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),
October is an exciting month for us! October 1st - we celebrated 26 years of providing investigative services! I n 1987, Dean formed 'Pro-Serve, Service and Process & Skip Tracing'. This would later become 'Investigative Services of Colorado'. In 2002 'Forensic Investigators of Colorado' with investigative services in Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation. In 2010, offering primarily national expert consultations and investigative services, the agency would become 'Associates in Forensic Investigations'. In 1996 Karen joined the agency. In 2003, Karen graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor in Social Work degree, adding to the benefits we provide clients. Also this month, October 15th, we celebrate our 22nd anniversary together and 14th being married. We met by chance when we were visiting mutual friends. We are proud parents of Jeberly and Winter, and have three grandchildren - Jacee, and identical twin grandsons Gage and Cash.   We also want to extend our thanks and appreciation to all who reached out during the floods of multiple cities and counties in northern Colorado - along the front range, stretching from the Wyoming state line to metro Denver, and east to the statelines with Nebraska and Kansas. The monetary damages are greater than Katrina; however, the loss of life was one of the lowest for a natural disaster of its size. Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones, even one life is tragic for family and friends.
We were in Indiana when this happened. Our youngest daughter had to evacuate from eastern Loveland to our oldest daughter's, nearby. Thankfully all were safe. Our old neighborhood had some flooding and voluntary evacuations. Dean's mom and stepdad did evacuate and were able to return and found very minimal damage - mostly cleanup. Within a couple days the Red Cross, neighbors, churches and even victims from the nearby fires of last year were bringing life back to normal for so many. Truly very appreciated. Please consider donating to your local organizations and Red Cross. The donation you make today might help a family member or friend tomorrow.
Here is a video of the flooded areas around Larimer county (our old neighborhood is about 2m 30s into the video) - http://www.coloradoan.com/videonetwork/2670951716001?odyssey=mod|tvideo2|article
NEWS YOU CAN USE: -- Hair Analysis in Forensic Toxicology -- Updated Mobile PI Tips and Tricks have been posted!
-- The Question of Suicide: Equivocal Death Investigations -- Suspicious Deaths - 'Accidental Suicide' is a cover-up
-- WAD Governor of Americas and Ambassadors -- The Most Common Questions asked about Expert Witness Testimony -- Financial Incentive for False Results in DUI Lab Tests -- 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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UPDATED TIPS FROM OUR TRAVELS FOR THE MOBILE PI
We have found a few more tools and resources for you:
-- Portable handheld scanner
-- Wi-Fi extender
-- Portable backup battery recharger
-- Computer battery backup - more than one use
What other books and gadgets do we recommend?
WAD Governor of Americas and Ambassadors
AFI-LLC is proud to announce that Dean has been re-appointed as Governor of the Americas for the World Association of Detectives. The Americas includes North, Central and South America. The ambassadors in these areas have also been re-appointed: Thomas Shamshak (US East), Michael Julian (US West), Remi Kalacyan (Canada), Brett Mikkelson (Central America), Fernando Fernandez (Puerto Rico / Carribean) and Gabriel Famá (South America).
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
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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's consultation website is at www.AutopsyReview.net.
We are proud of our working relationship with Dr. Cina, since 2002.
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Agency News and Updates
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The Question of Suicide: Equivocal Death Investigations by Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI and Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI
Published by PI Now
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. This leaves the possibility of closure for the families impossible, particularly if foul play is suspected, or even an accident. The wrong determination can also result in benefits, such as life insurance or workers' compensation, underpaid - or worse, denied.
First, what is 'Equivocal'? Equivocal is unanswered, or lingering questions.
Second, what is the difference between 'Analysis' and 'Investigation'? In an analysis the official investigation is reviewed to determine if proper protocols were followed. In an investigation, the official records, reports and photographs are used in conjunction with a new investigation of the physical and circumstantial evidence.
This two-part article is available in full from our friends at PI Now at http://www.pinow.com/articles/1707/the-question-of-suicide-equivocal-death-investigations
AFI-LLC has provided several articles to professional magazines and newsletters. If you are interested in other articles from our archives, or new articles specific for your journal, please contact our agency.DEAN SPEAKING AT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF INVESTIGATION & SECURITY SERVICESDean 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
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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.
General elections of open board positions will be held at the annual general business meeting on November 7th. If you are a PPIAC member and have a nomination, including yourself, please contact the nomination committee via the association website.
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. 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
Hair Analysis in Forensic Toxicology Our contract toxicology lab can test hair for drugs, and our associated forensic toxicologist can assist with proper testing, protocols and interpretations. From Forensic Magazine Forensic testing for drugs of abuse in hair has become a useful diagnostic tool in determining recent past drug use as well as examining long-term drug history through segmental analysis (i.e. identification and quantification of drugs along the length of the hair shaft from scalp hair). The usefulness and the importance of hair analysis depends on the ability to identify and quantify drugs and metabolites in hair that arise from ingestion but not from passive exposure or exogenous application of drugs. Continued at http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/09/hair-analysis-forensic-toxicology Financial Incentive for False Results in DUI Lab Tests
(also from 'Forensic Magazine' - free by mail or online)
A recent analysis published in the Criminal Justice Ethics academic journal suggests when technicians perform forensic analysis of blood and other evidence for cases such as drunk driving, the results can be influenced by built-in financial incentives to produce a conviction. Syracuse Univ. Prof. Roger Koppl joined Meghan Sacks from Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. argue that even if false conviction rates are very low, a 3 percent error rate could put 33,000 innocent individuals behind bars every year. Continued at http://www.forensicmag.com/news/2013/09/financial-incentive-false-results-dui-lab-tests Suspicious Deaths - 'Accidental Suicide' is a cover-up The "Justice for Jake & Ella" effort also seeks to convince lawmakers in Columbus to enact legislation that would make autopsies mandatory in suspicious death cases. The family has hired multiple forensic pathologists and experts - homicide; finally an autopsy was done - Accidental Suicide. Now the case has been assigned to a different prosecutor's office and they have hired a forensic pathologist. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/article/limberios-shooting-saga/4630706 There is no such official manner of death as 'Accidental Suicide' - it is either Accident or Suicide, or in some cases - Homicide. This case was hampered by persons at the incident and further exacerbated by no autopsy. We do not have any facts in this case, but have recently consulted on a drug overdose case in which those at the incident inhibited the official investigation. We disagreed with the official ruling of a natural death (the forensic pathologist was not given any of the drug use and overdose data, and the drugs had metabolized) and recommended re-opening the case and reclassifying the death as 'Accident'. We love what we do because our goal is to provide answers to the families and assist them with speaking for their deceased loved one.
The Most Famous Unsolved Crimes in History Some of the biggest unsolved crimes of all time at http://www.forensicsciencedegree.org/famous-unsolved-crimes/ The Most Common Questions asked about Expert Witness Testimony Being expert consultants, this article from Forensic Magazine is something we thought worth sharing. http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/08/most-common-questions-asked-about-expert-witness-testimony
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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UPDATE - A Noble and Generous Profession
Last month we highlighted that 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.
Shortly after releasing the September newsletter, Colorado was hit by severe flooding of several rivers. These floods not only destroyed homes and property - they also disrupted the lives of families and many businesses, including private investigators. The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators has led the way with offers of assistance, and many other state associations soon followed. Please feel free to contact our agency if you have any questions about how you can help. All through September we have donated 100% of our book sales to flood relief efforts. We will do the same in October for those reading this newsletter. Just let us know when you make a purchase - we will set aside the FULL RETAIL value of the books for a donation (we cannot include Dean's book from CRC Press, as we have no control over sales or proceeds).
Contact our agency for details and we thank you very much for all of your help and generosity!
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.
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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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Download our Agency Information and Case Request Packetclick here
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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:
 | | Find us and 'Like' us! |
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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