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 hope everyone had a fantastic time celebrating the 237th birthday of our Country - our Independence Day. Let us remember not only why we celebrate this day, but why we can.
As we celebrate the 237th birthday of our Country, let's look at what it took for our Founding Fathers to accomplish what was a first - and very personally deadly - event in all of the history of the world, and what it has taken to preserve
their genius ...
Here are some of the key documents leading up to and preserving our freedoms: Magna Carta (England - June 15th 1215), Mayflower Compact (Plymouth Colony - November 11th 1620), Patrick Henry - (Virginia Convention - March 23rd 1775), Thomas Paine - Common Sense (1775), Declaration of Independence (July 4th 1776), Articles of Confederation (1779), Federalist Papers (1787-1788) [338 pages], Anti-Federalist Papers (1787-1788) [264 pages], Constitution of the United States (1787), Bill of Rights (1789).
http://www.beerswithourfoundingfathers.com/founding-documents.html
We were the first colonies in the world to declare freedom, give birth to a new country, and begin the call for freedom throughout the world. We remain the only country in the world with the sacred birth rights - freedoms - not granted by any person or government, but simply by our birth. Happy birthday USA!
The Mysterious Death of Phoenix Police Sgt. Sean Drenth
Several months ago, our agency was contacted by Phoenix colleage and fellow Certified Legal Investigator (CLI), Jon Colvin, to consult on this death.
Sgt. Drenth was on duty when he was found dead in an empty lot, a single gunshot wound under his chin. After investigation by the Phoenix Police Department, including reconstruction by a former Phoenix Police ballistics expert, the death of Sean Drenth was ruled a suicide - even with very conflicting information.
The family appealed the decision and ultimately retained legal representation. Over several months the appeals were denied, the original medical examiner left and the new medical examiner would not reconsider the case; and no one was willing to meet the family and hear their concerns and evidence.
This case was investigated and reported extensively by the skeptical local media. In the months following several newspaper stories, the medical examiner's office continued to refuse further review and the case was submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI concurred with the ruling of suicide, based only on a psychological profile.
Finally, in June, the matter was presented by the widow's attorney before the Phoenix Retirement Program, which held off hearing the appeal for nine months. He had 20 minutes to present the best evidence. Jackie Temple, the city's interim Retirement Program administrator, said the report was persuasive to members of the board. "They presented pretty strong evidence as to why they saw that it could not be suicide,". The decision by the board was unanimous, with one abstaining vote. Here is the recent story, http://azc.cc/A1kis
His death remains closed, as suicide, by the Phoenix Police Department. This death is a homicide.
AFI-LLC is proud to have been part of this important investigation for the family - to the living we owe respect, to the dead we owe the truth. We feel this standard has been met. Our agency played a small role, and we recognize the primary investigator, family attorney, and other forensic experts that provided a team effort to reach this outcome for the family. A special thanks to the attorney and primary investigator - Joel Robbins and Jon Colvin, CLI.
For details of this case and chronology, please visit
http://www.deathcasereview.com/sample-cases.html
The Mysterious Death of Sgt. Sean Drenth - Updated
Suspicious Death - Independent Investigation (Expert Consultation) - Updated 06/10/2013
NEWS YOU CAN USE: -- George Zimmerman - How the Media Misrepresents Testimony -- Death Investigation and Injury Causation training in Colorado -- WAD Conference, NCISS Conference, and MAPI Conference -- Other association news -- Agency blog and a new book from Rory McMahon, CLI -- In the News -- AND 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.
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Bits and Pieces from AFI-LLC
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GEORGE ZIMMERMAN - HOW THE MEDIA MISREPORTS TESTIMONY
We make it a practice to not comment on active high profile cases, whether under investigation or the trial being broadcast. The George Zimmerman fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin is wrapping up the prosecution case in chief. During expert testimony, which interests us, several things were heard that later were misrepresented, sensationalized or misunderstood by the media - and therefore, viewers. In the world of the 'CSI jury', this only exacerbates the problem of unbiased justice. So, here are three key observations and corrections from the media reporting. DNA Analysis 1. The DNA analyst testified that Zimmerman's DNA was not under Martin's fingernails. This is a 'smoking gun' and shows there was not contact by Martin of Zimmerman. 2. Then there is the testimony that the grip Zimmerman's handgun didn't have Martin's DNA and he was therefore not close or in contact with the gun. One expert testified about the muzzle imprint from discharge on Martin's hoodie and corresponding defects in his shirt.
Wrong. This isn't 'CSI' (dumbest series of shows on the planet). It means that Martin didn't grab an exposed area of Zimmerman in such a manner that would cause DNA (hair, skin, etc.) to be caught under his fingernails (i.e. scratching vs. a closed fist). It also means It means that, while Zimmerman had complete control of his handgun, that if Martin did attempt to grab the handgun, it was not by the grip. The slide and frame were not swabbed for DNA - an error.
There is not always going to be trace evidence. Per Locard's theory, there has to be a reason for the evidence transfer - such as contact to or by exposed areas for DNA. Dean wrote the DNA collection protocol for weapons while at the medical examiner's office, and we are glad to share that protocol.
Wound Path / Trajectory
3. Then there is the testimony that the wound path was not directly front to back. The trajectory was from left to right and front to back, across and through the heart and lungs. Therefore perhaps Martin was running from Zimmerman.
All this means is that Martin was not directly facing Zimmerman at the moment of being shot. It is plausible that the wound path and trajectory are consistent with Zimmerman drawing his gun and firing from close range while Martin was aggressively throwing punches - with his upper body / torso turned so that his left side was exposed to Zimmerman. An assault is a dynamic event and these movements must be considered. Things are not as we would 'expect' them, especially from TV.
Medical Examiner In testimony a few days later, the forensic pathologist that performed the autopsy provided testimony that better explained gunshot wounds and trajectory. His testimony also provided that Martin's clothing was not in contact with his body, and that the gunshot wound contact of skin was inhibited by the clothing.
It is important for 'CSI' type fans to realize that the reality of life is much different than the fiction of television.
Talking heads are not expert in pattern injury analysis or injury causation. Be careful of what you hear them say, infer and conclude from just testimony and not the benefit of the records, reports and photographs. We would love to see these for a complete analysis. |
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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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Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators, Third Edition
Rory McMahon, CLI, CFE
Rory is a good friend and was one of Dean's CLI proctors. Rory was gracious enough to ask for a contributing chapter for his book revision. We are pleased to announce the book is now available.
An increase in fraud cases has escalated government accountability and corporate oversight, and media attention on cases ranging from missing persons to white-collar crime has increased the visibility of professional investigators. This has resulted in a great source of increased work for the profession. The third edition of Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators continues to supply an up-to-date, nuts-and-bolts learning tool for students and an everyday reference for investigative professionals at all levels.
More relevant than ever, this edition adds two new chapters on death and terrorism investigations and several new sections.
NEW Chapter - Death Investigation
Authored by Dean A. Beers, CLI
- An Overview of Death Investigation What Is Death?
- Medicolegal Death Investigations in Criminal Cases The Investigative Protocol
- What Is Death Investigation?
- Are All Deaths Autopsied, or What Determines an Autopsy? Key Concepts to Review and Analyze
- History of Decedent Forensic Autopsy
- Determine the Cause and Manner of Death
- In Conclusion
http://astore.amazon.com/assoinforeinv-20/detail/1439887225
AFI-LLC BLOG
We have added a new post to our agency blog:
Fort Collins has experienced another tragic death of a young person. All deaths are tragic, especially to family and friends. When they are young and unusual circumstances, this is more so. The primary responsibility of the death investigator is to respect the family and find the truth for the decedent. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this young man. On June 18, 2013 an unidentified teenage male was found in a retention pond, with fishing gear and an overturned chair nearby. Foul play was not immediately suspected, but should always be a consideration until ruled out. This young man's death has been ruled an Accident due to asphyxia by drowning, probable seizure. Had this young man died of a seizure and then fallen into the pond, this would be discernible through the autopsy protocol and his death would be Natural due to seizure. Similarly, had there been an altercation or other event causing injury and resulting in death, appropriate investigation and autopsy would answer that. The death of a loved one - family or friend - is traumatic. A proper death investigation protocol, which may include a forensic autopsy or review of the official investigation and findings, is imperative to bringing closure and respect to the family, and truth to the decedent. Equivocal death and injury causation concerns most often begin with the concerns arising from the lack of an official investigation, or an incomplete investigation.
Proper Death Investigation Protocols Vital to Families is continued at
http://www.deathcasereview.com/1/post/2013/06/proper-death-investigation-protocols-vital-to-families.html Look for future tips - and be sure to share your own with us - Associates@DeathCaseReview.com. If we publish your tip, it will be to your credit and with your contact information. DEAN AT CALI (CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF LICENSED INVESTIGATORS) Dean is a member of CALI and recently attended the CALI conference in San Jose, where he spoke on the use of technology to 'Find the Facts' and also be more efficient.
IMPORTANT UPDATE - BASIC DEATH INVESTIGATION FOR INVESTIGATORS
Please note important date and location changes!
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 location is hosted by the Colorado Public Defenders Office in Centennial.
The event is re-scheduled for August 23, 2013 at 12350 E. Arapahoe Road, St. A, Centennial, CO 80112. The use of this location will be excellent for all attendees and is much appreciated. Our thanks to CPD Investigator Pamela Sharp for making these arrangements.
Class size is limited and expected to fill early. Contact our agency or VP of Training, Tan Smyth, at training@ppiac.org for registration and details.
Please do NOT contact the public defenders office for details. Updates will be posted at www.PPIAC.org soon.
BEERS WITH OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
Dean's book at www.BeersWithOurFoundingFathers.com is now available in paperback and Kindle at Amazon. Details at http://www.beerswithourfoundingfathers.com/order.html
LETTERS FROM YESTERYEAR
Karen's book is now available in paperback and Kindle at Amazon. 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, a book 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.
Death Investigation Seminar in Colorado - open to all investigators
Our agency will be giving a death investigation and injury causation seminar to benefit PPIAC. Our agency is volunteering our time and materials, PPIAC is hosting the event and costs, and the Colorado Public Defenders office is providing the venue, reducing the cost per attendee! We appreciate the sponsorship of PPIAC and host CPD to bring this low cost training. This will be August 23rd and is open to all investigators. This may be the only time we provide this along the front range of Colorado. Contact our agency or PPIAC (training@ppiac.org) for details and registration (please do not contact the CPD to register - they are not taking registrations).
Seminar payments via PayPal are at http://ppiac.org/ai1ec_event/death-investigations?instance_id=49
The PPIAC annual conference will be September 13-14 in Golden, Colorado. Golden is a beautiful city nestled in the foothills west of Denver, and home to Coors! Watch the PPIAC website (www.PPIAC.org) or email training@ppiac.org for details and registration. Confirmed speakers include Saviano, John Lajoie CLI (MA), Kelly Riddle TCI (TX) with more speakers being confirmed and great topics!
National Association of Legal Investigators (www.NALI.com)
NALI is the premier association for legal investigators - civil plaintiff and criminal defense, and has overseen the prestigious Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) program. Experience is required to join and all members are subject to a background check.
The newest issue of NALI's official journal - The Legal Investigator - is now available online at http://www.bluetoad.com/publication?i=159376
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org)
The NCISS annual conference will be held in Charleston, SC with special co-hosts the South Carolina Association of Licensed Investigators (www.scalinv.com). AFI-LLC will be giving a presentation, entitled 'Living with Death'. Visit the NCISS website, or contact the NCISS office for details and registration.
NCISS is the voice of investigators and security personnel at the federal level. The primary mission of NCISS is to watch federal legislation and work with members to take appropriate action to support beneficial, or oppose harmful, legislation in the course of performing their professional services. 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.
The House has introduced another privacy security bill to uniformly address how social security numbers are collected, disseminated and truncated. This bill also provides that it will supersede all state laws. Continued at
World Association of Detectives (www.WAD.net)
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. WAD Rome 88th Annual Conference Details The WAD 88th Annual Conference will be held at the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri Hotel, high on the hillside overlooking the beautiful city of Rome. The hotel is a short walk from Vatican City, and you will love the homes and shops of the surrounding neighborhoods. Many members will arrive on August 26th and take advantage of a free day for touring on their own. Registration will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 31st and the Gala Banquet will take place Saturday evening, August 31st. https://www.wad.net/page/calendar.aspx - click on WAD 88th Annual Conference - Rome, Italy Other Association News
The Minnesota Association of Private Investigators (www.MAPI.org) is having their annual conference November 7th-8th. Dean will be a keynote speaker with an extended block for Death Investigation and Injury Causation. Contact MAPI for details and registration, we look forward to seeing you there.
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
The Scene Will Dictate What You Need From the Suspect In civil and criminal litigation, the legal investigator is a fact finder, the truth is determined by the trier of fact - judge or jury. Legal investigators find the nexus of subject to scene, scene to parties (i.e. victims) and parties to subjects through evidence. Any break in the nexus circle may collapse the case. This article from Forensic Magazine, intended for law enforcement, is good for all investigators. http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/06/scene-will-dictate-what-you-need-suspect
Background Checks by Employers The use of background checks by employers protects employers, employees and consumers - from your children at schools and daycares, to your parents at elder care facilities and hospitals. You are protected at your place of work and those you frequent. Racism is not a byproduct of investigations. The actions of the EEOC endanger employers, employees and consumers. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/arrest_conviction.cfm HIPAA: A Twist on a New Problem The leaders of fire, EMS and police departments have been struggling with the challenge of emergency personnel taking emergency scene photos and videos and sharing them through social media. Continued at http://www.patc.com/weeklyarticles/print/2013_hipaa_varone.pdf Defense Lawyers Want Independent Probe of Colorado Toxicology Lab Colorado defense lawyers on Monday called for an independent investigation of the state toxicology lab, saying thousands of criminal cases could be affected by a report that suggests biased lab results. Continued at http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_23429158 (NOTE - this lab has ceased testing until the investigation is complete) Police, DNA and Collection From 'Forensic Magazine': Supreme Court Says Police Can Take DNA from Those Arrested A sharply divided Supreme Court has cleared the way for police to take a DNA swab from anyone they arrest for a serious crime, endorsing a practice now followed by more than half the states as well as the federal government. The justices differed strikingly on how big a step that was. Continued at www.forensicmag.com/news/2013/06/supreme-court-says-police-can-take-dna-those-arrested Supreme Court on Fifth Amendment (Miranda) Changes Everything In short, the simple utterance of refusing to speak or wishing to remain silent is insufficient to protect your right to remain silent. It must be clearly articulated by the arrestee. Of course the most basic and obvious lesson of Salinas is that a potential law enforcement target should never speak to an investigator without counsel. The less than intuitive rule announced in Salinas provides yet another argument for the wisdom of this oft repeated but not invariably followed advice.
Continued at 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...
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2013 Inaugural PPIAC Awards Banquet a Huge Success!
Award Winners:
Specialty Investigator Award: Dick Lewis (Forensic Document Examiner)
Law Firm Award: Berg Hill Greenleaf & Ruscitti, LLC
Law Enforcement Award: Detective Sue Wynn, Aurora PD
Public Official Award: Senator Linda Newell
Private Investigator of the Year: William Robert Wall
Lifetime Achievement Award: Gene Ferraro
Our agency would like to extend our congratulations to each of these friends and professionals!
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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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