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),
We use our newsletter to share news of our profession and agency. This month we are sadly sharing some sad news for many.
On April 15, 2013 - a day no one will forget. Dean was in Washington DC for a board meeting and meeting of Congressional leaders, with the National Council of Investigation & Security Services (NCISS). He was sitting next to our good friend and colleague, Tom Shamshak. They rode up the elevator together and discussed plans of the evening and the next day. Then Dean walked in his room and saw the news. He immediately called Tom, who hails from Boston. It was shocking.
Tom shared the following message with NCISS and the World Association of Detectives:
"The past week is a blur. In my 62 years of living here in greater Boston and working as a cop for 21 years, I have never experienced anything quite like what occurred beginning on Patriot's Day, last Monday.
Immediately after the NCISS Board Meeting ended Monday afternoon, I returned to my hotel room and quickly received a telephone call from Dean Beers alerting that an explosion had occurred at the Finish Line of the Boston Marathon. I turned on the television and was shocked at the news. I made a few telephone calls and learned that my appointments with congressional members on Tuesday were understandably cancelled. I flew home Tuesday morning and went to Copley Square that afternoon. It was painful learning from my cop friends that a number of the casualties had lost limbs, and even more painful to learn that among the three dead was an eight year old youngster. More pain came after a young MIT police officer was killed and a Transit officer shot by the two bombing suspects. The MIT officer is from the same city where I was raised, and he was waiting to join the first police department where I began my career. The Transit officer was injured during a fierce exchange of gun fire and homemade hand grenades. I never imagined that urban cops would have to confront terrorists hurling IEDs on the streets of America. I have never seen the kind of paralysis that shuttered the city of Boston including shutting down the entire transit system. A 19 year old kid held one million people hostage for nearly 24 hours. Thankfully, he was taken into custody alive. Hopefully, an interrogation might lead to an explanation for the carnage he and his brother unleashed on Boston. The city will move forward, and kind gestures will go a long way toward the healing process."
Various agencies - from the Red Cross to the Wounded Warrior Project are helping the victims and families. The display at the Boston Bruins game was exceptional, proud and fantastic.
http://youtu.be/ZzMsagY7oRs
Just two days after Boston - April 17, 2013 - an explosion in West Texas leveled a fertilizer plant, killing 15 people and seriously injuring over 160. West a town of a few thousand close-knit people, is north of Waco. We stayed in Waco on our last RV trip on our way from the NALI conference in Memphis TN to the TALI conference in Dallas. We did not see West, but the surrounding area was nice. Prior to the explosion, a fire erupted at the plant and volunteer firefighters responded, and many were caught in the explosion. The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI) has started a fundraiser for the people of West, and many TALI members have responded to help the community with public safety and avoiding the scams that follow disasters. If you are interested in helping, please contact our agency or the TALI offices (www.TALI.org).
On May 02, 2013 our profession lost a friend, as did our agency. Susan Carlson was a fellow CLI in Chicago. This photo is from June 18, 2009 - The Nashville Five - when Rod Baker, Dean, Bill Elliott, Susan, and Mark Murnan learned they had all passed the rigorous CLI examination process. The week before her death, Susan had called 911 and was found by responsing emergency medical services to be unresponsive. She was hospitalized in an induced coma. Our friends at NALI have started a memorial fund for The Innocence Project, her passion. If you are interested, feel free to contact our office or the NALI offices (www.NALI.com).
This is really sad and upsetting. Dean met Susan as part of the Nashville Five CLIs. She became an immediate friend and we enjoyed our conversations and emails of the wisdom she shared. We both extend our thoughts and prayers to her family and friends, and our NALI colleagues. She will be missed and a special place awaits her. "NALI mourns the passing of longtime member and friend Susan Carlson, CLI earlier today. Susan was a devoted member of this association and a credit to our profession. Always eager to share and assist others, she had a wonderful spirit about her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time of great loss. She will be missed by all who knew and cherished her presence in our lives.
This photo was taken in Nashville in 2009 at one of the proudest professional moments of Susan's career ... receiving her Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) designation. This group, known as "The Nashville Five", will always have this special memory and bond of receiving this professional designation together. A Life Well Lived....."
Terry Cox, CLI (National Director - National Association of Legal Investigators)
NEWS YOU CAN USE: -- Mandatory Licensing Fails in Colorado -- AFI-LLC Presence in Wyoming -- Colorado Considers Compensation for Wrongful Conviction - continued -- AFI-LLC to benefit PPIAC with Death Investigation seminar -- Association News -- NCISS Alert - SSN Death Index -- Credit Reports and Employment Backgrounds - Not in Colorado -- Arizona Lab and DUIs -- US Supreme Rules on Blood Draws by Law Enforcement for DUIs -- Defense Blamed for Wrongful Conviction -- Amanda Knox interviewed by 20/20
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.
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Bits and Pieces from AFI-LLC
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CHANGE FROM VOLUNTARY TO MANDATORY PI LICENSING IN COLORADO FAILS
This year bill SB 13-259 was introduced for mandatory licensing and amended to mandatory registration equivalent to licensing. On May 03, 2013 this bill was killed in the last House committee. One yes vote - just before the committee - changed her mind during committee. In part, they wanted to give the voluntary program time to see if costs will come down; which requires more becoming licensed, like we continue to be, at the higher cost.
The perpetual opponents were losing ground and changed from not supporting mandatory regulation to supporting it - only after being exposed as past supporters of similar legislation. They then successfully whined about being forced into a mandatory program. Say that again ... they first proposed it several failed times in a dozen years, opposed it in recent years, and then claimed to support it ONLY if not forced into it.
Thanks to all, in Colorado and nationally, that labored with their personal presence and letters of support. There will be another day to elevate the professionalism and consumer protection in Colorado.
Our agency remains licensed in Colorado - www.ColoradoLicensedPrivateInvestigators.comAFI-LLC PRESENCE IN WYOMING
We have relationships with investigators throughout Wyoming (WY), from the capital city of Cheyenne to every major city - including with coroner offices. In fact, we annually assist with the continuing education of the state elected coroners and deputy coroners. In addition to our full legal investigative services throughout Wyoming, we also accept expert cases, including court appointed. Be sure and contact our office to learn how we can help you. http://www.deathcasereview.com/wy-wyoming.html COLORADO - WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS - CONTINUED Last month we asked - how much does Colorado owe people imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit? We reported that 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 and state - 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 and this bill continues to make it through the legislature, which ends the current session May 9th. The bill passed the House on a 60-2 vote Tuesday and is now in the Senate. Continued at http://www.coloradoan.com/viewart/20130409/NEWS11/304090022/Compensation-for-the-wrongly-convicted-passes-Colorado-House
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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
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AFI-LLC LICENSED AND INSURED IN COLORADO
There is a licensing program in Colorado - it is voluntary. We are both charter licensed private investigators in Colorado, effective July 1st 2012. Although we have every reason to believe being licensed does not change any faith our clients and colleagues have in us and our services, being licensed is as important to us as it is to you.
With Colorado's licensing program being voluntary, why did we choose to be licensed?
-- To demonstrate that we are vetted by the Colorado Department of Regulatory agencies (4,000 hours of experience is verified and all must pass a fingerprint CBI record check)
-- Eases the burden of qualification for attorneys, colleagues and other clients
-- For consumer protection (being licensed in another state offers no consumer protection in Colorado, but was necessary to PIs for records access and credibility before this program)
-- For continued access to records and databases (exceptions are increasingly more common to be given to those licensed within the states they do business)
-- To be on an equal plane as our licensed investigator colleagues
-- For the recognition and distinction that licensing providesBASIC DEATH INVESTIGATION FOR INVESTIGATORS
Our agency will be conducting a basic death investigation and injury causation seminar to benefit the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC). This is scheduled for August 09, 2013 in Greenwood Village, CO. Contact our agency or PPIAC (www.PPIAC.org) for details. You may also email VP of Training, Tan Smyth, at training@ppiac.org for registration and details. Space is limited - it is not too early to register.
BEERS WITH OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
Dean's book at www.BeersWithOurFoundingFathers.com is now 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 and is now pending release in paperback and Kindle. 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
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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.
-- PCI Training Seminar
The PPIAC and Convercent, Inc are offering a fantastic opportunity for PCI Training. Professional Certified Investigator is an internationally accredited standard in security investigations. ASIS normally charges $995 for this training, in addition to the cost of taking the test. The training offered on May 24-25 is available for $200 ($180, if you are a PPIAC member). Email Tan Smyth for details and to reserve your spot - training@ppiac.org.
-- Death Investigation Seminar
Our agency will be giving a death investigation and injury causation seminar to benefit PPIAC. This will be August 9th and is open to all investigators. Contact our agency or PPIAC (training@ppiac.org) for details and registration.
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. The annual conference for NALI will be in New Orleans June 13-15. Visit the conference website at http://www.nali.com/annual-conference-neworleans.php for details.
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org)
The annual board meeting and Hit the Hill was held April 15-17. Many appointments with Congressional members were disrupted by the tragic events in Boston. Dean was able to visit with members or their aids for all of the Colorado delegation in Congress. Issues discussed were those that would have both positive and negative impacts on our profession.
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. The Summer issue will have a pull-out directory of all NCISS members.
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)
The WAD meeting was held in England with the 100th anniversary celebration of the Association of British Investigators (ABI). Details of this conference will be in WAD's official journal - Beyond Global.
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 available 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 6th-8th. Dean will be a keynote speaker, immediately 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
NCISS Legislative Alert: Senate Bill Threatens Social Security Death Master List Access
This alert concerns the use and restrictions of access to social security numbers and the Social Security Death Master Index. Private Investigators use these resources in civil, criminal and probate matters - from assisting with confirming death to finding witnesses, as well as detecting and preventing identity theft and positively identifying witnesses and subjects. Presently NCISS is watching this activity and bill, and will keep our members and profession advised of any progress and concerns.
Continued at http://www.deathcasereview.com/3/post/2013/04/nciss-legislative-alert-senate-bill-threatens-ss-death-master-list-access.html Give Me a Little Credit (Eugene F. Ferraro, CPP, CFE, PCI, SPHR) Last month, Colorado joined eight other states-California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Vermont and Washington-in restricting the use of credit history information for employment purposes. Effective July 1, 2013, Section 8-2-126 of the Colorado Revised Statutes will prohibit an employer's use of consumer credit information for employment purposes unless the credit information is substantially related to the individual's future or current job. The information prohibited under the statute includes any written, oral or other communication that relates to a consumer's creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity or credit history. In case you are wondering, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act defines consumer as any two legged creature capable of fogging a mirror. The new prohibition encompasses credit scores, but does not limit the use of name, address, Social Security Number or date of birth beyond the existing limitations set forth in the FCRA. Sounds good, right? Consumer protection, privacy, you name it; it's in there ... to be continued in the NCISS eReport for May/June. Arizona Lab Issues Result in DUI Challenges Hundreds of drunken-driving cases from the past four years could be called into question if a legal effort challenging the accuracy of the Scottsdale Police Department's blood-testing equipment is successful. Continued at: http://www.forensicmag.com/news/arizona-duis-question-over-lab-methods US Supreme Court - No DUI blood draws without warrant or consent On April 19, 2013 the US Supreme Court held that police cannot take your blood without consent or a warrant in a routine DUI case. Read about the opinion and the importance to your Fourth Amendment Constitutional Rights. Continued at: http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/in-missouri-v-mcneely-the-us-supreme-cou-67452 Judge Blames Defense for Not Presenting Evidence, Frees Convicted Man... In a bit of news not often seen in wrongful convictions... http://www.forensicmag.com/news/judge-blames-defense-not-presenting-evidence-frees-convicted-man Forensic Photography Tips Photography in all investigations is important - documentation is one of the reasons...
http://www.forensicmag.com/tip/use-photography-create-accurate-record Amanda Knox - Diane Sawyer interview on 20/20 Diane Sawyer interviewed for 20/20 - her guilty verdict, acquittal on appeal and now a decision to retry her in Italy. "Amanda Knox: In Her Own Words; Life in Italian Prison; Freedom" http://abc.go.com/watch/2020/SH559026/VDKA0_m2c4ghjf/2020-0430-amanda-knox-in-her-own-words?cid=abccomsearch_results 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...
| AFI-LLC specializes in legal investigations and expert consultations of death or serious bodily injury and injury causation in civil, criminal and probate matters for professional investigators, attorneys, insurance companies and families. We also provide complete legal investigative services, as well as individual locates, backgrounds and assets & liabilities records checks and backgrounds.
Please visit us at www.facebook.com/4N6Associates and on Twitter @4N6Associates.
We also have a blog of articles and news at www.MedicolegalPI.com.
Dean is on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/forensicinvestigators
Karen is on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/pub/karen-beers/36/a8/807
Don't forget to share our newsletters and if your receiving this from a friend, subscribe directly! < here >
www.4N6Associates.com - Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation.
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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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 | | Flat Fee Equivocal Death Analysis |
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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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