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 that all of our friends and colleagues, and your families, had an exceptional Christmas, New Years and whole season of holidays!

There is lots of exciting news going on at Associates in Forensic Investigations LLC...
-- PI Now will be publishing an article they requested we write for them (January);
-- We recently taped a radio show with our friend, Crime Time with Vito Colucci;
-- We are almost ready to release our book for families - survivors - of equivocal deaths of loved ones;
-- We will be contributing regularly to the new Global Investigators Media Group with fellow friends and PIs;
-- and much more - 2014 is going to be EXCITING!

 

Together We're Better - We Make the Difference!

 

FEATURES AND NEWS YOU CAN USE: 

-- Survivors' Guide to Understanding Death Investigations pending immediate release!

-- Podcasts for PIs - Global Investigators Media Group

-- News from AFI-LLC 

-- State and National Association news 

-- In the News - Cold Cases, Exonerations, Legislative Alerts, Online Court Records, etc.
-- Commentary - Balancing the Scales of Justice
--
AND MORE! 

Associates in Forensic Investigations LLC is owned by Colorado Licensed Private Investigators Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI.

We provide Expert Consultations and Legal Investigations of Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation. We are Subject Matter Experts in Equivocal Death Investigation and Analysis, and Injury Causation.

We are based in Colorado and provide expert consultations nationally. Learn details at
 www.DeathCaseReview.com

Here is a video explaining what we do and why -
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgsvtbSk8fg 



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

Special Announcement!

A Survivors' Guide to Death Investigations 

(delayed due unforeseen reasons.  Release in January 2014 through Amazon and Kindle)

 

We often hear from families, and attorneys and investigators representing families, that they simply do not know where to turn for understanding how the death of a loved one was (or should have been) investigated.  They seek closure through answers. 

  

This 'Survivors' Guide to Understanding Death Investigations' is a basic introduction into the concepts of the official investigation of death, such as by a coroner or medical examiner office. It is our hope that understanding these concepts will help the process of healing and closure.

 

This guide is based upon our combined legal and death investigation experience.  Specific to death investigation, this included responding to scenes and completing thorough and independent investigations, transporting the body and preparing for and assisting with the autopsy. In addition, the most dreaded and responsible component of the process included the determination, location and notification of the decedent's next-of-kin. Deaths investigated included fetuses to the elderly, natural deaths to homicides and home deaths to multi-vehicle collisions.

 

This guide is intended to provide survivors some of the knowledge and insight to informatively and intelligently understand the concepts and protocols of death investigation, and the ability to ask the right questions.  We hope that it serves that purpose. 

 

For details, please visit www.UnderstandingDeathInvestigations.com  

   

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.
 
We are proud of our working relationship with Dr. Cina, since 2002.

Agency News and Updates 

Global Investigators Media Group

Dean has been invited to join this new forum of investigators, founded by friend and colleague Tim O'Rourke. Also joining GIMG will be fellow Certified Legal Investigator and CRC Press author Rory McMahon, and fellow forensic investigator (arson and explosives) Richard Harris. Tim, Rory and Rich are all from Florida and each panelist will have featured commentary with group discussions on matters of importance to all investigators.

 

Dean will be focusing on matters of death investigations and injury causation, including commentary on national high profile cases. He will also be discussing federal and state legislative issues on behalf of NCISS.

 

Of GIMG, Tim shares this thought, "My hope is you will be inspired, educated and entertained, but also expect us to be challenged with tough questions that face our profession.  Expect to participate, when you are ready, with your questions, feedback and recommendations. This broadcast really is for you so I hope you will tell me what you want or need moving forward.   I look forward to keeping our profession moving forward."

 

GIMG will be launching in February, but you can sign up now for alerts and notifications at  http://gimg.tv 

 

Catch the first show. Tim has updated the show content at http://gimg.tv/002-pi-insight/#more-117

PI InSight host Tim O'Rourke had a discussion with Rory McMahon, Rich Harris and Dean Beers. Topics covered during this episode included: the future of GIMG.tv and legislative matters for Private Investigators in Alabama, Colorado, and Florida. Additionally, Rory and Dean discussed the NALI CLI test and upcoming conference in January (23-25) 2014.  Plus TALI's conference in March and FALI's 20th Anniversary conference May 1st-3rd 2014 in Tampa. 


On the air with Vito Colucci

We recently returned as guests on Crime Time with Vito Colucci, a long-time friend and colleague. Unfortunately, Karen was sick and unable to be a guest, but she did contribute to the show. Dean filled Vito and his listeners in on their upcoming book - A Survivors' Guide to Understanding Death Investigations - and their various travels, conferences and interesting cases of 2013. What a great way to end 2013!

 

As soon as this podcast is posted, we will post a link on our agency website, Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Vito's podcast archives, through 12/29/2013, are posted at http://www.businesstalkradio.net/weekend_host/Archives/ctvc.shtml  

 

theInvestigators - a listserv for and by profession investigators
Are you looking for a networking group via the traditional email listserves? Consider 'theInvestigators' at   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theInvestigators/join

Death Investigation - Distance Learning for Private Investigators
We are pleased and excited to announce that this distance learning course has been adapted by several professional associations - National Defender Investigator Association, Criminal Defense Investigator Training Council, New Jersey Private Investigator Association and several more are reviewing to offer as a benefit to their members.  In addition, this is approved by the Arizona funeral directors licensing board.

These associations offer course discounts to their members and receive a donated portion of the proceeds.  Please contact these associations for membership details and course discounts.  If your association is interested, please have them contact us - there is no cost or obligation to add this valuable member benefit and revenue sharing opportunity.  This is also available to individual investigators through a revenue sharing affiliate program.  Contact our agency for details.  Course details are at www.MedicolegalDeathInvestigations.com
 and includes an opportunity for continuing education approved in 17 states through PIEducation.com.

 

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".  

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.

PPIAC has been asked by state Sen. Linda Newell and state Rep. Jovan Melton to materially participate in a renewed effort to pass recently introduced legislation for mandatory licensing of private investigators in Colorado.  Presently Colorado has a voluntary licensure program, under which Dean and Karen are both licensed (http://www.coloradolicensedprivateinvestigators.com).

Dean remains on the PPIAC licensing committee.  For information and to lend your support, please contact Dean.

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.

 

NALI will be holding its Mid-Winter conference in Hollywood, FL from 01/23-01/25. Topics Include: Zimmerman Case (a NALI member was a defense expert), Computer/Phone Forensics, White Collar Criminal Defense and much more.  Details at http://nali.com/conference-mid-winter-hollywood.php 


The current 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) 

NCISS will be holding the annual Hit the Hill meeting with our Senators and Representatives from 04/06-04/08.  NCISS will be rolling out the new SAAB / SLAM Program - State Association Advisory Board and State Legislative Alert Monitoring, as well as a luncheon with the decision makers of Capitol Hill inside the Capitol building.  Join us in advocating for your profession and meeting your elected officials.  Details at http://www.nciss.org/news-and-events/the-full-event.php?eid=13  

 

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.

   

 

What are some benefits of being part of the National Council of Investigation & Security Services?  Please visit http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs179/1102296473151/archive/1115982035741.html.

 

World Association of Detectives (www.WAD.net

WAD will be holding its Mid-Term conference in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, from 03/06-03/09.  Details at http://www.wad.net/conferences-events and click on the conference link.  

 

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
-- (TALI) The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (www.TALI.org) will be holding its Spring Conference 03/07-03/08 in Houston, TX.  Visit the TALI website soon for upcoming conference details. 

-- (FALI) The Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (www.FALI.org) will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary at its 2014 Conference in Tampa from 05/01-05/03.  Dean will be speaking on Autopsy Protocols and Reviewing Autopsy Reports.  Details at http://www.fali.org/?page=FALICONFERENCE

 
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
 

   


 

NCISS Legislative Alerts

The following are recent alerts from the NCISS Legislative Committee. Each link is the individual alert. All NCISS Legislative Alerts are archived at:

(http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs052/1102296473151/archive/1110377933456.html)

  

Hearing Raises Privacy Issues

(http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs179/1102296473151/archive/1115868939681.html)

Analysis of Data Broker Oversight Hearing - Senate Commerce Committee
(
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs179/1102296473151/archive/1116030156243.html)

 

NCISS Legislative Alert: Death Master File Incorporated Into House Budget 
(http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs179/1102296473151/archive/1116008129067.html)

 

NCISS Legislative Alert:  Bill To Restrict Spoofing Introduced 

(http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs179/1102296473151/archive/1116077007740.html)

 

Colorado Cold Case

On the night of Wednesday, January 6, 1982, temperatures fell to 20 below on the snow-covered 11,500 ft. Hoosier Pass that connects the ski resort community of Breckenridge in Summit County and the bedroom communities of Alma and Fairplay in Park County, Colorado. This was the night that Barbara "Bobbie" Jo Oberholtzer and Annette Schnee were murdered under cover of darkness and desolation.

 

Continued at http://www.rockymountaincoldcase.com 

 

Do you have a Cold Case we can highlight? Send us a brief synopsis and contact information.

 

Woman Freed After Spending 20 Years in Prison

Woman freed after spending 20 years in prison for satanic ritual child abuse as evidence ruled to be faulty.

 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2514245/Woman-freed-spending-20-years-prison-satanic-ritual-child-abuse-evidence-ruled-faulty.html

Senate Bill Introduced to Prohibit Use of Credit Checks for Employment

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/senate-democrats-introduce-bill-to-bar-employers-from-using-credit-checks/2013/12/17/7c77044c-6742-11e3-ae56-22de072140a2_story.html 

 

For 22 Years, Caught in a Murder Case's Tangled Web

Legal investigators are on the front line of identifying the facts of these types of cases.  It is disturbing to see how much is manipulated and hidden to save the arrest, get the conviction and keeping someone from getting away - if they didn't do this crime, they certainly did another they weren't caught for.

 

Read the full story at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/02/nyregion/detectives-errors-were-just-the-start-of-a-nightmare-case.html

Post-Conviction Investigations and Exonerations

NALI / NCISS member Bob Rahn (Management Resources Ltd of NY) is unraveling the truth in a post-conviction investigation. Details at http://nyti.ms/1eIpewZ and another article at  http://www.propublica.org/article/for-brooklyn-prosecutor-a-troubled-last-term-and-a-trail-of-lingering-quest 

 

Fellow CLI and host of PI's Declassified, Francie Koehler, has been holding a series of interviews with death row exonerees all of December. Listen live on Thursday mornings or catch the archives at http://www.voiceamerica.com/Show/1748  

 

When will your child be eligible for parole?
Another fellow CLI, Sean Mulholland, shares his client's video on the issue of juvenile incarceration.

 

Think back to at time when you did something so stupid, so idiotic, where someone could have been hurt, or would have been hurt. Think back to when you were a teenager. Celebrated trial lawyer Hank Coxe asks, where is the morality behind incarcerating children?

 

View his video at http://youtu.be/5bHQ0l5QldQ 

 

Procuriate - Archived Court Documents Online  

Finding and reviewing historical and archived court documents is about to get a whole lot easier.

 

Search thousands of archived and historic U.S. court filings, instantly discover and purchase copies of court documents and download court filings in minutes not days, at a fraction of the cost.  http://signup.procuriate.com/qiO957

 

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...
Balancing the Scales of Justice

Indigent cases are difficult and they are taxpayer funded - resources and funding are very low. On average, the investigator might get $35 per hour. That may seem like a lot - but most expenses are not covered and this is contractual, self-employed. So, 15% in self-employment taxes, federal and state income taxes (not withheld), licenses and insurance, and overhead - and a lot of billing is forgiven because it won't be compensated (it can take 10 hours to review discovery, that could be the whole budget. Witnesses might not be interviewed, etc.

Continued at  
http://www.deathcasereview.com/1/post/2014/01/balancing-the-scales-of-justice.html

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

Expert Consultants and Legal Investigators
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 

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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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Follow us on Twitter   

 

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