233 Clay, Skulls, Bones, and Don't Embarrass the Bureau With FBI Forensic Artist Lisa Bailey. (Part One)

On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Author and retired FBI Forensic Artist Lisa Bailey for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.

Lisa Bailey spent most of her adult life serving our country. She enlisted in the United States Navy after high school and served for six years as a linguist translating Russian during the Cold War. Armed with a top-secret security clearance, she later joined the FBI, working as a forensic artist helping solve complex felony and cold case crimes. Lisa’s casework included creating composite sketches of terror suspects, age progressions of wanted fugitives, and post-mortem images of unidentified victims.

Please enjoy this enlightening and entertaining conversation with forensic artist Lisa Bailey.

In today’s episode we discuss:

    Her mother being an artist and how that influenced her later in her professional life.

     Joining the navy, being in the intelligence field as a Russian linguist during the Cold War.

     What was the process to get a top-secret security clearance?

     How she leveraged her Navy experience into the civilian world.

     The FBI Special Agent Robert Hansen scandal.

     How her love of donuts led to joining the FBI.

     Her first impression of working for the FBI. Was it what she thought it would be?

     What is a forensic artist, and what did the training look like? What she was trying to accomplish in a case when an agent or other LE reached out to her with a case? How did she do that?

     Working at the FBI three months after the 9/11 terror attacks.

     Hollywood portrayals of what you did, especially “Bones.” Are there any movies or TV shows that are close to accurate?

     Lisa’s body farm study. What is the body farm, and what was she trying to accomplish?

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Visit Lisa's website to learn more about her and her book, Clay and Bones: My Life as an FBI Forensic Artist.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.

Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

Cops and Writers is a podcast hosted by retired police sergeant and author, Patrick O'Donnell. The podcast provides valuable insights and humor for crime writers who want to create accurate and believable police stories. O'Donnell conducts in-depth interviews with members of law enforcement and civilian experts, discussing police procedures and culture. He also interviews crime fiction writers and writers from different genres, discussing what works in the ever-changing landscape of book sales and publishing. The podcast offers candid stories told with cop humor and technical details about the world of law enforcement.