious Liberty Association writes about religious bigotry, same sex marriage and more.
36. Christian Persecution India: This blogger is passionate about investigating and publicizing Christian persecution in India.

Whistleblowers

Here you can find tip-offs and first-hand looks at human rights violations.

37. This is Not My Country: Discover a depressed town behind the historic landmarks and tourist attractions of Greece when you read this blog.
38. The Hub: The Hub is a social blogging site that allows anyone to spotlight human rights issues and violations and spread awareness.
39. Blogactiv: Here, Europeans connect to spread the word about human rights violations, social justice issues, politics, environmental issues and more.
40. Early Warning: The Washington Post’s William M. Arkin gives Americans a heads-up on homeland security issues that affect their privacy and civil liberties.

Politics

These political-oriented blogs consider how politics affects human rights.

41. Wronging Rights: Read Wronging Rights for irreverent commentary on human rights issues, politics and more.
42. Susan Loone’s Blog: Susan Loone is a passionate activist who writes about petitioning, Parliament and the media.
43. Invictus: Read about the U.S. military interrogation scandals here.
44. Dipnote: Discover the U.S. government’s positions on human rights and foreign policy campaigns on the U.S. Department of State official blog.
45. America.gov: America.gov actually shares news stories about America’s involvement with global health issues, politics, child hunger and human rights campaigns.

Miscellaneous

Here are even more human rights blogs, dealing with antiwar movements, virtual world campaigns and more.

46. SL Festival of Human Rights: Get information on the Second Life human rights festival here.
47. PHR Student Blog: Medical students have started this branch of the Physicians for Human Rights, and they blog about upcoming conferences and conventions and human rights issues.
48. Stop Genocide: Stop Genocide is a well-organized resource that shares news stories, tips for teaching about genocide, commentary and predictions about the state of human rights.
49. PhD Studies in Human Rights: This blog is designed for PhD students but is a great resource for anyone wanting to find news and reference material related to human rights issues.
50. Antiwar.blog: This antiwar blog analyzes current events and news stories from around the world.

Surrogacy in Texas – What the Law Involves

Posted by Site Administrator on 01/09/2009 | 0 Comments

It’s often ironic how things like pregnancy and childbirth, processes that happen naturally, are elusive to some women and drive them to the limits of desperation. Today’s scientific and technological advances allow them to seek alternative ways to conceive a child – using artificial insemination or going in for an in vitro fertilization procedure where the egg and the sperm are fertilized outside the body and then implanted in the mother’s womb. Adoption and surrogacy are other non-invasive options, and although adoption is the cheaper and easier alternative, if a couple wants the child to be a part of their genetic makeup, surrogacy is the only way out.  
 

A surrogate mother is someone who, to put it in ordinary terms, carries your child in her womb for you. The child may either be biologically yours (the father’s sperm and the mother’s egg are fertilized outside and the surrogate acts as a sort of baby carrier), be partly yours (the intended father’s sperm is artificially inserted into the surrogate mother), or have nothing to do with either of you genetically (the egg and sperm are both from donors). Any of these scenarios are laden with doubts and issues, ethical, moral, social and legal.  

The US is divided over the issue of surrogacy – while some states don’t have specific laws relating to the subject, others are hazy. In Texas though, the procedure is heavily regulated and the following laws apply:

    * The intended parents must be married to each other.
    * Couples of the same sex are not allowed to hire a surrogate to carry a child for them.
    * The intended parents must legalize the process through means of a contract signed and approved by a court. The contract allows the intended parents to claim parental rights as soon as the child is born. This is in contrast to a few other states where the intended parents are required to file adoption papers to legally adopt the child as their own. The surrogate is the legal mother listed on the birth certificate.

 Surrogacy is a costly option and is fraught with a host of emotional issues, from the time you choose a surrogate, through taking care of her medical and other needs, hoping and keeping your fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong with the pregnancy, till the time the baby’s born and you get to take him or her home. Be warned that the surrogate mother is bound to feel emotionally close to the baby and may want to keep it for herself once it’s born (worst case scenario) or at least stay in touch with your child as he or she grows up. Whatever the case, ensure your rights through the right legal procedures at the time of hiring the services of the surrogate.  
 

Why Computer Forensics Work

Posted by Site Administrator on 01/09/2009 | 0 Comments

The world is filled with computer users; most people who use computers on a daily basis have a rudimentary knowledge of how computers work at best.  There are others who have s bit most sophisticated knowledge, but nowhere near the expert level.  Then there are others still who have an amazing knowledge of the intricacies behind how computers and programs work.  

Most people who use their computers will never need to have their system checked out for criminal activity, but it is possible.  For more advanced users, criminals, and terrorists, the possibility is much more likely.  Chances are these systems will be less easy to crack because the users want to protect and hide the information they have essentially locked up inside the machine.

Computer Forensics strives to develop and continue modifying programs that help retrieve data, locate patterns and passwords of system users, and follow the data trail to other sources of criminal activity.  Expert computer users develop these programs in order to help solve crimes, whether they have already occurred or may occur in the foreseeable future. 

The use of computers in forensics have helped advance crime solving techniques and counterintelligence methods, all while helping close cases that in the past may have been unbreakable.  Because of the constant evolution of these methods, criminals from the past can now be brought to justice. 

Computer Forensics is an integral part of the justice system.  Whether local detectives are trying to break a case or an Army intelligence officer is trying to locate members of a terrorist cell, the use of computer forensics in helping to reduce criminal activity both home and around the world cannot be understated.

50 Ways to Protect Your Anonymity Online and Off

Posted by Site Administrator on 01/05/2009 | 0 Comments

In today’s information age, it’s incredibly difficult to keep your personal data private. However, there are a number of ways that you can work to increase anonymity. Read on to discover 50 methods you can use to be as anonymous as possible.

General Tips

Follow these tips to protect your anonymity online and off.

1. Do not use credit cards: Credit cards make it easy for you to be tracked online and off, so avoid using them.
2. Create a pseudonym: With a pseudonym, you can interact and communicate without revealing your identity.
3. Avoid using your name when making donations: When submitting donations, do so anonymously.
4. Encrypt: Use cryptography to protect your personal and confidential information online and off.

Online Tips

When browsing sites online, downloading, and performing general Internet activities, be sure to keep these anonymity safeguards up.

5. Do not accept cookies: Cookies sound great until you realize they’re not delicious treats, but rather data miners after your browsing habits. Set your browser to never accept cookies.
6. Pay careful attention to settings: On social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, you can set your options so that only people you know and trust will be able to see your information and updates.
7. Don’t use email connected to search engines: Email like Gmail or Yahoo! Mail is connected to search engines, and using these can help the company identify who you are.
8. Use a private ISP: ISPs almost always collect information about your browsing habits, so if possible, use an ISP that is private.
9. Avoid spyware: Be vigilant about keeping spyware off your computer, as these programs can record your computer activities.
10. Use a different password for every website: Be careful to mix your passwords up, so that if someone finds out your password for one site, they can’t use it for another.
11. Blog without your real name: Keep your real name out of the picture when creating a blog.
12. Use a variety of aliases: Don’t use the same screen name on every website you join, or it will be easy to find you online.
13. Don’t use browser history: Set your browser history to avoid keeping a record of your visited websites.
14. Use private domain registration: Keep your address and other personal information private when you register your domain name by using private domain registration.
15. Clear your browser’s cache: Clear your cache to avoid keeping photos and other files on your computer.
16. Turn off JavaScript: Sites with JavaScript can employ tracking and some will even install malware on your computer, so to protect your anonymity, avoid allowing JavaScript.
17. Exclude search robots: Keep your website or blog off of Google and other major search engines by creating a robots.txt file that will exclude all or some of the website.
18. Carefully scrutinize anything you download: Some programs will piggyback spyware or allow the program to monitor your activities.
19. Use a laptop: With a laptop, you’ll be able to move between a variety of different Internet connections.
20. Use public computers: Make use of computers at libraries and cyber cafes that cannot be personally traced to you.

Offline Tips

Although much of today’s information crimes are performed online, you can still be victimized offline as well, so be sure to follow these tips.

21. Appear average: Don’t adopt a distinctive style — try to follow the situation or community that you’re in.
22. Avoid excessive eye contact: Avoid eye contact when in crowds.
23. Rent a PO box: Protect your home address by using a PO box for communications.
24. Don’t sign up for loyalty programs: Avoid signing up for club key cards, as they will track your purchases.
25. Block your number from caller ID: Dial *67 before placing a call to prevent your number from showing up on the call recipient’s caller ID.
26. Only share information that can be changed easily: If you have to give out information, share a cell phone number or email address, both of which can be changed without too much trouble.
27. Pay in cash: Whenever possible, pay for purchases using cash so that it can’t be tracked.
28. Use a prepaid telephone: Prepaid telephones generally do not require your personal information and will almost never be listed in the phone book.
29. Use public transportation: Using public transportation will help you avoid the paperwork involved in car titles, purchases, insurance, registration, and more.
30. Rent anonymously: Check the classified ads and find someone who is looking for a roommate so that you won’t have to be on a lease, and can pay in cash.
31. Ditch your landline, or go unlisted: Landlines are a common part of public records, so use a cell phone instead or pay to keep your number unlisted.

Tools

A great way to protect your anonymity is to put tools to work that will help you do so, so make use of these tools when protecting your anonymity.

32. Firefox: The Firefox browser offers cookie options and lots of add ons that can help you create a more anonymous browsing experience.
33. Tor: Tor will help you stay safe against traffic analysis.
34. Privoxy: Pair this non-caching web proxy along with Tor to enhance your privacy and anonymity.
35. Hushmail: Hushmail provides encrypted, secure email for free.
36. GnuPG: You’ll be able to get encryption from GnuPG.
37. SafeLizard: Using this CGI proxy service, you can retrieve websites anonymously.
38. Public Proxy Servers: Use this resource to find a variety of proxy servers you can make use of.
39. Anonymizer: Anonymizer’s Anonymous Surfing can help you protect your identity online.
40. PGP Freeware: Use this encryption tool to protect your messages and more.
41. Cloakfish: Get an analysis of your anonymity using this tool.
42. SurfSecret: SurfSecret has a variety of online privacy tools, including firewalls, privacy vaults, and a popup eliminator.
43. BrowserSpy: BrowserSpy will help you find out how many footprints your Internet browser is leaving.
44. Anonym-OS: Anonym-OS is an anonymous operating system based on OpenBSD.
45. HistoryKill: Use this tool to automatically delete cached files, cookies, URLs, AutoComplete, and more after you’re done with your session.
46. InPrivate: Internet Explorer’s private browsing mode will allow you to surf the Internet without leaving a trace behind.
47. beHidden: Make use of the tools on beHidden to surf, email, and more anonymously.
48. Mixmaster: Mixmaster is a remailer that will provide you with anonymous or pseudononymous emailing that’s protected against traffic analysis.
49. Anonymouse: Anonymouse offers anonymous email, web pages, and news.
50. Complete Cleanup: Make your privacy arsenal more complete with this tool that will remove cookies, URL history, cache files, and more.