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!

 

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

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-law

WARNING - 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.