Dead Right: How to Kill Your Characters with Credibility

Expert forensic advice from author and investigator Steve Rush

"Kill Your Characters" is a critical handbook for crime writers everywhere. Imagine you have a dead body on the floor, and your detective character needs to solve the crime and catch the killer. But, if you're not an expert in forensic investigation, how can you describe the death accurately, so the clues make sense?

This book, written by former detective and forensic investigator Steve Rush, equips you with the tools you need to impress not only armchair detectives but also real ones. It's your ultimate guide to crafting a gripping opening incident for your story. No more hours wasted searching for accurate information elsewhere.

In "Kill Your Characters," you'll find an accurate guide to crucial questions like: How did your character meet their end? What were the circumstances of the murder? Which weapon did the killer use? What evidence did they leave behind? How can you build an airtight case against the suspect?

With this book, you'll have the facts to make your fiction stand out. Whether you're plotting your next murder scene or tackling challenges like determining the time of death or understanding forensic evidence from a gunshot wound, Steve Rush's extensive experience is packed into practical tips and activities that will enhance your storytelling. "Kill Your Characters" is a valuable resource for any author aiming to bring credibility and authenticity to their murder scenes.

Here’s Steve’s full post:

One aspect of writing I find gratifying is the ability to answer questions based on my career in environmental and forensic pathology and medicine. My book Kill Your Characters, published by Genius Books, blossomed from knowledge absorbed from 900-plus death investigations, crime scenes, autopsies, and most of all, hands-on training by forensic pathologists renowned for their expertise.

I’m all-in with offering readers an impression of reality and adhering to self-imposed standards of authenticity, believability, and credibility based on my experience. This extends to fiction writers who include crime scenes and death investigations in their stories.

Writer’s groups offer a way to bond with fellow writers and authors. Too many scenarios to count exist in the world of fiction. Writers’ prolific minds assure no shortage of entertaining and enlightening stories. Technical advice from other writers and experts is often necessary to assure a scene’s credibility like the following examples.

An author requested information related to the history of forensic medicine and if the physician who examined a murder victim would have known about post-mortem lividity or rigor mortis in 1682 France.

My reply:

“The first written documentation of forensic medicine is from Europe in 1507, although physicians examined bodies for cause of death much earlier. Yes, the doctor should have knowledge of postmortem changes. The earliest known to conduct a postmortem examination is Antistius, the physician who examined Julius Caesar’s body and determined only one of his twenty-three stab wounds was fatal.”

Another writer gave this scenario: “My victim had been killed two days prior to being hung. What decomp would be evident if he hadn’t been kept on ice? What would I see if he had been kept in a freezer? Also, would marks be evident that he had been strangled instead of hung?”

My answer:

Postmortem changes begin at time of death as rigor mortis (stiffening) and livor mortis (settling of blood in the dependent portions of the body from gravity) also identified as lividity. Livor mortis fixates after about six hours and will not change. Any repositioning of the body once it is fixed will prove the body was moved. Rigor mortis fixes after about twelve hours, continues its stiffened state for 24-36 hours, and dissipates afterward. The body’s posture when fixed by rigor mortis will not change when someone hangs the body and will show evidence inconsistent with a hanging at time of death. Postmortem progression slows in cooler environments and becomes indistinguishable when frozen. Decomposition will not show external evidence within two days under normal circumstances. External and internal trauma to the neck differs in strangulation deaths versus hangings and are easily confirmed one way or other at autopsy.”

In a last example, an author wanted a reality check for a crime scene where a man murders a homeless person and sets the place on fire to cover the evidence with the premise of faking his death. The scenario showed the complexity of a true crime.

My reply:

“One issue you must overcome. Someone should see smoke from the fire, even in a rural setting, and be drawn to it. Curiosity. Otherwise, you have the makings for a great mystery for the police to solve. The accelerant is no issue if the missing man douses the trailer and starts the fire after he kills the homeless person. This must happen in rapid sequence if he starts the fire before he kills the man to prevent the man inhaling byproducts of the smoke-saturated air. The assailant must incapacitate the victim or chance the man fighting for his life.

“What you must consider is the gunshot to the head. The shot entry and angle must be consistent with the position and angle of a self-inflicted GSW, otherwise it becomes a red flag to the medical examiner. The gun’s position near the body is irrelevant.

“Fire will destroy the hands. No concern about fingerprints or decomposition. Other ways exist to identify a person. These include X-rays, blood, and tissue. These remain viable given the timeframe in your scenario.

“In addition, the assailant owns the trailer. In some rural jurisdictions, the investigating agency might close the case. Others will keep it open pending thorough police and forensic investigations. A perfect murder does not exist. Evidence will prove it. Astute investigators know where to find it.”

Have a question? Contact those who traveled the path you are on. Ask for advice and opinions. Let’s enjoy the ride to success together.

Steve Rush

Steve Rush is the author of Kill Your Characters, available now from Genius Books.

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