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

Dear (Contact First Name),

We hope everyone has enjoyed the summer and Labor Day weekend.  A couple updates from last month.

First up: Death Investigations, was presented by Dean for investigators and attorneys.
This all-day seminar was standing room only at the Colorado Public Defenders office in Arapahoe County.  Investigators and attorneys from several public defender offices attended, as well as private investigators.  Dean filled the fast-paced day with a fascinating look at the many types of death investigations and case scenarios, from the investigative process to death scene evidence, and child injuries and deaths to motor vehicle related injuries and deaths.  These covered how civil, criminal and probate litigation are uniquely impacted by injuries and death.

If your association or group is interested in a customized death and injury causation seminar, for your meeting, conference or training event, contact our agency for details (including fundraising).

For a consultation information packet and CVs, visit:

Second:  For those interested in the expert consultation and Dean's testimony in Grand Junction last month, the verdict came in after more than 30 hours of deliberation.

 

Guilty on multiple charges and not guilty on the two most serious charges in the case: Attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

 

http://www.gjsentinel.com/special_sections/articles/jury-finds-8232man-guilty-8232of-murder8232-burnin

 

From the lead counsel, "I can't tell you how much your assistance and Karen's assistance meant to us on this case. You helped us have a much better understanding of what we were working with and how to present it to the jury."

 

 

NEWS YOU CAN USE: 

-- False Confessions and Wrongful Convictions 

-- New commentary - The Fear of Getting in Trouble

-- Conferences and speaking engagements - NCISS and MAPI  

-- News you can use 

-- 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. 
Bits and Pieces from AFI-LLC

False Confessions, Wrongful Convictions

While consulting in Phoenix, Dean stopped to visit fellow CLI Jon Colvin, he told Dean about this case ...

Arizona woman on death row for 1989 murder of 4-year-old son has conviction thrown out; court cites problems with prosecution witness

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/arizona-woman-jailed-1989-killing-4-year-old-son-conviction-thrown-article-1.1289532#ixzz2bOXsY0LY

   

Speaking of false confessions, from Forensic Magazine ...

The Confessions of Innocent Men
Why would two suspects caught up in a grisly murder investigation admit to a killing they didn't commit?

Continued at http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/08/confessions-of-innocent-men/278363/

 

And, if you are really interested in false confessions and the impact ego can have on the innocent ...

In the 'Company of Giants' is a must read book. This is an excellent book from friend and colleague Paul Ciolino. This book details the case histories of notable false confessions - and wrongful death penalty convictions - in Illinois.     
http://astore.amazon.com/assoinforeinv-20/detail/0595348130
  

TIPS FROM OUR TRAVELS FOR THE MOBILE PI  

Power Charger

We just found this cool gadget - much better and cheaper than found in stores. It is half the price and holds at least twice the charge (most are about $75 and 5000 mAh) - this is $40 and 12000 mAh. It will recharge two cell phones or one tablet on average. And, unlike those in stores - you can charge more than one device, and it has ports specifically required to charge Apple products.

This is a MUST have if you do surveillance, travel or find yourself unable to charge your devices.  


What other books and gadgets do we recommend?

 

 

BOOKS FOR INVESTIGATORS

AFI-LLC has put together some of the best fiction and non-fiction books available from Amazon. These range from studying for certifications to best practices, and investigative fiction and non-fiction. Most of these are written by our friends and colleagues, including fellow CLIs and CCDIs.  See the complete list of books at


Our Expert Forensic Affiliations
Autopsy Review 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 of our working relationship with Dr. Cina, since 2002.

Agency News and Updates 

THE FEAR OF GETTING IN TROUBLE

New commentary by Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI

As children, most of us can relate to that fear when we know we or one of our friends have done something that we could get in trouble for. We would usually end up either spilling our guts when confronted or lie until we were trapped in a corner and had to tell the truth or be in yet worse trouble.

That "trouble fear" can cause many emotions and thoughts rush through our bodies and minds. What to do what to do? As adults, we know what to do; we know the best way to face any fear is with the truth. We also know that when someone is physically hurt, or they are not quite acting what we might perceive as "normal" mentally, we call 911. We, as responsible adults know we must act, and we cannot let the "trouble fear" factor play any role in our decisions to help another human being.   

 

Continued at:  

 

DEAN WILL BE A GUEST ON 'LIVE WITH RICHARD AND BERTO'
We all remember where we were and what we were doing on 9/11.  Dean will discuss '9/11 ...Where were you then, where are we now?' as it relates to current events.

Join us on Wednesday, 9/11, at 10pm (Eastern - 9pm Central, 8pm Mountain, 7pm Pacific).  http://www.blogtalkradio.com or call in to (714) 583-6894

DEAN SPEAKING AT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF INVESTIGATION & SECURITY SERVICES
Dean is the current Secretary for NCISS and has been nominated for 3rd Vice President when elections are held at the annual conference.  Dean will also be giving a presentation on 'Living with Death' for investigative and security professionals.

Join us in historic Charleston, SC October 9th to 12th.  Details at http://www.nciss.org/news-and-events/the-full-event.php?eid=33
     
DEAN SPEAKING AT THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

Dean will be giving a fast-paced two-hour presentation on Death Investigation for PIs, as well as updates from the National Council of Investigation and Security Services and World Association of Detectives. 

 
Come join other Private Investigators and Protective Agents at our Annual Training Conference, (being held at the closest hotel and casino to the Twin Cities Metro. area), to network with other professionals in the industry and receive continuing education credits at the same time! There will also be food provided, time to socialize, visit with our Vendors, and several great door prizes will be given out during the conference.

Save the dates of November 7th & 8th and plan your trip to Minnesota.  Details at  www.MAPI.org 

 

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

 
Associations and News of Our Profession
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.  

 

National Association of Legal Investigators (www.NALI.com)

NALI is the premier association for legal investigators for civil plaintiff and criminal defense, and oversees 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_Fall_2013.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 your 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 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 elections were held at the 8th Annual Conference in Rome 

Christine Vinson has followed the footsteps of her father and grandfather to be the first third generation WAD President, and is the third female president.  Look for more election details next month.

   

Congratulations to WAD Investigator of the Year Keith Schafferius. Fernando Fernandez (Covert Intelligence and WAD Ambassador for Puerto Rico) was nominated.  The Norman J. Sloan Memorial Award was presented posthumously to Warren Mallard (Australia).

 

 

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.

In the News
Courtroom
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
 

   


 

Documenting a Vehicle Death Scene

Death involving motor vehicles - whether from an accident or found abandoned, have unique issues. This is an excellent article from Forensic Magazine...

 

http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/08/documenting-vehicle-death-scene

 

Cell Phone Services

T-Mobile - NO contracts and great service.  We have used T-Mobile for over 15 years.  Their coverage is great and their rates have always been good.  But, it was very aggravating to wait two years for a phone, pay higher fees to get a 'free' phone, and see new customers get better deals than long-term customers (like us).

T-Mobile has fixed that - NO contracts and a new phone when you want (0% 24-month financing).  Need a new phone and owe on your old one - no hassle, no pay offs.  Check it out at http://t-mobile.privateinvestigations.org 


From Forensic Magazine (FREE to your email or mail) ...

DNA Advances Help Police Unlock Assault Cases

 

Late on the night of March 5, 1988, a 10-year-old girl had fallen asleep on the couch of her Elkhart, Ind., home, where she had been watching television.

 

Last fall, prosecutors were notified that a match to the submitted samples had been found in the national FBI DNA database of felons called CODIS (for Combined DNA Index System).

 

Continued at http://www.forensicmag.com/news/2013/08/dna-advances-help-police-unlock-assault-cases  

 

 

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.

 

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.
In Closing...
A Noble and Generous Profession   

Professional Investigators are known for many things - from pro bono for the indigent and desperate, to community service events.  We are also known for helping each other in great times of need.

We would like to ask you to remember to consider a simple gift that can go a long way.

Next time you are at McDonald's, do me a favor and drop some change in the Ronald McDonald's House donation jar. You'll just toss the change in a jar at home. If you pay by credit card, reach for a dollar bill and drop it in. Their donations have dropped as credit card use has declined.

They provide cheap stays for parents of kids at nearby hospitals (mostly Childrems Hospitals). Having parents able to be at the hospital, without the added financial stress of a hotel room, helps everyone get and stay healthy.

Four years ago they did this for our grandsons' parents. The stays are cheap, and we donate every year, but for many even a little can break them. Your small donation makes a big difference.

Wendy's does the same for adoptions, and other businesses have similar programs. Make a choice and make a difference.
 


Don't forget to share our newsletters and if your receiving this from a friend, subscribe directly!   < subscribe here >

Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation.

Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
Dean and Karen Beers
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 ([email protected])
Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI ([email protected])

Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
Office:  (970) 480-7793 (Dean x1 and Karen x2) ~ Fax:  (970) 480-7794 

Newsletter and Press Release Archives from July 2010  

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In This Issue
Bits and Pieces
Our Affiliated Experts
Agency News and Updates
Associations and Our Profession News
In the News...
Qualities of a Professional Investigator
In Closing...
On Our website
Quick Links 

 

>> About AFI-LLC 

 

>> What is a CLI? 

 

>> What is a CCDI?  

 

>> Investigators Bios  

 

>> Forensic Pathology Consultants 

 


AFI-LLC Since 1987

Featured Articles

Dean and Karen have several articles published, some are available for reprint.

For details email:

[email protected]  

Find Us at:
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Dean is at:
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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) 

(Rocky Mountain Division)

Mensa USA
Tools for the

Litigation Attorney and Professional Investigator

(click images for details)

 

 

Death Investigation Course for PIs  

 

 

 Investigator Case Management System

Learn more - FREE eBook and sneak peek 

 

 Attorney Case File  

Attorney Trial Management System

Learn more - FREE eBook and sneak peek

  

Distance Learning for Investigators, Law Enforcement and Security Personnel

  

Online Introductory and Training Program for new and veteran PIs  



Books, Resources, Vanity Email and Subdomains for PIs  


WEBINARS and SEMINARS

 

Contact us if you would sponsor a webinar or seminar - no cost to you and earn free attendance:

Practical Methods for Legal Investigations Legal investigators are responsible for providing factual evidence - as the fact finders, they are the foundation for the attorneys they work with daily. The attorney is responsible for forming and implementing the legal strategy and presenting it to the judge or jury. The legal investigator provides checks and balances to ensure that no evidence is being forced upon a theory, and that no theory is being forced upon the evidence. Practical Methods for Legal Investigations: Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases presents legal investigators with a step-by-step process that reveals how to methodically find and report evidence in every aspect of the investigative process.

 CRC Press - 20% discount and free shipping