Quaero Indicium
'To Find the Evidence'
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Greetings!
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah - Happy Holidays!
Time sure flies! Here it is the end of the year - Thanksgiving has recently passed, Christmas seems just around the corner, and before you know it 2011 will be delivered to our door for us to welcome.
Be sure and check out the coming months for brief articles with information and personal experiences in traumatic injuries, evaluation and treatment. These experiences are, in part, how we provide a truly deep and empathetic understanding of those facing their own traumatic events and injuries.
Updates from November
-- Special messages this holiday from Dean and Karen -- Dean has had three articles in professional trade journals this month and has been invited to speak at multiple national and state association conferences next year. In the News-- Killing of a Weld County Sheriff's Deputy -- DNA clears another miscarriage of justice Association News-- Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado -- National Association of Legal Investigators -- National Council of Investigation and Security Services -- World Association of Detectives Visit our website at www.Forensic-Investigators.com to review the highlights of our services and resources. Call us today to review your case and investigative needs.Links to newsletters and articles are at www.MedicoLegalPI.com. A new archive page for newsletters and press releases from July 2010 to present is available at: < Newsletter Archives >.
Our to best wishes each of you and your families.
We look forward to seeing everyone next year!
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Important Dates
| The following are the important dates for this month and the following two months. Reminders are sent approximately one week before an extended event (i.e. conferences and vacations). Any last minute changes are also sent by email. Please mark your calendars for any dates that may affect deadlines, hearing dates, trials and depositions. Any changes from a previous notice or newsletter will have an (*) to alert you to a calendar update.
December
24th & 25th (Fri & Sat) Christmas
31st & 01st (Fri & Sat) New Years Eve
January
01st (Sat) New Years Day (continued)
17th (Mon) MLK Day (courts and government offices closed)
February
* 02nd-06th (Wed-Sun) National Association of Legal Investigators
* 20th-27th (Sun-Sat) American Academy of Forensic Sciences (not all dates)
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| Holiday Traditions (Karen S. Beers, BSW) |
 | | Cash (14mths), Jacee (21mths) and Gage (14mths) |
Well here it is already the end of the year. It seems time keeps flying by faster and faster each year. I remember as a child when I used to hear grown-ups say that, I would be thinking that time seemed to drag on and on. Does that mean I am officially grown-up now? No, I vowed not to grow up years ago; however, I do believe it means that I am officially old!
This is the time of year to put on that happy face even though at times this is difficult to do. The grandchildren are hopefully old enough this year to even tear open a present or two and relieve their parents of some of that duty. The Christmas season means different things to different people, for us, it is a time to be with our family and appreciate all that we have.
Traditions are different for everyone as well. Our tradition is to have the kids and grandkids over on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. I can remember as a child always having to leave on Christmas Day and I hated it, I just wanted to stay home and play with all my new stuff, so I started the tradition of staying home on Christmas Day and have passed this on to the kids. We will eat a simple meal, like Spaghetti casserole, Ragu or Chili, we had the big one at Thanksgiving; let the grandkids open their gifts, and then the adults can have some fun. I have always put out a stocking for the kids and still do, that's where they get silly gifts like chap stick, candy and lottery tickets, but no big gifts. In recent years to make it easier on all of us and thanks to the dollar stores, we started doing a white elephant gift exchange with everyone wrapping three or four items from the dollar store. You would not believe how much fun this is, and it helps save on money, time, stress and worry.
Another tradition is to do some baking, which is the only time of year I make my pumpkin bread and Christmas cookies. If anyone is interested in finding a new recipe or two, here is a fun website with lots of recipes for guys and gals alike and fun things for kids too.
On that, here's hoping all of you have a stress free and worry free holiday and may all of your dreams and wishes come true. See you next year.
 | Karen S. Beers, BSW
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About Karen:
Karen has been a Legal Investigator and Administrative Assistant, since 1996. Together they operate Forensic Investigators of Colorado, LLC. In addition to her skilled interactions with troubled youths, she trained and worked as a Deputy Coroner at the Larimer County Medical Examiner's Office. This background provides essential skills and knowledge in their Personal Injury, Negligence and Death investigations and consultations in Colorado and nationally.
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| News and Recent Projects (Dean A. Beers, CLI) |
 | | Dean A. Beers, CLI |
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We were blessed with our daughters and their families - of course the grandchildren!
There has always been much to be Thankful for, and this year was no different. We are blessed with a wonderful family, freedom and a country based upon a Constitution that we are honored to be committed to both personally and professionally.
We are blessed with being able to help those facing traumatic circumstances. Karen and I as a team, and with our clients as a team.
This is also the time for Giving. As you pass a Red Kettle, consider some loose change or a few dollars. For our grandkids and other relatives, we have Childrens Hospitals and Ronald McDonald House on our list. Locally makes a big difference - every dollar changing hands is multiplied in goods and services that people need all year.
From Karen and I, we thank you for a fantastic 2010. We wish you and your family a wonderful 2011 filled with joys and look forward to seeing and working with you throughout the year.
About Dean:
Dean is the only Board Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) in northern Colorado, and is also a certified Medicolegal Death Investigator specializing in all Personal Injury, Negligence and Death investigations in the civil arena and criminal defense. He has extensive background in medicolegal-forensic and factual Investigations with law enforcement education, experience and relationships. He has testified as an expert in private investigations, and is currently consulting nationwide as an expert in criminal defense homicide and civil equivocal death investigations.
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Practical Methods for Legal Investigations: Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases
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| Available
January 2010 |
This is the cover of Dean's book due out January 2011!
The publisher reports that the project is ready to go to the printer and is about three weeks early!
NEW! Table of Contents and other pages:
More information, including pre-orders, at:
You can also register to receive notifications of release, as well as a chance to win a free copy, at:
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Our Expert Forensic Affiliations
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| | Forensic Pathology and Autopsy Consultations |
We believe that medicolegal investigation is a team effort. Dr. Stephen Cina asked Dr. Harold Schueler and our agency to be affiliated as experts in our respective fields and to offer comprehensive services to our clients.
Dean began working with Forensic Pathologist Stephen Cina MD, in late 2002 and Karen in late 2004, as death investigators and forensic autopsy assistants.
Dr. Cina is the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for Broward County, FL.
Dr. Schueler is the Chief Toxicologist of the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office.
Contact our office to consult on medicolegal death and injury causation. Dr. Cina's services, and CV, are available at his website - Autopsy Review. Dr. Scheuler can also be contacted through Dr. Cina's private practice or our office.
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Recent Articles and Upcoming Engagements
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It has been busy with requests to get some quality investigative articles out - three published in November, and two others finished up for publication early next year.
"Investigative Protocol for Civil Legal Investigations of Motor Vehicle Collisions"
An expert witness article for the current issue of Trial Talk, the official publication of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association.
< read the full CTLA article >
"Ethical Considerations for the Professional Investigator"
In the recent issue of The Texas Investigator, the official publication of the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators.
< read the full TALI article >
"Methods and Procedures for Requesting Change of Address and Boxholder Information from the United States Postal Service"
In the recent issue of The CALI Journal, the official publication of the California Association of Licensed Investigators.
< Investigators Only - Email to Request a Copy >
In February Dean will be joining Dr. Stephen Cina at the Mid Winter Conference of the National Association of Legal Investigators, being held in Miami Beach, FL. Dr. Cina will be featuring the relationship of the Medical Examiner's Office in Civil & Criminal Cases. Dean will be discussing the bridge of the medical examiner's office and investigating deaths and personal injuries for civil and criminal cases. Also in February, Dean and Dr. Cina will be at the annual conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. In addition to attendance, they will each be giving book signing sessions. Dr. Cina and Dr. James Perper co-authored "When Doctors Kill", an excellent historical accounting of the medical profession and homicide.
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Association and Industry Updates
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Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado ( www.PPIAC.org)
T he effort to bring professional licensing to Colorado, one of only six states without professional oversight, continues. A draft bill has been put together by the licensing committee and a review by the Department of Regulatory Agencies is pending.
The latest newsletter is also available:
National Association of Legal Investigators ( www.NALI.org) The 2011 Mid Winter Conference is February 03-05 in Miami FL. Complete details are at www.NALI.com
< read The Legal Investigator and learn about NALI >See the 'Quick Links' ==> for information on the Certified Legal Investigator program, requirements and what it means. National Council of Investigation and Security Services ( www.NCISS.org) Dean's article ' Psychological Autopsies' was published in the fall issue of their trade magazine ' The Report '. < read The Report and learn about NCISS >
World Association of Detectives ( www.WAD.org)
In the coming months the WAD will also be converting to a separate publication format and will also be available online. When that is available the link will be provided here.
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In the News
|  Some of the latest news of interest ...
Sam Brownlee
Weld County Sheriff's Deputy Brownlee was killed in the line of duty on November 23, 2010 following a vehicle pursuit originating out of Fort Morgan. During a 'hands on' attempt to restrain the suspect he was shot and killed with his own weapon. Responding officers and deputies shot and killed the suspect. Both were transported to area hospitals and pronounced dead.
Dean attended the Weld County Law Enforcement Academy in 2005. During his time as a Deputy Coroner in both Weld and Larimer counties he worked with the law enforcement agencies in both counties, but did not know Dep. Brownlee.
Our thoughts and prayers go to his family, fellow deputies, officers, and all involved.
DNA Tests Disprove Key Evidence in Texas Execution Case
DNA testing obtained by the Innocence Project and partner organizations has proven that a Texas man was executed in 2000 based on false evidence. Claude Jones always maintained his innocence of the murder for which he was executed. The new test results prove that a hair allegedly tying him to the crime scene was not his.
< For the rest of the story >
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Five Qualities of a Professional Investigator...
|  Skills Appropriate for the Assignment
Law firms and medical offices specialize - Professional Investigators also specialize. Their casework and continuing education should also be in your specialized areas.
Experience and Knowledge
Professional Investigators strive to maintain and further these. All professions have requirements of continuing education. The CLI program requires extensive compliance with continuing education.
Responsible and Ethical Conduct
Every component of the investigation has evidentiary considerations. Professional Investigators hold themselves to a higher standard and leaves no question as to the admissibility of their evidence. Information without ethics is not evidence.
Effective Communication
Professional Investigators maintain communication with the attorney, client, witnesses, and other key persons in the investigation. Moreover, reports are the product of an organized investigation and should reflect the work product you expect.
Keyword - 'Professional'
Honesty, Integrity & Intelligence. These define Professional Investigators and gives you the confidence that your case is in competent and skilled hands.
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Coming Next Month...
| 2011! But, we all know that.
Look for two articles related to traumatic injuries. Dean and Karen will be sharing personal and professional experiences and perspectives, as well as investigative and treatment techniques. Each will be a two part series - Dean will have Traumatic Brain Injuries and treatment; and Karen will have PTSD and rehabilitation.
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In Closing...
|  LICENSING UPDATE AND CALL TO ACTION:
On November 22nd, PPIAC President Robert Orozco and I met with the Department of Regulatory Agencies Policy Analyst, Saul Larsen, and had an informative meeting. The concern DORA considers is 'public harm'. The only opposition, per DORA, has only been individual assertions that there is no public harm. We have shared extensive information and also discussed future public harm in the absence of licensing.
I would like to enlist your help. Mr. Larsen should hear from professionals - attorneys, paralegals and others that work with private investigators, as well as other private investigators. I would like for him to hear from each of you, I would consider it a great personal and professional favor.
On my wall next to my computer, and what I told Mr. Larsen was this: "Every day we are entrusted, by the Colorado public, with their money, their personal information, their most private situations and in some cases their future, freedom and life.", H. Ellis Armistead, CLI - fellow CLI, past PPIAC Chairman and past NALI National Director. Ellis has shared that multiple times during the debates of licensing - and it got Mr. Larsen's attention.
This would be very helpful - and could get us to a place that might protect other consumers, or at least better protect. If you wish to copy me, via email, your correspondence, it will allow us to thank you for your support and provide that to bill sponsors and legislators as the time comes.
Thank you for your help. The details for DORA are:
Saul Larsen
DORA Policy Analyst
saul.larsen@dora.state.co.us
(303) 894-2996
(303) 894-7885 fax
And don't forget ...
As part of the release of Dean's book, we are in the early stages of developing introductory webinars and full length seminars for continuing education. Continuing education is as important to the investigative profession as it is to the legal profession, but few associations or state licensing boards require it.
Contact our office if you have an interest in attending or sponsoring a seminar or speaking engagement for investigators, attorneys and paralegals.
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 | | Dean and Karen |
Forensic Investigators of Colorado, LLC, specializes in the medicolegal consultation and investigation of cases involving traumatic injuries or death, as well as cases involving serious criminal charges.
We are Professional Reliable Investigators Defining Excellence, with PRIDE in every assignment.
Thank You. Please contact us with any questions or for additional information on these topics and our related services.
Sincerely,
Dean A. Beers, CLI (beersda@Forensic-Investigators.com)
Karen S. Beers, BSW (beersks@Forensic-Investigators.com)
Forensic Investigators of Colorado, LLC
Office: (970) 691-0813
Fax: (970) 372-4717
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Tools for the
Litigation Attorney and Professional Investigator
(click images for details)
"Practical Methods for Legal Investigations" available at a discount - $69.95
Investigator's Case File System
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Learn more - FREE Trial Notebook eBook and sneak peek of the 'Attorney Case File System'
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