Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
A Colorado Limited Liability Company and Licensed Private Investigators
www.DeathCaseReview.com ~ (970) 480-7793
Quaero Indicium -'To Find the Evidence'
Please distribute to others that may have an interest
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Dear (Contact First Name),
Television is filled nightly with multiple fictional crime shows - some are 'taken from the headlines' and others are 'purely fictional' -- all solved within 45 minutes. Some even have a concurrent trial and conviction in that amount of time. Real CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) - or any law enforcement and judicial event - are not as seen on TV. We know that, or should - but, those who investigators and attorneys work with every day do not. These are potential clients and potential jurors. Fictionalized dramas result in convictions, end of story. In reality, that is not the end of the story. This empirical drama that is not reality is revealed when a wrongful conviction is overturned - whether sentenced for several years, life or death. You never see that on dramatized TV, but we see it in the courtroom. This month we bring you additional insight into the growing reality that CSI is not as seen on TV, and CSI may often take place long after the conviction. In reality, the work should begin by the legal investigator as soon as the defendant retains an attorney. IN THIS ISSUE -- Arizona Wrongful Conviction Due to Corruption -- Colorado Wrongful Convictions -- Wrongfully Convicted and Freed in New York -- Texas, DNA and the Death Penalty -- Forensic Science Simplified -- New Articles from AFI-LLC -- AFI-LLC in the News -- Passing of a Friend - Vince Ruffolo -- Much More!!
AFI-LLC - Our agency is called upon for many reasons - from investigations to consultations, and from finding the right investigator to the right expert. We have recently added to our case examples found at http://www.DeathCaseReview.com/sample-cases.html. |
| Bits and Pieces | |
CSI IS NOT AS SEEN ON TV - ASK THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED
As legal investigators and expert consultants, we have been sought out more frequently in the past few years by attorneys looking for assistance in overcoming the CSI myths - before the courtroom drama. Part of our tasks are to completely deconstruct the official investigation, provided through prosecution discovery, and analyze the investigative process and compliance with investigative standards and protocols. Following a complete analysis are opinions, advice and recommendations to assist with legal strategy and the investigative process. AFI-LLC is an integral part of the team - to both the attorneys and investigators. The majority of have merit, but we are most often sought out when a potential conviction is not supported by the evidence, but a CSI glazed jury may not see that.
COLORADO - WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS
How much does Colorado owe people imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit?
Good question. But - how about asking how much it cost to wrongfully convict (law enforcement and prosecution, and possibly court paid defense)? How about how much it cost to imprison them? How about that money does not return lost freedoms and years.
That being said, other states - including TX - have laws. Colorado is considering $70,000 per year of wrongful incarceration. Before you say that Colorado cannot afford it - they simply need to figure it out, Colorado put them there. We think it should come from the budget of the agencies and jurisdictions - city, county - that put them there.
We all want criminals caught, convicted and punished. We don't want our rights violated and We don't want people wrongfully convicted.
Yes, it is the sensible thing to do.
http://www.9news.com/news/politics/321847/166/CO-mulls-money-for-wrongful-imprisonment
ARIZONA - WRONGFUL CONVICTION (CORRUPTION)
The US 9th Circuit reversed the conviction of Debra Milke, who has been on Arizona's death row for 22 years, allegedly for arranging the killing of her 4-year-old son.
Her conviction and death sentence were both overturned after she spent 22 years on death row. The court said prosecutors failed to disclose a history of misconduct by a detective who provided key incriminating testimony regarding Milke.
It's all due to corruption allegations against the detective who investigated the case and the prosecutor who tried it. Read on: http://on.kdvr.com/syAAagI
TEXAS - DNA AND DEATH PENALTY
Texas Bill Would Require DNA Testing before Death-penalty Trials
A law proposed in Texas would require all biological evidence collected in cases in which the state is seeking the death penalty to undergo DNA testing before trial, a change intended to reduce the risk of an innocent person being put to death.
www.forensicmag.com/news/texas-bill-would-require-dna-testing-death-penalty-trials
WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND FREED IN NY
From Karen: Here is yet another story of freedom for a person imprisoned yet claimed his innocence. This case is not about DNA evidence setting him free. "No physical evidence linked the unemployed drug addict to the crime, and the diamond courier never identified him as the bandit. But a jury found him guilty anyway based on witness testimony and circumstantial evidence."
Although this man has been freed, and it has been reported that another man, now deceased, confessed to his wife that he actually did the killing; the victim's family have to relive their trauma with questions, disbelief and heartache once again.
Another release, yet another unsolved murder. In this case, if true that at least one witness was coerced by the detective to "pick the one with the big nose", then surely we have come a long way in having some integrity and using all available tools to conduct a thorough investigation to assist in stopping these false accusations.
FORENSIC SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED
CSI as not seen on TV - just what is used in scene investigations (not all scenes are crime scenes)? Here's is a handy site to get some quick info on the aspects of the various forensic sciences - http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org.
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Our Expert Forensic Affiliations
|  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.
Dr. Cina is the Chief Medical Examiner of a large metropolitan area in the upper mid-west, and Dr. Schueler is currently is the Laboratory Director in a private laboratory in California, and has been a Chief Toxicologist for over 22 years at government laboratories in Cincinnati, Ohio and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Through Forensic Toxicology Consulting Services, he provides private consultations nationally.
Contact our office to consult on medicolegal death and injury causation. The CVs of both Dr. Cina and Dr. Schueler are available by contacting us.
Dr. Cina is also the co-author of the non-fiction historical look at "When Doctors Kill" available at http://whendoctorskill.PrivateInvestigations.org and his consultation website is at www.AutopsyReview.net.
We are proud to continue our working relationship with Dr. Cina, since 2002.
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Agency News and Updates |
NEW ARTICLES FROM AFI-LLC
AFI-LLC has been busy, with two new articles recently published.
Karen and Dean have co-authored 'The Question of Suicide - Equivocal Death Investigations'
From Voltaire, "To the living we owe respect. To the dead we owe only the truth." That is the purpose of an Equivocal Death Analysis and Investigation (EDA or EDI); collectively referred to as equivocal death case review. One of the most common questions in death investigation is: "Was it a Suicide?" AFI-LLC has put together this article to help answer the complex questions of these traumatic events.
Please, if you or anyone you know has any suicidal ideations or attempts or troubling behavior - call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or our agency, we will help in any way we can. Of course if their is life threatening behavior, call 911 immediately. Read the article at
Dean's article, 'Creating a Team Creates Opportunities for Legal Investigators' has been published in 'The Legal Investigator' (TLI)
From a business perspective, the ability to quickly create a case-specific ad hoc team means you never have to decline a case that doesn't match up with your particular investigative skills.
TLI is the bi-monthly official journal of the National Association of Legal Investigators. Dean is a regular contributor, approximately every other issue. The current issue is at
A Professional Recommendation
AFI-LLC received a recommendation from a NALI colleague via LinkedIn - "Dean was exceptionally helpful to me and my team in a suIcide case we investigated for the mother of the deceased. He responded to a listerve request I made to the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI). Dean spent considerable time at no charge to provide an expert opinion regarding gunshot residue. His help was invaluable to our case and was instrumental in opening other avenues of inquiry."
Dean - 'Alex had spent a considerable amount of his own time on this case, and it came to reviewing the scene evidence and photographs. We were glad to help. At the very least, it eased the family in an already strained relationship with the co-habitating girlfriend.'
ASIS Professional Standards Committee
Dean has been nominated and accepted to the ASIS International committee for developing professional standards.
There is an American National Standard to be jointly developed between ASIS International (ASIS) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), namely, Managing the Investigative Process - Guidance on Conducting Investigations. The standard will provide guidance on establishing and implementing an organizational investigations program, including the principles of investigations, managing an organizational investigations program and conducting organizational investigations, as well as guidance on the evaluation of competence of individuals involved in the investigation process.
BEERS WITH OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
Dean's book at www.BeersWithOurFoundingFathers.com will be available in paperback and Kindle by April 19th. Details at http://www.beerswithourfoundingfathers.com/order.html
LETTERS FROM YESTERYEAR
Karen's book has been published at Smashwords. The book is a collection of actual letters she transcribed from the late 1800's.One of the best ways to learn about history is from people who actually lived and documented what they experienced. Letters From Yesteryear is a collection of letters written between the years 1879 and 1900. Letters From Yesteryear, an Ebook by Karen Beers - www.LettersFromYesteryear.com
Dean and Karen are Colorado licensed private investigators and full-time RV Investigators (Team Beers) with offices in Colorado and South Dakota, covering the Rocky Mountain states and nationally.
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 certified in Medicolegal Death Investigations, having trained and worked as a Deputy Coroner at two medical examiner's offices. 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.
Karen has been a Legal Investigator and research specialist, since 1996. She has a Bachelor's in Social Work from Colorado State University (Magna Cum Laude) and in 2011 earned the designation Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI) and is also certified in Medicolegal Death Investigations. Together they operate Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC. In addition to her skilled interactions with troubled youths, she also trained and worked as a Deputy Coroner at a 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. In addition, she has written for prominent professional investigation journals and was instrumental in the revisions and contributions to both agency books, as well as the co-development of "Death Investigations for Private Investigators" for PIEducation.com |
Associations and News of Our Profession
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Professional Private investigations Association of Colorado (www.PPIAC.org)
Monthly meetings are the first Wednesday of each month, usually in the Denver metro area. Visit the PPIAC website for details.
PPIAC will be holding the first annual awards banquet on April 20th. This banquet, and awards, are open to the public and all PIs. Visit www.PPIAC.org for details.
Also, the PPIAC Quarterly (Spring 2013) newsletter is available at
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/PPIAC-Quarterly--Spring-2013-Edition.html?soid=1112677050866&aid=p1nAlHyn04U
National Association of Legal Investigators (www.NALI.com)
The newest issue of NALI's official journal - The Legal Investigator - is now available online at http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=151798.
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org)
The annual board meeting and Hit the Hill is coming up April 15-17. Also included is SAAB University (State Association Advisory Board) to assist new state association board members. For details visit http://www.nciss.org/news-and-events/latest-events.php.
Members of NCISS receive a copy of the twice-yearly published 'The Report' has just been posted online at http://www.nciss.org/documents/The_Report_Spring_2013.Web.pdf. The bi-monthly eReport newsletter is also available online. Feel free to share these.
NCISS wants to share this great savings with you - super discounts at Office Depot for supplies at http://nciss.ctcshares.com (the discounts could be enough to pay our annual dues). NCISS also sends out important legislative alerts. If you are interested in these alerts, consider joining NCISS. These alerts are immediately posted on our agency website at At the very least, drop us an email and we will make sure you get the alerts as they happen.
World Association of Detectives (www.WAD.net)
WAD will be meeting in England to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Association of British Investigators (ABI). AFI-LLC has several friends and colleagues in England and the ABI, and Dean has written some articles for their professional journal.
The value of networking extends beyond your local clients, and should include statewide, nationally and internationally. This should include your state association, NALI, NCISS and of course WAD for international camaraderie. You can contact us for membership information for any of these associations. As the WAD Governor of the Americas (USA, Canada, Central America, Caribbean and Argentina), Dean is interested in answering your WAD membership questions. You can also contact any of the WAD Ambassadors.
The WAD magazine, Beyond Global, is availabile online at http://www.wad.net/page/newsletter.aspx .
Other Association News
Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI - www.FALI.org) is having their Southeast Super Conference in Orlando, FL - May 18th & 19th.
California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI - www.CALI-PI.org) is having their annual conference in June. Dean will be a keynote speaker, following Dr. Henry Lee. Did you know that Dean and Dr. Lee are two of a handful of forensic professionals to investigate a death involving a woodchipper?
If your association has news, please send it to us for inclusion.
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In the News
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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
Two more friends and colleagues have published books - one is an experienced author, and the other is his debut!
Steve Brown - new book published
Friend and colleague, Steve Brown, has just released his newest book. He is best known for his popular book - 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating'
"5 Things Women Need to Know About the Men They Date" it is full of great advice for women and men. It shows you, the reader, what to look for in the person you're dating and how to find out if what he/she is telling you is the truth or not. It tells you what to look for, where to search, how to do it, and who to talk to. It is chocked full of real life examples from the author's own private investigative files.
The book is available from Amazon at http://astore.amazon.com/assoinforeinv-20/detail/B00C3PUM5S
Clem Pellet - debut book
'Dastardly - the Story is Fiction, the Evil is Real'
Clem Pellet has become a friend and colleague (from dental surgeon to accidental PI) because of a compelling personal true crime experience. His debut novel is a dark comedy of errors with a tone similar to the movie "Fargo." It follows the case of one small-time thief-turned-killer whose crimes set an entire community at one another's throats. The grandstanding for and against the killer's trial verdict causes the major players to forget the killer and his victims while they perform political posturing for a confused public and an eager press. When the killer eventually escapes and disappears, the community is too involved in their battle to notice.
The book is available from Amazon at http://astore.amazon.com/assoinforeinv-20/detail/1482069245
Investigation Books - fiction and non-fiction - for every PI
AFI-LLC has compiled some of the leading books for private investigators, by private investigators, including those for specialized certifications. Many of the authors are also friends of AFI-LLC. Included are fiction and non-fiction novels. You can find these books and order direct from Amazon at http://amazon.privateinvestigations.org
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.
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| 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...Remembering Vince Ruffolo
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Our profession recently lost a friend to many. Dean first met Vince at an NCISS in Chicago a few years ago and in recent years joined Vince on the NCISS board. It was sure to be a friendship like so many others that we have heard about since Vince's passing.
The National Council of Investigation & Security Services and World Association of Detectives will be recognizing Vince's life in a special tribute, which we will share next month. For now, a special message from one of Vince's longtime friends.
Vince Ruffolo, NCISS Legislative Chair - Security, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friends and Colleagues:
It is with an extremely heavy heart I report the passing of my great friend, colleague and consummate security professional, Vince Ruffolo. Vince passed away in the hospital Sunday evening after suffering a major stroke early Saturday morning. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to get to Chicago Sunday morning to pay my respects to Vince and his family prior to his passing. He will truly be missed by all of us who knew him and loved him.
I am in close contact with Chris Thornton and once arraignments have been made I'll be sure to pass along that information to everyone.
May our dear friend rest in peace. Our memories will last forever.
Gary H. Kuty (President & CEO - Kuty & Associates, LLC) |
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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 provide investigations and consultations of any death or injury causation case from any location with the conveniences of modern technology and assistance of our local professional friends and colleagues.
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@DeathCaseReview.com)
Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI (beersks@DeathCaseReview.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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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) California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) International Association for Identification (IAI) and (RMDIAI) |
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