Welcome to Women in Crime Ink (WCI)

Looking for a fresh take on crime and media issues? Bookmark this page. Women in Crime Ink brings you a lineup of best-selling true-crime authors, award-winning print and broadcast journalists, crime novelists, a CNN anchor, a producer for CBS News / 48 Hours, television personalities, and criminal justice professionals—including a forensic artist, a criminal profiler, nationally renowned prosecutors, a high-profile criminal defense attorney, a private investigator, a psychiatrist, and sex-crimes and cold-case detectives. From the West Coast to the Eastern Seaboard, we've got crime covered. In our "criminal careers" we have . . .

* written dozens of books on notorious killers

* investigated homicides and arrested offenders

* prosecuted and defended capital murder suspects

* lectured at universities, law schools, and the FBI

* spent time behind bars, with prisoners and as an inmate

* consulted as experts on high-profile murder cases

* sifted through crime scenes and attended autopsies

* pursued stories and justice at significant personal risk

* given a voice to victims permanently silenced

* safeguarded civil liberties

* secured death penalty convictions

* testified in murder trials and witnessed executions

We've seen just about everything. Here's what you can expect to see at Women in Crime Ink (WCI):

Weekdays we will feature columns from our Regular Contributors on cases people are talking about . . . thoughts on professional challenges encountered in covering crime stories . . . book and film reviews . . . and insightful interviews.

On weekends beginning March 29, we will run first-person pieces from Guest Contributors under these headings:

“Case Files” – We’re inviting those on the front lines of crime to tell heir stories, to take us behind the scenes of their most interesting cases, from the cold cases they can’t forget to the suspects who nearly got away with murder.

“Mystery Man” – Who fills this guest contributor spot is an ongoing mystery, but we'll give you a clue. From time to time, Women in Crime Ink will feature columns written by men: forensic experts, criminal lawyers, journalists, police instructors, investigators, crime authors and other men whose work brings them in contact with the criminal justice system. Our Mystery Man column debuts March 29.

“Survivor Stories” - They've endured and come through stronger and wiser. Victims and their families are too often overlooked in crime reporting, but not here. WCI is proud to supply a forum for survivors to tell their stories.

“Your Turn” – Want to write for Women in Crime Ink? Here's your chance to get some ink! If you have a strong opinion on a case in the news, we want to hear from you. You’ll find submission requirements along the right margin.

Check out The Ink Well (blue box at right). On occasion, we will round up all the unusual suspects for a live chat on that week's news stories. Various contributors will offer their take on recent cases and media issues. Join the discussion whenever live chats are announced. WCI also uses this space to host live chats with authors promoting their books. The Ink Well is open to readers to leave story ideas or post announcements.

Meet the Contributors of Women in Crime Ink:

Pat Brown is a nationally renowned Criminal Profiler and 24/7 news fixture, with countless appearances on CNN’s Nancy Grace, Larry King, network morning shows, Dr. Phil, and others. The Discovery Channel, Court TV, and National Geographic feature Pat in various documentaries and series. Pat is the author of Killing for Sport. Her second book, The Profiler, is expected in 2010.

Andrea Campbell writes books about forensic science and law. She holds a criminal justice degree and is a forensic artist whose work includes sculpturally recreating victims’ facial features from skulls. She is Editor of Arkansas Identification News (an IAI group) and an American College of Forensic Examiners International Diplomate and Fellow.

Kathryn Casey has authored more than 100 articles in national magazines and four critically acclaimed true crime books. Her first crime novel, Singularity, and A Descent into Hell, on Austin’s bizarre Colton Pitonyak case, will be released in June 2008. She’s appeared on Oprah, Montel, Leeza, CourtTV, Nancy Grace, and A&E.

Lisa R. Cohen is an Emmy award-winning television news magazine producer with over 20 years in network news, including ABC News PrimeTime Live and CBS News “60 Minutes.” She is also the author of AFTER ETAN: The Missing Child Case That Held America Captive. Cohen is an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and was a Princeton University Ferris Professor of Journalism.

Diane Dimond has reported for Court TV, EXTRA, and Hard Copy, and has hosted MSNBC’s “Missing Persons,” NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and co-hosted a show with Geraldo Rivera. The award-winning journalist and author of Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case also writes for The Huffington Post and appears regularly on CNN.

Stacy Dittrich is a crime novelist, police officer, and media consultant. As a former detective specializing in sexual crimes, Stacy has been involved in numerous homicide investigations. She is certified as a voice stress analyst and as a law enforcement instructor. Stacy is the author of The Devil’s Closet and Mary Jane’s Grave, a new detective series debuting October 2008.

Diane Fanning is the Edgar-nominated author of eight true-crime books and three mystery novels. Diane has appeared on 20/20, Forensic Files, and radio stations from coast to coast. She is under contract for five books. Diane's 9th and 10th true-crime titles—the latter, Mommy's Little Girl, on the Casey Anthony case—will be released the fall of 2009.

Michelle Feuer is a producer with CBS 48 Hours Mystery. Michelle began her career covering foreign news while based out of NBC's London bureau. Working for Dateline, she embedded with the Bronx Homicide Unit and the Boston Crime Lab. Michelle has been nominated for four Emmy awards and a Gracie, and she won an ABA Silver Gavel award.

Cynthia Hunt covered hundreds of crime stories for almost a decade as an award-winning broadcast journalist in Houston. Cynthia nabbed the exclusive on big stories like the Railcar Killer and Andrea Yates. Cynthia was a regular panelist on a TV talk show, and she appears in the upcoming feature film Don't Tell Me What to Think! on the controversial "Fairness Doctrine."

Laura James is an attorney, true-crime author, and crime historian living in Detroit, Michigan. The former reporter is the woman behind CLEWS, a literary blog devoted to the true-crime genre. Laura’s first book, The Love Pirate and the Bandit's Son: Murder, Sin, and Scandal in the Shadow of Jesse James, comes out in May 2009.

Vanessa Leggett has written for essays for Newsweek and Texas Monthly, editorials for the Houston Chronicle, and articles for the Justice Department, which jailed her for protecting sources on a murder case. A former English and Criminology instructor at the University of Houston-Downtown, Vanessa writes and lectures. Her book on the case that landed her in jail is awaiting publication.

Susan Murphy-Milano is a nonfiction author and violence expert--a defender of victims' rights. Susan has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, American Justice, and CNN. As a nationally recognized women's advocate, she was intrumental in the passage of the Illinois Stalking Law and the Lautenberg Act. Susan's third book, It’s Him or Me, will be available soon.

Donna Pendergast is a career prosecutor specializing in homicides. She has tried nearly 100 murder cases and boasts a 97% conviction rate. She put away the most prolific serial killer in U. S. history. Donna has appeared on 60 Minutes, The Montel Williams Show, Dateline NBC, True Hollywood Story, Cold Case Files, and others featuring her serial and sexual homicide cases.

Lucy Puryear, M.D. is a psychiatrist in private practice. She is known nationally for her participation in Andrea Yates trial as a defense expert, and has made numerous media appearances, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Prime Time Live. Dr. Puryear is also a published author.

Robin Sax is a prosecutor in Los Angeles, where she handles sex crimes against children. She is also an author, a legal analyst - appearing on Larry King - and an adjunct professor at Cal State, teaching Women in Crime. Robin is a “kid scene investigator” and the D.A. member of a rape treatment team at UCLA.

Katherine Scardino is a defense attorney who has handled 39 capital murder cases. She received the first Not Guilty verdict in 25 years for the State of Texas in a death penalty case, and recently received another acquittal in a capital trial. Katherine has appeared on Court TV, TODAY, Bill O’Reilly, MSNBC, and American Justice. She has several capital murder cases pending.

Donna Weaver is an investigator for The Pat Brown Criminal Profiling Agency. She began her education and training after the disappearance and murder of her husband in 1983. Donna is an area director for the Bahamas and Caribbean Region for The Doe Network - International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons.

Welcome to Women in Crime Ink: Your daily source for the real story behind crime and media issues.

- Women in Crime Ink logo and original art by Rex White -