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Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC a Rocky Mountain West Agency www.DeathCaseReview.com Wyoming (307) 222-0136 ~ Colorado (970) 480-7793 Quaero Indicium -'To Find the Evidence' Please distribute to others that may have an interest
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Greetings February gives us Groundhog Day, Presidents Day and Valentines Day! It looks like Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, giving us six more weeks of winter. Some areas of the country are going to be unhappy. Colorado has been typical - high 60s and shorts one day, below freezing and bundled up the next (sometimes the same)! Valentines Day is a special day for love. Like other holidays, why one day - when you can celebrate it every day? Its also a day of discovering infidelity. Although our agency has never been involved is such cases, we do provide social media investigations (SMI) and open source intelligence investigations (OSI) for civil and criminal cases, and may help with domestic and infidelity cases. Contact our agency for this, and see below two cases that became very interesting after Karen dug deep into the social media background of opposing parties.
If you are giving gifts, why not give a great gift for both Valentines Day and Presidents Day? February 16th is Presidents Day. There is still time to order an autographed copy for someone who loves history as much as you love them! Email Dean - beersda@BeersWithOurFoundingFathers.com for details!
Learn the answers and history of our Country, Founding Fathers and Founding Documents detailed in his book, 'Beers with our Founding Fathers' - all formats (paperback, Kindle, etc.) are available from www.beerswithourfoundingfathers.com
Nationwide MVRs by VIN or Plate We are excited and pleased to announce the roll out of a new service we have been testing. As you may know, we are licensed in Cheyenne WY - and when mandatory licensing opens up in March and becomes effective in June, we will again be licensed in Colorado. We have been able to conduct vehicle searches in multiple states and have now confirmed that we can do so with all 50 states, and for our professional colleagues (all applicable laws and regulations apply - your state may have exclusions). The searches are limited to VIN or plate number only - we are unable to search other states by name or address at this time. One recent colleague requested a state plate search. The registration was found, however it was also learned that the vehicle was titled in a different state. A common manner of hiding assets - but not found using conventional databases. Please visit http://mvr.privateinvestigations.org for details. FEATURES AND NEWS YOU CAN USE:
-- Our Agency Getting Results for Clients
-- Advantages of Social Media Sites
-- Update on Military Records - Importance of Complete Background Checks
-- Articles and commentary of interest
-- Associations and News of our Profession
-- In the News
-- The Quint-Essential Qualities of a Professional Investigator
-- AND MORE!
Together We're Better - Together We Make the Difference! Associates in Forensic Investigations LLC is a Rocky Mountain West Agency owned by 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 the Rocky Mountain West 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.
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Agency News and Updates
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AFI-LLC - Working for Our Clients
It was a busy January for our agency. A few big cases came to conclusions, and we are proud to have played important roles.
Some historical examples of notable cases are at http://www.deathcasereview.com/sample-cases.html
Multiple Sex Assault Charges
Our agency was pleased to learn that an extensive criminal defense investigation, which uncovered new and relevant information, was material in the outcome in the best interests of all involved. The complex case took extensive AFI-LLC team work to review the records and reports provided in disclosure, as well as extensive research and interviews that revealed mitigating factors, and verified reported information, which enabled an informed decision making process. The rights and personal integrity of all involved were ultimately protected.
* It should be noted that Karen's social media background investigations uncovered over 70 pages of evidence, by the reporting party, that contradicted her reported statements and also uncovered multiple similar allegations in another state that would not have been uncovered by any conventional records check.
Homicide and Aggravated Assault Charges
Our most common investigations and consultations involve death and injury causation, and analysis of the integrity of the official investigation and evidence.
Our agency was excited to learn that another extensive criminal defense investigation has materially aided in causing the prosecution to revisit their case and request conferences with defense in the shadows of trial. Having uncovered undisclosed evidence, destroyed evidence, missing evidence, new witnesses and circumstances not disclosed by witnesses - the defense was prepared to call one key expert witness. The prosecution offered an amended charge from First Degree Murder to Second Degree Manslaughter. The prosecution was further compelled to offer the same to the co-defendant under separate legal representation. This new and relevant information, was material in the outcome in the best interests of all involved. The complex case took extensive AFI-LLC team work to review the records and reports provided in disclosure, as well as extensive research. This revealed the relevant evidence (and lack or destruction thereof) which enabled an informed decision making process. The rights and personal integrity of all involved were ultimately protected.
Domestic Relations Settlement Offer Reduced (by nearly 85%)
In a case that had elements of all the investigative techniques available, our agency was able to uncover material evidence that played a pivotal role in assisting our client in their domestic relations settlement. The opposing party began at $300,000 (which would have included liquidating real property and retirement assets). During the settlement conference the opposing party reached $185,000 and was countered with a final offer $50,000. Announcing they were unprepared to make any decisions, the opposing party discontinued discussions. During the course of the following two months, our agency uncovered several areas of discrepancy in the background of the opposing party. This included false disability claims (*again, Karen found video on a social media site of the opposing party dancing at a town festival, and statements of them being capable of walking over two miles without any mobility aids). Additional information included false information about their military background, financial background, unlawful transfer of assets (using our network of colleagues, one found the vehicle in a rural area based on social media information). Finally, the same efforts in the background found the the opposing party was able-bodied to work. These efforts resulted in a settlement equal to that in discussions two months prior and a preservation of assets.
Global Investigators Media Group (GIMG.tv) with Facts & Forensics
The January podcast is available at
http://gimg.tv/010-facts-forensics/#more-584
Ringing in 2015 with Cell Phone Forensics! Host Dean Beers will update listeners with recent legislative news from the National Council of Investigation & Security Services, and some updates from previous shows on the importance of background checks. Karen joins Dean with Conversations with Karen to talk about the importance of open source intelligence and social media checks for backgrounds. Finally, Dean welcomes his guest, Tom Slovenski, to talk about how Your Phone is Your Personal Profile and cell phone forensics.
Be sure and visit www.GIMG.tv for all of the Global Investigators Media Group hosts and shows! 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's consultation practice is Forensic Toxicology Consulting Services.
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 and Dr. Schueler since 2010.
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Tidbits from AFI-LLC
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New commentary from the AFI-LLC blog:
Advantages of Social Media Sites (posted 01/15/2015)
Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI
Investigators need to be innovative when it comes to discovering information that might help a client. The norm might be to head straight for a pay data base to find criminal behavior on the other party in a court case. We have to keep our eyes and ears open all of the time and learn to think and work outside of that mundane box. The discovery of pertinent information can come from many different sources . Continued at http://www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/advantages-of-social-media-sites Be sure and contact Karen for your social media and open source research needs - beersks@DeathCaseReview.com The Necessity of Complete Background Investigations (posted 01/17/2015) Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI (This is a follow-up to previous commentary on Military Records) When I first wrote 'Professional Locate Investigations' (www.ProfessionalLocateInvestigations.com) it was intended to be a guide to one of the most common tasks of all private investigators - locating people. Several years later we decided an updated edition was needed to fill in some gaps and update some information to be more current. In the investigative world being current is important, but keeping resources current is a daunting task. That is one reason we value trade magazines, trade blogs and other sources by fellow professionals. The new edition was revamped and designed to demonstrate the similarities of locate investigations, background checks and assets & liabilities checks. Full investigations are more than just gathering records, butyou have to start with the records. Continued at http://www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/the-necessity-of-complete-background-investigations (see our commentary requesting military records at http://www.deathcasereview.com/1/post/2014/11/requesting-military-records.html) PPIAC - Updates to CO PI Law! (version #01062015) 2015 GUIDE TO THE NEW COLORADO PI LAW. Updated with the newest information to include yesterday's disclosures from DORA to include the application fee, when the application will be going online, when the refunds for the voluntary license will be issued, and more. If you have something to add to it (or need a question answered) please let me know. This guide is a living document and was created to help you in your business. Download the guide at http://ppiac.org/pi-licensing-lawWARNING - an individual in California, who has lost his PI license, is promoting a guide to pass the Colorado license examination. Not only is the exam not yet developed, but this 'guide' is not endorsed by either the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) or Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC). Our agency strongly cautions against using any material not prepared by DORA or PPIAC. We will gladly keep our colleagues appropriately and honestly informed. A Survivors' Guide to Understanding Death Investigations
"A Survivors' Guide to Understanding Death Investigations" - a book developed to help those who have lost a loved one to understand the maze, complexities and protocols of official death investigations.
We often hear from families, attorneys, investigators and funeral homes representing families, looking for where to turn in understanding how the death of a loved one was (or should have been) investigated. They seek closure through answers. Learn more at www.understandingdeathinvestigations.com
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Associations and News of Our Profession
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The value of networking extends beyond your local clients and colleagues, and should include statewide, nationally and internationally. This should include your state association, NALI, NCISS and WAD for international camaraderie.
Professional Private investigations Association of Colorado (www.PPIAC.org)
Monthly meetings are the first Wednesday of each month, usually in the Denver metro area. PPIAC will begin holding training sessions specific to the new licensing program. 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 current issue of NALI's official journal - The Legal Investigator - is now available online at http://www.nalionline.org/publications.htm
NALI has changed its conference schedule to have one annual conference. the 2015 Annual Conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas on May 28-30 at the historic Menger Hotel. Confirmed speakers include a forensic pathologists and a forensic anthropologist from the area. Details at http://nalionline.org/events-educational-opportunities
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org)
All national and state association leaders, and professional investigators and security persons, are invited to join NCISS for the annual Hit the Hill event in Washington DC in April. Details are at http://www.nciss.org/news-and-events/the-full-event.php?eid=79
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. Dean has become the editor of Your Advocate (formerly The Report). Members of NCISS receive a copy of the three times yearly newsletter and is posted online at http://www.nciss.org/news-and-events/nciss-the-report.php. The current bi-monthly issue of Your eAdvocate (formerly The eReport), and all NCISS Legislative Alerts, and key benefits are posted at http://conta.cc/ZoQsTl.
World Association of Detectives (www.WAD.net)
Dean is the Governor of the Americas and works with Ambassadors in North, Central and South America to further the mission of WAD and provide resources to clients needing assistance in these regions. The WAD magazine, Beyond Global, is available online at http://www.wad.net/newsletters-beyond-global.
Additional memberships include FALI, TALI and CALI state associations, as well as specialty specific national associations (see right side-bar).
If your association has news, please send it to us for inclusion in our newsletter.
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In the News
|  News happens 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
Update - Review of Ferguson MO Grand Jury
Our agency has been asked our thoughts. Specific to the findings, we will have to let the information, facts and evidence speak for themselves. We will report on this in early 2015. We are finders of fact and will review all information available and provided. Our findings may support any official findings, dispute some or all of the official findings, as well as support and/or dispute some or all of the concerns expressed by the public. It is our goal to provide the findings.
We have received all available information to review this case, several thousand pages of records and reports, and hundreds of photographs. Many not made available with the release of the grand jury evidence. Did the grand jury see everything? No, juries don't. Did they see all the relevant evidence? We hope to answer that. We estimate 300 to 400 hours will be needed to complete this task and hope to be concluded by the end of March 2015.
NCISS Legislative Alerts
With Congress in holiday recess, and a new session of Congress started, legislative activity at the federal level has been quiet.
Visit the NCISS web site for a compendium of key legislation by state at http://www.nciss.org/legislation/latest-legislation.php then go to the link entitled "State Legislation." The white states are states that either have no pending bills of interest or are not in session. You can also page down to your state where it is listed alphabetically.
Check out the recently launched "Advocacy Hub." If you have not heard about the "Advocacy Hub," the Hub allows members to send already drafted letters to key legislators and government officials right from the web site. Currently there are two items pending. Check them out!
This service, usually reserved for members only, is temporarily complimentary from NCISS to make those aware of the strength and value of NCISS and proactive legislative awareness.
Archives of NCISS Legislative Alerts
http://conta.cc/ZoQsTl
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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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This Coachmen Leprechaun RV (model 319-DS on a Ford 450) is in excellent condition and the mileage is under 18,000. Engine and Transmission still under warranty. Over $1,000.00 in extras to help your RV experience be more comfortable. http://forsale2013leprechaunrv.weebly.com Suggested Retail $119,999 Average Retail $84,300 Our asking price is only $78,500
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Serious Inquiries only Please!! (855) 284-4744 toll-free
Here's a video http://youtu.be/jUtGgRiTWJU (at least listen to the background music)
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How can we help you? Together We're Better - We Make the Difference!
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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 Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI
Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
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Newsletter and Press Release Archives from July 2010
< Click Here >
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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) Inner Circle of Investigators (ICI) 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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Do you want to learn death and injury causation
and accept these cases with expert consultations?
The Process of Injury Causation, Death Investigation and Autopsies!
Learn the concepts and protocols of investigating injury causation and death, and protocols of the forensic autopsy and findings of the autopsy in the final report. This will be an information packed and fast paced series of presentations. This distance learning course provides the insight necessary to understanding the importance of injury causation to the death investigation. This will transition into the reviewing and comprehending the autopsy findings presented in the final autopsy report.
If you are involved in legal investigations of civil, criminal or probate litigation, this is a valuable course.
Warning: includes graphic images Here is what one colleague recently said about our Death Investigation for Private Investigators distance learning course: "I just finished your medicolegal death investigations for private investigators course. I must admit it was one of the best written courses I have taken in a long time. Not sure what I got on the test but I did get a certificate of completion. I truly enjoyed the content and managed to learn quite a bit as well. As far as the usefulness of the information I have already found two of my current cases that parts of the course provided me additional information as well as different routes of investigation that I may not have thought of or been aware of. Please accept my thanks and appreciation for your course. Thanks" (Curtis Burkett - Curtis Burkett & Associates Investigations)
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