Quaero Indicium'To Find the Evidence' Please distribute to others that may have an interest
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Greetings!
Spring is here and for many our clocks were an hour different. If you're in Colorado spring is great - but just wait as the temperature will fluctuate all day and from one day to the next.
It has been very busy for our profession, so we will try to put as much news in this issue as possible. We appreciate all the feedback and contributions of news and tidbits.
We want to congratulate our good friend and colleague, Tom Shamshak (Shamshak Investigative Services), who is also the Program Director and lead instructor for the Boston University Professional Investigation Program. PI Now has ranked it as the #2 investigative education program (and is on our list of educational resources). You can read the full article, and find links to the BU program, at http://www.pinow.com/articles/1115/top-25-private-investigator-training-education-2012.
For our investigative colleagues, we have developed a special referral program that is mutually beneficial to your cases. Go to http://referralinfo.forensic-investigators.com
We have updated our blog address, which is the most interactive method of keeping our colleagues and clients up to date on a weekly, even daily basis. This month we have several new items of interest, from Best of the Blog to a list of associations and educational resources. The address is easy to remember - www.MedicolegalPI.com.
One of the recent entries to our blog is a look at the recent fatal shooting in Florida. It has been all over the news. This article looks at it from the perspective of the investigator - the disinterested party.
The other daily updates for clients and colleagues is our business Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/4N6Associates. Please note the address change - to better reflect both our new agency name and our growing national consultation services, we have developed a new page and address. In appreciation, after you have 'Liked' our page, please visit http://fblike.forensic-investigators.com to download a free investigative article. We also offer daily and weekly interactive news, updates, professional colleague profiles and special offers from our agency that are unique to Facebook.
Our services are focused on those that are victims of traumatic or fatal injuries and events, both civil and criminal. Full legal investigative services are available, as well as subject matter expertise consultations. These are available to families, victims, attorneys, insurance companies and most commonly through our fellow professional colleagues. Based in Colorado, reaching nationwide. Visit our agency website, front page - www.Forensic-Investigators.com, for details (* flat fee available).
Expert Consultations and Investigations:
-- Basic Equivocal Death or Injury Causation Analysis *
-- Standard Equivocal Death or Injury Causation Investigation *-- Advanced Equivocal Death or Injury Causation Investigation *-- Comprehensive Equivocal Death or Injury Causation Investigation -- Affiliated expert forensic consultants and related specialized services. Legal Investigations: -- Critical Case Analysis
-- Civil, Criminal & Probate Litigation Investigations
-- Scene & Evidence Investigation and Documentation
-- Individual Locate Investigations *-- Background Records Checks and/or Investigations *-- Assets & Liabilities Records Checks and/or Investigations *AGENCY NEWS AND UPDATES
-- Vanity 'PrivateInvestigations.org' email and subdomains available
-- AFI-LLC, Dean and Karen, featured guests on 'Crime Time with Vito Colucci'
-- Dean speaking at TALI conference in August
In This Issue
-- Education and training resources -- Sheriff staff fights cancer in fundraiser -- Online data class action lawsuit -- Article from Hal Humphreys - attorney and investigator relationship Association News-- Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC) Notice of Proposed Licensing Rules - Update from DORA, and legislative updates, current newsletter and fall conference information -- National Association of Legal Investigators - summer conference information -- National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) - Legislative Alert on FTC actions, fall conference information and Hit the Hill event sponsors needed -- World Association of Detectives (WAD) International Conference - Cannes, France in May |
Karen's Corner:
AFI-LLC Best of the Blog
(Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI) | NEWS, UPDATES AND INFORMATION
In an effort to keep our clients, colleagues and those interested in our profession informed, a monthly newsletter is sometimes just not enough. Many have used social networking or a blog. We have combined these resources to reach and inform as many as possible. In October 2011, just as we began celebrating 24 years, we started our agency blog at www.MedicolegalPI.com. Recently we have taken the best of the news and updates and put them together for you. You can go to the blog and keep current, and you can go directly to the Best of the Blog. There are a variety of topics covered from news, tips, current trends and other timely and relevant information for everyone. We also update our agency Facebook page, which also enables us to quickly share information from other investigators. Visit us at www.Facebook.com/4N6Associates and after you 'Like' us, visit http://fblike.privateinvestigations.org to download a free investigative how-to article.
This month is a word scramble based on television shows of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, with a few current ones - 50 years of PIs and related shows on TV! Go to http://puzzles.forensic-investigators.com to print the puzzle and have some fun!
What are some experiences, studies and consequences of either investigating the scene or not? In your experience, what made this important? (Karen's Corner continues)
Our agency offers FREE consultations to any private sector investigator on how to begin a proper scene investigation. Associates@Forensic-Investigators.com or (970) 480-7793
The puzzle will return next month. The puzzles are at http://puzzles.forensic-investigators.com. Email your puzzle and article ideas to beersks@Forensic-Investigators.com About Karen: | Karen S. Beers
BSW, CCDI
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Karen has been a Legal Investigator and Administrative Assistant, since 1996. She recently earned the designation Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI). 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. |
Dean's Desk
Education and Training Resources
(Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI) | We are frequently contacted about training opportunities. This is in part due to our involvement in multiple associations and familiarity with many training programs based on our own training seminars and experiences.
There are numerous opportunities. There are two considerations when looking for the right training program and modules. After assessing your current and desired skill levels, as well as costs, the two important components are if you require continuing education (some states, associations and certifications do), and if you will want in-person training, online training or a combination. Although not comprehensive, I have put together a list of those programs and/or the developers and instructors that I am familiar with. There is a great range of costs, time commitment and modules. With this profession growing and changing rapidly, it is important to set yourself above the rest by keeping your mind - education, training and experience - sharp.
One of the benefits of a blog, as well as social networking, is updating these types of dynamic lists. You can visit our blog at www.MedicolegalPI.com and recently I have put the specific list at http://www.forensic-investigators.com/1/post/2012/04/training-and-education-information.html (this link will change each month as updated). Feel free to send me your experiences. Although we may not specifically endorse a product or program, we will verify all information before sharing it with our colleagues.
 | Dean A. Beers
CLI, CCDI |
About Dean:
Dean is a subject matter expert in the areas of death investigation and personal injury causation. He is the only Board Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) in northern Colorado, a faculty consultant and Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI) and is also a certified Medicolegal Death Investigator. He continues to speak extensively on investigative techniques and principles and has authored multiple peer-reviewed white papers, and self-published "Professional
Investigations: Individual Locates, Backgrounds and Assets & Liabilities" and recently published "Practical Methods for Legal Investigations" (CRC Press) He currently consults nationwide as an expert in criminal defense homicide and civil equivocal death investigations. |
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Our Expert Forensic Affiliations
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We believe that medicolegal investigation and consultation is a team effort. Stephen Cina MD, Harold Schueler PhD, and our agency are affiliated as experts in our respective fields offering our clients comprehensive medicolegal services.
Contact our office to consult on medicolegal death and injury causation. Dr. Cina's CV (Forensic Pathology services), are available at his website - Autopsy Review. Dr. Schueler (Forensic Toxicology services).
James Warson MD, founded the Front Range Center for Brain and Spine Surgery in Fort Collins, CO. and is available for related consultations. Dr. Warson can be contacted through our office.
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Agency News and Updates
| Vanity ' PrivateInvestigations.org' email and subdomains available
You can have your own vanity professional email address and subdomain that shows who you are. These are not email or domain hosting services -- these will forward to the email address and website you choose.
Which is better for your branded professional image?
'agent007@genericemail.com' or 'agent007@privateinvestigations.org'
'http://agent007.genericdomain.com' or 'http://agency007.privateinvestigations.org'
It takes only minutes to setup and customize to enhance your professional image and brand.
AFI-LLC featured for the full hour of 'Crime Time with Vito Colucci'
Dean and Karen join friend and renowned private investigator Vito Colucci on his syndicated talk show - Crime Time with Vito Colucci! Learn what makes this husband and wife team machine operate smoothly and their devotion to their clients, victims and families of traumatic and fatal events.
(http://www.forensic-investigators.com/1/post/2012/03/dean-and-karen-beers-guests-on-crime-time-with-vito-colucci.html)
Dean speaking again at the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators
Dean spoke last year at the TALI conference, an association which he is a member, and was asked to return for an expanded time-frame and topic. In addition, he will also be teaching a required continuing education module for the Texas Certified Investigator program. Being asked to return is an honor, and being an instructor for the TCIs is a particular honor.
This conference, TALIs International Conference of Investigative Associations, is going to be another Texas-sized experience. Visit http://www.icia2012.net/ for details and hope to see you there!
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Association and Industry News
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Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (www.PPIAC.org)
Last month the link was incorrect (DORA changed the link) -- here is the correct link: http://www.dora.state.co.us/private-investigator/index.htm
The licensing program in Colorado will be effective July 2012. The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) has set the licensing fee and rules. You can now be finger printed, which is specific to this program, and mail them to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation with the appropriate fee. About mid April DORA will make the applications available online. The clearance by CBI is reported to take up to 12 weeks, so plan in advance and don't delay!
House Bill 12-1231, a bill concerning DMV records and the licensed PI, has been signed into law by the governor and will be in effect at about the same time that licensing begins! PPIAC continues to monitor, and oppose, House Bill 12-1036, a bill concerning closing some open records held by law enforcement. To date there have been no amendments agreed to. This bill is very damaging to open and public records in Colorado (which scored a 'D+' nationwide for its open records access). Finally, set your calendars for October 19 & 20 at the Antlers Hilton Hotel in Colorado Springs. Keep an eye on the www.PPIAC.org website for details in May and June!
National Association of Legal Investigators (www.NALI.com)
NALI is the premiere national association for legal investigators - civil plaintiff and criminal defense. NALI also publishes a very informative association magazine - The Legal Investigator. Consider joining NALI, you will be glad you did!
The latest edition of 'The Legal Investigator' is available online and is, as always, worth every chance to read! Also, the summer conference details set - Chicago June 7-9!
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org)'Hit the Hill', the annual trip to Washington DC so NCISS leaders and members can meet with our lawmakers, is now in April instead of November. This year it is April 15-18 - details on the NCISS website. Legislative Alert! A congressional panel examined the Obama Administration's Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights. Last month, the Commerce Department released recommendations in its report "Consumer Data Privacy in a Networked World: A Framework for Protecting Privacy and Promoting Innovation and the Global Digital Economy." (we have put this update on our blog at http://www.forensic-investigators.com/1/post/2012/03/nciss-legislative-alert-ftc-renews-call-for-regulation-of-data-brokers.html) If you are a private investigator or security officer, consider joining NCISS. The introductory membership is $99 for the first year and prorated upon the following year at renewal; regular annual dues are $140); the $25 application fee is waived. Feel free to contact Dean, the Region 5A Director (CO, NE, WY & AZ - he can answer all of your questions). < Membership Special Offer Details > World Association of Detectives (www.WAD.net)
The mid-term conference for WAD is in Cannes, France from May 3rd to 5th at the InterContinental Hotel. This year they are holding the annual conference, in conjunction with NCISS, in Boston this September.
WAD has international geographical coverage of a diversified group of investigators and security professionals. If you are in any way involved in or interested in being involved in international investigations and contacts, WAD is the oldest and largest association. Contact Dean (beersda@Forensoc-Investigators.com), WAD Ambassador (North America - West) for details. Other Association News (if your association has news, please send it to us for inclusion consideration). The 2012 Association One conference to be hosted by (ADSAI) Associated Detectives and Security Agencies of Illinois on May 9th, 10th and 11th at the William Tell Holiday Inn in Countryside, IL. For more information go to www.associationsone.net
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In the News
|  News happens so fast, please visit our agency blog for daily and weekly posts on news of interest - www.MedicolegalPI.com or our business Facebook page at www.facebook.com/4N6Associates
Larimer County (CO) Sheriff Deputies Fight Cancer
Lt. Stacy Shaffer, Sgt. John Feyen and Lt. Robert Cook are attending Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. One of the traditions of the school is that each class selects a charity to work for in raising money as a legacy gift from the class. This year, the class legacy project is asking for support in reaching their goal to raise $10,000 for the Cops Fighting Cancer Organization. < click for more information >
Fort Collins Police (CO) Make Arrest for False Reporting
In January two females reported being sexually assaulted by three males at a local hotel and conference center. After extensive investigation it was determined that the incident did not occur as reported, and the sexual contacts were consensual. The two females have been charged. Being falsely accused of any serious crime has unintended consequences. In our criminal defense investigations we find this occurrence too often. The Fort Collins Police, and Larimer County District Attorney's Office are to be commended for this diligent work in clearing the three males. This is not to imply any guilt or validity of the charges against the females, they have the same Constitutional rights as each of us and the three males. < full press release >
Online Data Provider Faces Class Action Lawsuits
PI Newswire (www.PINewswire.net) brings us this update...
In two class actions on the frontier of Internet law, people claim that Intelius and Digimedia dba Peoplefinder work as private investigators in Missouri without state certification. These types of companies are the most unreliable sources of information (unless you count on old and unverified information). Because this information, and its sources, cannot be verified, they are not usable in the judicial system. < continue to full story >
Attorneys: Why You Should Hire a P.I. and How Best to Use Him (or Her)
Our friend and colleague, Hal Humphreys, recently wrote this excellent and informative article for our friends at PursuitMag.com. If you're a busy attorney, and you've never considered hiring a private investigator, you're throwing away money. No matter how skilled, experienced, or efficient you are, you can't possibly get to all the work that crosses your desk. You can't do the fishing for case-making facts as thoroughly as you would like. < continue to full article >
How Exploitation and Manipulation Equals Rush to Injustice
This is a new blog op-ed from AFI-LLC. In the news, non-stop, is the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year old black male that was fatally shot by George Zimmerman, a volunteer neighborhood watch member that was armed. The purpose of this blog is not to analyze this case, but to point out some key issues. < continue to the blog op-ed >
Upcoming book review
Friend and colleague, Brandon Perron, CCDI (author of 'Uncovering Reasonable Doubt') has just published 'Forensic Testimonial Evidence Recovery - The FTER Method'. Look for our review of this book soon (will be posted to our blog first)! You can email Amy@BrandonPerronPI.com for details on this excellent book.
Do you have a book to be reviewed?
If you want to send a complimentary copy, we will gladly review it for you and also provide you a complimentary eBook of your choice. Contact our office for details.
Scott Harrell's complete review for Pursuit Magazine
Burt Hodge's complete review for Florida Association of Licensed InvestigatorsBob Wall's complete review for Professional Private Investigators Association of CO Don Johnson's complete review for PI Magazine Jennifer Brown, CLI, JD, is the Editor for the quarterly newsletter of the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado, writes "Awesome book, Dean. Should be required reading for investigators. It's helped me clean up some of my procedures." |
| The Quint-Essential 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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Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
 | | Dean and Karen Beers |
specializes in the Expert Consultations and Legal Investigations of Personal Injuries, Negligence and Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation.
We can consult on any death or injury causation case from any location with the conveniences of modern technology. Call us today, we're glad to help!
We are the PRIDE of Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC - Professional Reliable Investigators Defining Excellence 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, CCDI (beersda@Forensic-Investigators.com)
Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI (beersks@Forensic-Investigators.com)
Forensic Investigators of Colorado, LLC
Office: (970) 480-7793 (Dean x1 and Karen x2) ~ Fax: (970) 480-7794 |
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Newsletter and Press Release Archives from July 2010
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Download our Agency Information and Case Request Packetclick here
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Featured Articles
Dean and Karen have several articles published, some are available for reprint.
For details email:
Associates@Forensic-Investigators.com
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Find Us at:
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Dean is at:
Karen is at:
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Professional Associations
Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC)
National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS)
World Association of Detectives (WAD) Criminal Defense Investigation Council (CDITC) National Defender Investigator Association (NDIA) Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI) Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI) National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) International Association for Identification (IAI) and (RMDIAI) (Rocky Mountain Division)National Association of Professional Women Mensa USA |
Tools for the
Litigation Attorney and Professional Investigator (click images for details)
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