www.Forensic-Investigators.com
Quaero Indicium
'To Find the Evidence'

Please distribute to others that may have an interest


Greetings!

PROFILE OF THE AMERICAN WOMAN PI - PI MAGAZINE
The current issue of PI Magazine has the first of a two-part series of the woman pioneers of private investigation.  Karen is one of several women PIs featured in the current issue of PI Magazine.  Several of some of the country's most well known pioneers are featured, from mitigation specialists to Certified Legal Investigators.  Karen is featured as one of the 'mom and pop' agencies.  One of her key specialties is the social background of the case - from parties and witnesses to mitigation.  We are proud that Karen was selected to be featured.  She has certainly been a pioneer in the direction of this agency.

EXPERT - FORENSIC INVESTIGATION AND PATTERN INJURY ANALYSIS
We are pleased and excited to announce that agency principle Dean A. Beers, CLI, has recently qualified and testified as an Expert in Forensic Investigations and Pattern Injury Analysis, based upon his education, training, skills and experience in legal investigations, forensic investigations, medicolegal death investigation, and forensic autopsy technician/assistant.  Consultations are a form of peer review and to be an advocate for the evidence.

From Kitty Hailey, CLI - I am always so pleased to learn that a colleague has done well.  In this case, I just learned that Dean Beers, CLI has reached another milestone. This week he was accepted and testified as an expert witness in Forensic Investigation and Pattern Injury Analysis in an assault case.  This opens up new doors for him as an expert witness and he actually has a couple of cases pending before the end of the year.  In addition, his testimony assisted in a full not guilty verdict after only 20 minutes of deliberation by the jury.  Kudos to Dean for accomplishing goals, helping clients and proving that doing things properly and thoroughly is what we are all about.

From Jayne McElfresh (NALI Region 6 Director) - Our own Dean Beers was accepted, and testified as an Expert Witness in Forensic Investigation and Pattern Injury Analysis in an assault case on Thursday.  The jury was out 20 minutes and returned a full not guilty verdict.  Dean has more expert cases pending this year, provided there are no additional delays.

We are always proud of our own elite members and their achievements
especially when we can turn to them for assistance.  Just another reason
NALI is a premiere organization!  We congratulate Dean on his win and his
new status as Expert Witness in Forensic Investigation and Pattern Injury
Analysis!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.

HB 11-1195 STATUS - Voluntary Licensure for PIs in Colorado

On behalf of the PPIAC and the Licensing Committee, Dean is pleased to inform you that HB 11-1195 Passed the House Finance Committee!  This continues to be a substantial and significant progress - unprecedented in the 30 years PPIAC has moved for licensing.  Thank you for your support.  Please see below for details. 

 
Also, as a reminder to our investigator friends and colleagues 

NEW! "Death Investigations for Private Investigators"

A continuing education at www.PIEducation.com developed by Forensic Investigators of Colorado and based upon the education, training and experience of Dean and Karen. Call in your order by 04/15 and mention code Twitter10 and get 10% off!  Please see below for details.

 

< PI Education Course Details >

 

NEW!  "Medicolegal Death Investigations" 

June 10 - Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council

Dean will be teaching an 8-hour seminar in Port St. Lucie, FL.

< CDITC complete details >


NEW!  "Use of Forensics in Homicide and Sexual Assault Cases" 

June 11 - Florida Association of Licensed Investigators

Dean will be presenting a 4-hour seminar in Tampa, FL.

< FALI complete details >


In the News
-- Larimer County, CO - Judge Conrad Ball Award presented
-- District Attorney offers bonuses for convictions
-- Lie to Me Lie to You:  Educating the public about police deception
-- Book Review (Scott Harrell - PursuitMag.com):  Practical Methods for Legal Investigations
-- Email Disclaimers - Useless Clutter?

Association News
-- Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado
-- National Association of Legal Investigators
-- National Council of Investigation and Security Services
-- World Association of Detectives
-- Colorado Criminal Defense Bar

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 >.
(please note that earlier archives are at < www.MedicolegalPI.com >)
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.    

< Complete Webinar and Seminar Info at www.PrivateInvestigations.org>


April  
27th to 30th [into 05/01-05/02] (Wed to Sat/Mon) NCISS Conference in Vail, CO.


May  
* 01st to 02nd (Sun & Mon) - Personal Vacation 
27th to 30th (Fri-Mon) - Memorial Day Weekend  

June
 

* 08th to12th (Wed-Sun) Conference - Florida Assoc of Licensed Investigators (presenting Medicolegal Investigation; CRC book signing) and Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council (presenting Medicolegal Death Investigation seminar)

* 12th to19th (Wed-Sun) Conference
- National Association of Legal Investigators 
Karen's Corner:
Death Investigation for Private Investigators
(Karen S. Beers, BSW)
Forensic Investigators of Colorado, LLC has teamed with PIEducation.com

This death investigation course is a basic introduction into the concepts of the official investigation of death, such as by a coroner or medical examiner office, and the role that the private investigator may play in an equivocal death investigation. As might be expected, there are similar roles, overlapping roles and, of course different roles and responsibilities.

This course is designed to provide the investigator currently working in, or interested in working in, the death and personal injury investigation fields the knowledge and insight to informatively and intelligently conduct a criminal defense or civil investigation in which serious bodily injury or death is the subject matter of the litigation.

 

This course is approved for 14 hours of instruction in Texas, Oklahoma, and Iowa; 12 hours in Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky; 8 hours in Louisiana and Kansas; 10 hours in Oregon and South Carolina; 6 hours in North Carolina; 4 hours in New Mexico. An exam will be administered upon the conclusion of the program. If the candidate passes with a score of 75% or better, a certificate of completion will be issued in accordance with state licensing authority standards.

< Click Here for course information and details >


About Karen:
Karen S. Beers, BSW
Karen S. Beers, BSW

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.

 
Investigator and Attorney Case File Management Systems (Dean A. Beers, CLI)

Veteran Florida private investigator, and long time friend, Paul Purcell has taken the tasks of both attorney and investigator case management and created complete, and customizable, systems for each.  

 

The Attorney Case File System is the "Ultimate Case Management System" This product is the only one on the market offering full user customization in a three-component package focused on actual law office work and not just simple filings or invoicing alone.

< Sneak Peek, Details and Ordering Information > 

 

The Investigator Case File provides the detail, organization, standardization, and adaptability requirements of any system designed to help investigators improve the efficiency of their efforts.  Simple enough to be more organized and professional, and to increase your financial bottom line.

< Sneak Peek, Details and Ordering Information >

 
Dean A. Beers, CLI
Dean A. Beers, CLI


About Dean:

Dean is the only Board Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) in northern Colorado, and is also certified in Medicolegal Death Investigatiions 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 Forensic Investigation and Pattern Injury Analysis, as well as Protocols of Private Investigations.  He currently consults nationwide as an expert in criminal defense homicide and civil equivocal death investigations.

Our Expert Forensic Affiliations
Autopsy Review 
Forensic Pathology and Autopsy Consultations

We believe that medicolegal investigation and consultation 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. Schueler can be contacted through our office or Dr. Cina's private practice.
  
Recent Articles and Upcoming Engagements
NEW!  "Medicolegal Death Investigations" 

June 10 - Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council

Dean will be teaching an 8-hour seminar in Port St. Lucie, FL.

< CDITC complete details >


NEW!  "Use of Forensics in Homicide and Sexual Assault Cases" 

June 11 - Florida Association of Licensed Investigators

Dean will be presenting a 4-hour seminar in Tampa, FL.

< FALI complete details >

 
Association and Industry Updates
Professional Private Investigators Assoc of Colorado (www.PPIAC.org)  
Planning for the fall conference is now beginning and is tentative for the weekend of September 23rd in Denver, CO.  As planning continues updates will be posted on the association website and newsletter, and this newsletter.

Investigators involved in PI Mentoring, Pro Bono and Speakers are listed on the PPIAC website, in addition to the popular 'Find a PI' on the website, the PPIAC has recently added the following member directories - Pro Bono for civil and criminal attorneys, as well as Speakers Bureau.  If your association, group or conference needs a speaker - a PPIAC member can likely help.

The latest newsletter is also available (NEW for March 2011):  
National Association of Legal Investigators
(www.NALI.org)
Inside the current issue is Dean's review of the Forensic Sciences Report and important considerations.  PPIAC also wishes to thank the members of NALI for their financial support of licensure in Colorado.
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org)
The annual conference will be in Vail from April 27th to April 30th at the Arabelle Resort in Vail, CO.

< Conference details and registration information >


Also, if you are an investigator or security officer, consider joining.  As the Membership Committee Chair, Dean has a special offer for you!

< Membership Special Offer Details >


NCISS sends out a monthly eReport with interim legislative and industry updates.   The March eReport will be distributed late March.  Visit www.NCISS.org for details.  PPIAC also wishes to thank the NCISS board and membership for their financial support of licensure in Colorado.

World Association of Detectives (www.WAD.net)  The latest newsletter is available - visit the website and look 'W.A.D. Announcements'.

Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (www.CCDB.org) is offering criminal defense investigator training on April 15, 2011.  'Expanding Skills for Advanced Investigation' is a full day of investigative skills seminars for $50 to investigators.

< Seminar details and registration >


Some FREE sample magazines for PIs (and those that use PIs):

Over the years and recently, Dean has contributed to these, and other, leading professional magazines.
 
Texas Association of Licensed Investigators
has one of the leading association magazines and is sharing the latest digital issue.  Click here to request your complimentary issue.   

PI Magazine
- Professional Investigator Magazine - is the leading subscription based magazine for our profession.  Interested in a free sample of the latest digital issue? 
Click here to request your complimentary issue.  PPIAC also wishes to thank Jimmie and Roe Mesis for their financial support of licensure in Colorado.

Pursuit Magazine - is the leading online based magazine for our profession.  Updated daily - visit www.PursuitMag.com for details.  PPIAC also wishes to thank Scott Harrell for their financial support of licensure in Colorado
In the News
CourtroomSome of the latest news of interest...

Larimer County (Colorado) Judge Conrad Ball Award
The 33rd Annual Judge Conrad L. Ball Banquet on Friday, April 08, will honor Judge Christine A. Carney as this year's recipient of the Judge Conrad L. Ball award.  Judge Carney will be recognized for contributing toward improving the quality of justice in Larimer County.

< Read the complete story >


District Attorney Offers Bonuses for Convictions (Colorado) 
Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney Carol Chambers has created an unusual incentive for her felony prosecutors, paying them bonuses if they achieve a predetermined standard for conviction rates at trial.

< Read the complete story >

 DA Carol Chambers has offered a defense of this pay structure:

< Read the complete story >


Lie to Me Lie to You - Police Deception 
Seventeen year old Marty Tankleff awoke to find his mother dead and his father dying. He called the police as a good son would. When the police arrived they noticed that Marty was behaving strangely. As a result, he immediately became a suspect. After several hours of interrogation, Marty confessed to the crime because of police deception. The officer told Marty his father had come out of the coma and said that he, Marty had committed the crime. Then his father died. The truth- his father never woke up and Marty served 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

< Read the complete story >


Book Review for 'Practical Methods for Legal Investigations' by Scott Harrell (Compass Point Investigations, PursuitMag.com and PIEducation.com)
Dean A. Beers, a respected and admired Certified Legal Investigator (CLI), has authored a comprehensive guidebook and reference manual for both the aspiring legal investigator and the veteran professional.  Practical Methods for Legal Investigations - Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases is an information packed, all inclusive "Legal Investigator's manual" providing a thorough understanding of the knowledge, skills and practices required in order to become the successful, highly valued investigator on any legal team.  Mr. Beers shares with us the education, training and experience of his over 20 years in the field of investigative work, including his years spent as a forensic autopsy assistant, a death investigator and, first and foremost, a most valued attorney's assistant.  He has spent his years in cases involving civil negligence and criminal defense and his passion for his work is both timeless and tireless.  Although he refers to his book, Legal Investigations, as a "compliment" to the many other fine materials in publication, I couldn't really disagree with him more on this point. On the contrary, I would go so far as to say that:

Legal Investigations should be a "must-read" for every new investigator making his or her way into criminal defense and civil negligence matters.

< CONTINUE to the complete review >


Useless Clutter or Necessary Notices?

From colleague Vicki Siedow, also featured in PI Magazine, comes this interesting information about email disclaimers.  Many tend to think email disclaimers and confidentiality statements are unnecessary. 

The disclaimer and confidentiality statements are not complete or absolute protection, but without them there is little, if any, protection. Before setting aside the necessity and importance of disclaimers, in faxes, emails and investigative reports, consider these two articles:

Joseph Howie, Law Technology News, March 2011
Transform your message footer from mere annoyance to pragmatic e-discovery tool

Peter Gallagher, Law Technology News, March 2011
A recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California serves as a cautionary tale to anyone who receives misdirected e-mails.
    
Five Qualities of a Professional Investigator...
Certified Legal InvestigatorSkills 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.
Ethics for the Professional Investigator

QUESTION:

The bulk of my work is criminal defense. A law firm has hinted they are displeased with my report writing, suggesting or at least hinting that I should not be so informative, that I should consider leaving out those portions of witness statements which are damaging to the defense case, because under case law, my work is 'discoverable' to the prosecution as 'work product'. I protested vehemently. For 26 years in law enforcement and another 10 in criminal defense, I have always reported everything, good, bad, or indifferent. Whatever I am told, that is what I report. As such, I never lost a criminal case in all my years as a cop; not a homicide, sexual assault, burglary, assault, DUI. I attribute that to being truthful. That to me, means what it says, and that one does not have selective memory or engage in selective report writing or editing an interview. What is your opinion of that and whether or not I am being an idiot. Thanks

 

ANSWER:   

This comes up primarily in civil cases because of discovery considerations (criminal it depends - but always consider that it will be). The important thing is that your client - the attorney - needs to know everything, no surprises.  It is how they know that becomes important.

Our job, in civil or criminal, is to find the facts and present the evidence - but not necessarily reduce it to writing.  As they say, help our client - but don't help the prosecution (or opposing party).  That is not unethical.  To make it more difficult - I have a variety of clients who want it all different, and then there is the issue of shredding notes (my thought is don't - what if you get hurt, die or the case is reinvestigated in 10 years by someone else - or even yourself with reduced memory after several hundred more cases?).

My suggestion, and practice, is to write the report factually in the manner requested by your client and in the best support of your case.  All other matters and information is reported verbally.  This is standard in civil cases, and a good idea for criminal.  It is also important to consider client confidentiality - which extends to you as an agent of the attorney, and work-product privilege - which extends to you but has limited applicability due to disclosures. Reports should never contain anything that would violate those tenets - they should be only verbally reported.

From a private email query to Dean

 

On this note of attorney-investigator relationships and ethics, Bill Rhetts of Hi-Caliber Investigations (Redlands, CA) produced an excellent video that puts this very question, and others, in perspective.

 

< Video:  Private Investigators and Their Roles with Attorneys > 


In Closing...
Justice CenterPI Licensing Bill (HB 11-1165 Concerning the Voluntary Licensure of Private Investigators) passes House Judiciary Committee (unanimously) and House Appropriations Committee (8 to 5)

< Click here to read HB-11-1165 > 

 

There continues to be substantial and significant progress - unprecedented in the 30 years PPIAC has sought professional licensing.

 

This bill continues to have bi-partisan support, and the support of the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, National Council of Investigation and Security Services, National Association of Legal Investigators, World Association of Detectives, and state investigator associations nationwide.  The bill must now pass two readings and vote on the House floor.  Following that, it will follow the same process on the Senate side.

Please consider emailing your letters of support to Dean - [email protected] to be forwarded to committee members and legislators, as well as a donation for the legislative fund via PayPal at www.PPIAC.org.


PPIAC members are also available for speaking engagements, training opportunities and submitting articles for your association and conferences.  Visit the PPIAC website for details.
Dean and Karen Beers
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 ([email protected])
Karen S. Beers, BSW ([email protected])

Forensic Investigators of Colorado, LLC
Office:  (970) 691-0813 ~ Fax:  (970) 372-4717 

< Newsletter and Press Release Archives from July 2010 >

Download an agency information and case request packet:
< Agency Information and Case Request Packet >

We directly accept the following credit cards:

All major credit cards accepted


In This Issue
Important Dates...
Death Investigation for Private Investigators
Case File Management Systems
Our Expert Forensic Affiliations
Recent Articles and Upcoming Engagements
Association and Industry Updates
In the News...
Five Qualities of a Professional Legal Investigator
Ethics for the PI
In Closing...
On Our website
Quick Links

>> About FICO-LLC

>> What is a CLI?
> CLI Requirements

>> Investigator Bios (home)


>> Forensic Pathology Consultants
On our website
FICO-LLC
Since 1987 www.MedicoLegalPI.com

Newsletter Archives from 2008 

 

All Articles:

www.MedicoLegalPI.com 

 

Featured Articles:

- Concepts of Comprehensive Background Investigations

- DNA Primer and Considerations for the Professional Investigator

- Psychological Autopsy and Equivocal Death 

- 'Reviewing and Comprehending Autopsy Reports' 

'The Legal Investigator's Relationship with Families' 

'Woodchipper Fatality Investigation' 

 

Slideshow Presentations:

About Forensic Investigators of Colorado, LLC 

- Attorney and Investigator Ethics 

Find Us at:

Find us on Facebook

View my profile on LinkedIn

Follow us on Twitter   

Slideshow Presentations:


www.slideshare.com/dbeerspi 

Professional Associations

Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC) 
Chairman of the Board of Directors

National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI) 
Certified Legal Investigator
CLI Committee - Region 6
Newsletter Contributing Editor  

National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) 
Membership Committee Chair
State Association Advisory Board


World Association of Detectives (WAD)

National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) 


International Association for Identification (IAI and RMDIAI) 
Mensa USA 
Tools for the
Litigation Attorney and Professional Investigator

 (click images for details)

PI Education

Death Investigation for Private Investigators

 
Pre-Order from PI Book Store
"Practical Methods for Legal Investigations" available at discounted price - $69.95

 
Investigator Case File System 

Investigator Case File System

Learn more - FREE eBook and sneak peek of the 'Investigator Case File System'
 
FREE Trial Notebook preview

Attorney Case Management System

Learn more - FREE eBook and sneak peek of the 'Attorney Case File System'


WEBINARS and SEMINARS


Training Webinars and Upcoming Seminars - details at:  www.PrivateInvestigations.org 


Contact us if you would sponsor a webinar or seminar - no cost to you and earn free attendance:

[email protected]  
Practical Methods For Legal Investigations:
Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases

PrepareInquire � Analyze � Document � Report

Practical Methods for Legal Investigations

 

Legal investigators are responsible for providing factual evidence - as the fact finders, they are the foundation for the attorneys they work with daily. The attorney is responsible for forming and implementing the legal strategy and presenting it to the judge or jury. The legal investigator provides checks and balances to ensure that no evidence is being forced upon a theory, and that no theory is being forced upon the evidence. Practical Methods for Legal Investigations: Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases presents legal investigators with a step-by-step process that reveals how to methodically find and report evidence in every aspect of the investigative process.

 

Similar to the scientific principle of using research to prove or disprove a theory, the author's Investigative Protocol is designed to find the facts that prove or disprove criminal charges, civil allegations, or elements thereof. The book includes case studies that clearly detail how the process of the Investigative Protocol applies to every assignment of the case and to the case as a whole. Comprehensive and methodical, the system provides a map to the truth.

 

by Dean A. Beers, CLI   

CRC Press - 20% discount and free shippingor our friends at Pre-Order from PI Book Store$69.95