H is for Hand-to-Hand Combat

(Post 8 on my WIP)

Everyone needs to know how to protect themselves and the trainees of the time police academy are no different.
Sergeants Loughlin Hall and Diana Knott are responsible for developing the trainees’ fitness and physical skills, putting them through a gruelling circuits test (which most of them fail on their first attempt) and teaching them specific techniques to use in hand-to-hand combat or to deal with grabs or attacks with hand held weapons when they themselves are unarmed.

The two trainers aptly demonstrate that size isn’t everything and that everyone can use these techniques with success.

I have selected Dwayne Johnson to represent the ‘built like a brick shit house’ – well over 6’ Loughlin and Kristin Bell, at 5’1” as the petite Diana – and believe me she doesn’t need that gun to be scary. She was closely involved in investigating the serial killing case involving Angela. Working undercover as a ‘homeless teen’ she became extremely close to the killer’s third victim.
The trainees complain of having to practice these techniques so frequently but I know from clinical practice that it is so easy to forget them if you aren’t using them regularly. They are told in no uncertain terms by Diana, ‘You use it or you lose your life.’ She wishes that she had taught her friend these skills and plays the ‘what if’ game far too often.

On a side note I remember having ‘Personal Safety’ lessons at school with Phil Norman of UK Gladiators fame (Yes, really) where we learnt some useful breakaway and ‘floor’ techniques, some of which I vaguely recollect, such as carrying your keys between your fingers, using a personal alarm and as soon as you can running as far away as possible.
Of course in some situations using de-escalation strategies would be just as important – they are taught these in Communications by Sergeant Graham Brand who I’ve decided could be played by Martin Freeman.

Now hands up who wants to be first to tackle Loughlin or Diana?

G is for Gabrielle Sanders

(Post 7 on my WIP)

Gabrielle has already introduced herself on this blog – here.

This is what we overheard her saying to her groupies, Linda and Jessica.

Jane is not an academic rival. I know I’m far superior to her in almost every subject. I also know I’ve had to work hard for that achievement, and she seems to waltz in on the back on nepotism, maybe Commander Trainer should review ethical principle one.
The hottest guy in the class Kyle seems to have fallen for her and is attracted to her for some reason. He is so my type. He’s asked for help with his assignments so I think he might like me too. I’m sure he’d have no problems completing them himself but I’m happy to help and get to know him better.

Character wise Gabrielle shares similar character traits with Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl, is Kyle her Chuck Bass? (Image from imdb.com)

Also, I’m after your help for my Q post which will be on  ‘Questions Answered’ – please head over to my Facebook Page if you’ve been inspired to ask me anything and then come back on Thursday 19th April for the answers. Of course I’m still more than happy to receive your comments on today’s post too.

F is for Forensics

(Post 6 on my WIP)

Just because these cops can travel through time, it doesn’t mean they don’t need to follow usual police procedures. As part of my research (and also just because I love studying, with The Open University in general) I took an Elements of Forensic Science Course. Just to show how good I would be at this if it was my career – I thought the hair on the front cover of the book was real and tried to pick it off – doh.
My mate Stacey over at It Takes a Woman had studied the course previously and Jay over at Jay’s Insight decided to take it at the same time as me – we even did some study together. The Forensics teacher in ‘Training Time’ I’ve called Dr Jaylin Stacey after the two of them. Not sure if they picked up on that when beta reading.

Kristin Scott Thomas could rock Dr Jaylin Stacey’s silver plait (Image from imdb.com).

….
I hope to integrate some of the technical aspects of Forensic Science into the novel without making it too much like regurgitating the textbook.

Does anyone have any advice on how to integrate research smoothly into your story?