Quaero Indicium'To Find the Evidence' Please distribute to others that may have an interest
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Greetings!
It has been a very busy month for our agency and profession - this newsletter is packed with news, tips and resources from all over! Last month we asked "Is there a serial killer in Colorado?" about the wrongful conviction of Robert Dewey. Wrongful convictions will always make the news, and a new study and review of these points to why. Speaking of studies, there is a new study on the suicide rate in the US and being intoxicated.
Our agency is called upon for many reasons - from investigations to consultations, and from finding the right investigator to the right expert. Being in business for nearly 25 years, we are part of and have developed, a vast network of resources. Like many agencies, our clients and potential clients want to know how we can help - Together We're Better! At AFI-LLC, we are Expert Medicolegal Death Investigators available to review the records, reports, photographs and evidentiary documentation in order to provide an opinion, within the scope of our education, training and experience, as to the circumstances of the death and/or injury and causation. Not just death cases, any personal injury or negligence incident; and not just as expert consultants, all general legal investigation of these. Our case examples are found at http://www.forensic-investigators.com/sample-cases.html.
As always, keep your news and resources coming and we'll do the best we can to share. To keep up with these, follow our blog and social networks - www.MedicolegalPI.com and www.facebook.com/4N6Associates.
AGENCY NEWS AND UPDATES
In less than one month, July 1st, Colorado's Volunteer Private Investigation License program will be active. The application process has been in place since mid April, with approved applicants receiving their license pocket cards. Karen has been issued PI-502 and Dean has been issued PI-503. Being licensed demonstrates to potential clients that the investigator has been vetted by the state for criminal history, as well as education, training and experience. Colorado is unique, in that it is voluntary with no obstructed path to obtaining the necessary qualifications. Although it is an individual choice, being qualified, and choosing to be licensed in a voluntary program demonstrates a commitment to our professionalism and clients.
You can apply for your Colorado license by visiting the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies - http://www.dora.state.co.us/private-investigator/index.htm
You do not need to be a resident or be based in Colorado. This is perfect for those having work in Colorado, based in Colorado, or in one of the few remaining states without a licensing program.
Beers, Karen S
https://www.doradls.state.co.us/alison.php?action=COMPDETAIL&ind=true&soboard=9999&lickey=MjQ5NzQ2Mg==&t_o_p=
Beers, Dean Alan
https://www.doradls.state.co.us/alison.php?action=COMPDETAIL&ind=true&soboard=9999&lickey=MjQ5NzQ2MA==&t_o_p=
In This Issue
-- Blogs and investigators in the news: Aaron Weese, Brandon Perron CCDI, Tom Shamshak, CCDI, Terry Cox CLI, Rod Baker CLI CCDI, John Hoda CLI and Roe Mesis! -- Karen's Corner: Wrongful Convictions and Comprehensive Investigations -- Dean's Desk: Saving Online Videos; Law Enforcement and HIPAA regulations -- In Closing: Suicide and Intoxication, plus Subject Matter Expertise Associations News-- Colorado Voluntary PI Licenses - applications now available online -- National Association of Legal Investigators - summer conference information -- National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) - Legislative Alert on EEOC rules on pre-employment background checks and update on Hit the Hill -- World Association of Detectives - coming announcement on joint NCISS and WAD fall annual conference -- Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI) Dean and Karen speaking |
Karen's Corner:
Wrongful Convictions and Comprehensive Investigations
(Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI) | |
False confessions and false accusations seem to be the "norm" these days.
Add to the mix one-angle sighted police officers, prosecutors, and jurors, you get wrongful convictions. These wrongful convictions take years to undo and those years taken away from the wrongfully convicted can never be given back.
Even when a lawsuit brings monetary gains to the wrongfully convicted, the wrong done can never be erased from their minds as well as the minds of others. Even when you have "exonerated" on your criminal record, some people believe you must have done something and are only getting off on some legal technicality. Yes, those legal technicalities do exist although rare, and the numbers keep mounting up for the innocent victims of our judicial system.
(this article continues - Read the full article)
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
Saving Online Videos, and Law Enforcement & HIPAA
(Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI) | Saving Online Videos
Here is a very useful tip! I have seen many requests for how to download integrated and flash video from websites - they really don't want you to do that. Last month I needed to download a couple YouTube videos - there are hard ways and there are easy ways. The best are the easy and FREE ways.
The one that worked best for me is www.SaveVid.com. It does require a Javascript applet, but that is it. Copy the URL from the video site to the SaveVid site, pick the resolution (I recommend the HD for best quality and use across multiple OS platforms). After that it captures the video and gives you a link to save. This works on YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and a few others (I have not tried Google+).
Law Enforcement and HIPAA
First, what is HIPAA? Its not HIPPA (common - and thought to be Health Insurance Patient Privacy Act or similar); it is HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Recently the following question was posed on an association listserv:
"Can a doctor release an individual's medical records to Law Enforcement without the individual's written consent?" and if law enforcement could get around this for a criminal investigation. The investigator asked a relative, a surgeon, and was told "...it is absolutely against HIPAA to release information without consent from an individual."
What do you think the answer is? Follow this link for the answer and details
 | 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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 | | Forensic Pathology Consultations |
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).
Dr. Cina is also the co-author of the non-fiction historical look at "When Doctors Kill" available at http://whendoctorskill.forensic-investigators.com
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Agency News and Updates
| PrivateInvestigations.org expanded to include emails, subdomains, books and resources
We have expanded PrivateInvestigations.org to include not only email and subdomains, but books and resources for investigations and business operations.
Promotional video for 'Practical Methods for Legal Investigations' While visiting Mount Rushmore, one of our favorite places and an icon to our country, we made a brief video about Dean's book. The video is at http://youtu.be/nnCSNIBGW6I.
Dean and Karen 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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Associations and Industry News
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We were unable to attend this year, but hope to have some exciting news to share next month. We wish all of our NALI friends and colleagues a great time in Chicago! Don't forget, to find out more about NALI, their informative association magazine - The Legal Investigator is a good start! Consider joining NALI, you will be glad you did!
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org)NCISS has a new website - very nice! The address remains the same. Also, NCISS has arranged a very special benefit for members only discount program with Office Depot. This is a special discount program for in-store and online supplies. The savings on toner alone for one year more than pays for our NCISS membership. 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, Region 5A Director (CO, NE, WY & AZ) with any questions. < Membership Special Offer Details > World Association of Detectives (www.WAD.net)
WAD and NCISS are planning a joint conference and annual meeting in Boston this September. Please watch next month's newsletter for details.
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).
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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
Thomas Shamshak, CCDI added to AFI-LLC Experts
Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC is proud to announce that Tom is now associated with our agency as a consulting police procedures and protocols expert. For details, please view the < Press Release >. Tom has recently contributed a mulit-part article on the core investigative skills at www.PINow.com.
Aaron Weese of [Truth] Investigations (VA)
Aaron has a great blog on hiring a PI, and he recently posted "Its Not All Sweating in a Hot Car" (http://truthprivatei.com/hiring-a-p-i/its-not-all-sweating-in-a-hot-car/). He was kind enough to comment on Dean's book and relate how the same process for legal investigations applies to surveillance investigations. All investigations begin with preparation! Visit Aaron's blog often if you are an investigator, use investigators or are considering doing so.
Brandon Perron, CCDI
Brandon is the National Director of the Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council. This is a new blog and one to keep your eye on! http://brandonperroninvestigator.blogspot.com/.
Terry Cox, CLI on Working with Legal Investigators
Terry is the National Director of NALI and was recently a guest on Law Talk Radio hosted by attorney Nick Augustine. Mr. Augustine will also be a presenter at the upcoming NALI conference in Chicago (June 7-9 - www.NALI.com). < Listen to the show >
Rod Baker, CLI, CCDI Testifies in Corruption Probe
Thanks to Bill Elliott, CLI, CCDI for sharing this. Rod is a former U.S. probation chief for
Oklahoma's Northern District. He testified in the corruption probe of Tulsa Police Officer John K. "J.J." Gray that the former informant he spoke to within the last 60 days fled Oklahoma out of fear of the alleged heist plan and has not returned. < Read the full story >
John Hoda, CLI
John wants you to check out the sizzle reel for 'The Money Trail'. He is hoping to have this catch the attention of some networks as a new reality series pilot. < View the video >
Rosemarie Mesis featured in Asbury Park Press
Roe was featured in 'Getting Ahead: Life as a private investigator proves a great choice for local woman'. She is the co-owner of PI Magazine, PI Store and PI Gear. <Read the full story > Do you have a book to be reviewed or special announcement? Let us know!
If you want to send a complimentary copy, we will gladly review it for you and also provide a customized press release and distribution.
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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In Closing...Suicide Studies; Expertise; and Forensics Failures
| Recent study links intoxication to suicides
A large-scale study has found that nearly a quarter of U.S. suicide victims are intoxicated when they die. Read this full article at http://soc.li/y5koTgU.
This study only considered alcohol consumption. Our experience includes everything from alcohol to illicit drugs and prescription medications. Intoxication often leads families to wonder if their was intent to commit suicide.
For related articles posted to our agency blog, please visit http://www.forensic-investigators.com/1/post/2011/12/unfortunately-this-is-the-time-of-year-in-which-suicides-increase-please-read-this-article-by-karen-concerning-this-tragedy-and-might-help-a-loved-one-and-save-a-life-lt-understanding-suicide-and-its-prevention-gt.html and http://www.forensic-investigators.com/1/post/2012/01/what-are-the-10-drugs-found-in-toxicology-testing-of-decedents.html
Subject Matter Expertise
In our judicial system there is a need for experts - expertise is what may assist the trier of fact in assessing the evidence based upon testimony of a person with competent education, training and expertise. Our judicial system also needs investigators. < Continue to full article >
Forensic Failures
Wrongful convictions are often failures of incomplete investigations. Dean has written about the manipulation - or distortion - of the facts and evidence.
For additional information, read 'Just Because its Forensics' ( http://www.forensic-investigators.com/uploads/8/7/3/8/8738199/tli_-_just_because_its_forensics_-_12-2010.pdf), these flaws and systemic accountability need recognized in order to address the issue of wrongful convictions. Dean also posted about this at http://www.forensic-investigators.com/1/post/2012/04/convicted-defendants-uninformed-of-forensic-failures.html
It is cases like these in which a qualified forensic investigation expert is of great benefit to the legal team. < Continued >
*** Please read this full column, and expanded sections, at http://newsletterscontinued.forensic-investigators.com/
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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)
Associates in Forensic Investigations, 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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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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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 |
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