Associates in Forensic Investigations 
a Rocky Mountain West Agency www.DeathCaseReview.com Legal Investigators and Expert Consultants
Personal Injury, Negligence & Death
Civil, Criminal & Probate
Equivocal Death Investigations
 
Colorado (970) 480-7793 ~ Wyoming (307) 222-0136

Quaero Indicium -
'To Find the Evidence'
Please distribute to others that may have an interest

Greetings

Our Constitution, including the ratified Bill of Rights, went into effect March 1789! (http://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm)
Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words - "We The People" - affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens.

Legal investigators, whether working in civil, criminal or probate litigation, are an integral part of supporting and defending the Constitutional rights of all persons.  This is without bias or prejudice, and is both an honor and responsibility.  This month is dedicated to each of our friends and colleagues that join us in this noble profession.


Distance Learning
In April we will begin offering distance learning investigation video seminars.  These will cover a variety of topics from basic to advanced skills, and range from one to four hours (in convenient segments).  Our first video seminar will be Ethics and the Professional Investigator (a working title).  We are excited to present this new learning tool. 

We also welcome your ideas for future seminars.  These will be cost-effective, with reference materials included - and life-time access at no additional charge.

Please look for details in our next newsletter - which will include a special discount code for future seminars.  The ethics seminar will always be free.

We conduct every investigation using our proven techniques, outlined in Dean's textbook, 'Practical Methods for Legal Investigations - Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases' at (www.PracticalMethodsForLegalInvestigations.com)

We are experienced investigators in personal injury, negligence and death in civil, criminal and probate litigation.  We
are both certified in Medicolegal Death Investigation (MLDI), with extensive education, training and experience.  Additionally, we are both Certified Criminal Defense Investigators (CCDI) and Dean is one of less than 80 Certified Legal Investigators (CLI).  Karen's education, training and experience in social work, as well as both of their experiences in the death investigation system are supportive of our clients' investigative needs.  The following are for direct assignments and do not include time or expenses for written reports.

We work with investigators and attorneys.  Contact our office to discuss your litigation investigative support needs in detail and confidentially.


FEATURES AND NEWS YOU CAN USE: 

-- Now contact us by text message (SMS) 

-- New agency bios   

-- Another Update to Military Records - what we learned on a case 

-- 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 


Dean and Karen Beers  
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.
 
Agency News and Updates
Contact Us by Phone, Text or Fax with One Number
We are now able to receive text messages (SMS) on our main office numbers for Colorado and Wyoming.  You may also fax to our main number, however, we still maintain our separate fax numbers.
Colorado - (970) 480-7793 (Dean x1 and Karen x2)
Wyoming - (307) 222-0136 (Dean x1 and Karen x2)
Toll-Free - (888) 281-6812 (voicemail only - your call will be returned)

IMPORTANT - when sending communication, particularly by SMS and including email, please include your name and agency.  Our contacts do not merge with our office system and we otherwise have no way of knowing who is contacting us.

New Agency Bios 

Dean - http://deanbeers.branded.me  

Karen - http://karenbeers.branded.me

  

If you have a LinkedIn account, you can also effortlessly create a unique website of your bio.  Just go to www.branded.me and use your LinkedIn account to login, follow a few easy clicks and you're done!  Take a look at ours and see how they can look.

  

Don't forget - send us your LinkedIn request!  Dean is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/forensicinvestigators and Karen is at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/karen-beers/36/a8/807 


Update to Requesting Military Records

In December we told you how to request available military records. This commentary has been updated at

http://www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/requesting-military-records 

-- A change in how to check the status of your request; and

-- What we learned from our recent request

 

Checking on the status of your request has changed (as of February 2015)...

 

Once you have sent your request, you can check on the status of a request for records that has been submitted to NPRC going to www.archives.gov/st-louis/forms/index.html or by phone at (314) 801-0800 (early morning central time is best). Please note that status checks by email (mprstatus@nara.gov) are no longer accepted (February 2015).

 

We received copies for a case, on a rush basis (about one month). The client provided a copy of the subject's DD214, which had some time lapses, and noted an Honorable discharge. The records received filled in those dates - as AWOL, a deserter and incarceration for these convictions. The discharge, with benefits, was negotiated. See our updated commentary at http://www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/the-necessity-of-complete-background-investigations 

  

Global Investigators Media Group (GIMG.tv) with Facts & Forensics

 

The February podcast is available at

http://gimg.tv/011-facts-forensics/#more-598  

 

Forensic Evidence of Gunshot Residue and Guest for Internet Investigations
Host Dean Beers will have an extended discussion with Karen during Conversations with Karen on the questions and answers to GSR testing and how it applies, as evidence, to equivocal death investigations.

 

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

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'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. 

Tidbits from AFI-LLC  

Where to send subpoenas and court orders for cell phones and ISPs 

If you need to send a subpoena or court order for cell phone or ISP records, here is a link that is continually updated...

 

New commentary from the AFI-LLC blog: 
Gunshot Residue Testing (posted 02/12//2015) 
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI 

Since returning to the private sector in late 2008, we have not had a case inquiring or requesting GSR testing - until recent months.  In one case GSR was completed by the agency as routine protocol, and in two private consultations we demonstrated the unreliability of GSR and recommended more definitive alternative protocols for the cases.  With these recent cases, we decided some information was needed.  The information in our commentary is simplified and not intended to relate any scientific processes or principles beyond some explanation. Please visit http://www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/gunshot-residue-gsr-and-testing

PPIAC - Updates to CO 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.

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 
Associations and News of Our Profession
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, TX 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 is 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

Join WAD April 19-21 in the beautiful southern city of Savannah, Georgia.  Details are at the WAD website!

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).

 


Florida Association of Licensed Investigators
FALI will be holding their next conference from May 7-9 in Cocoa Beach, FL.  Details at http://www.fali.org/?page=FALICONFERENCE

 

Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council

CDITC will be holding the next CCDI academy June 15-19.  Details at www.CDITCTraining.com

 

If your association has news, please send it to us for inclusion in our newsletter.
In the News
Courtroom
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
 

   

 

How the flawed 'science' of bite mark analysis has sent innocent people to prison

(This is the first of four parts to this series)

Bite mark analysis is most commonly used in criminal rape, murder and child abuse cases. It also sometimes comes into play in child custody disputes. The field has always had its critics. As with other flawed forensic specialties, those critics found some vindication in the 1990s when DNA testing started uncovering wrongful convictions won primarily on bite mark testimony. According to the Innocence Project, 24 people - including Gerard Richardson - have been exonerated after they were either convicted or arrested because of the assertions of a bite mark analyst.  Continued at  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/02/13/how-the-flawed-science-of-bite-mark-analysis-has-sent-innocent-people-to-jail 

 

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 May 2015 (our regular cases are keeping us busy).  

 

NCISS Legislative Alerts

January NCISS Monthly Report from Lobbyit

The January legislative report from the NCISS Legislative Committee and LobbyIt. This monthly report is available at http://t.co/6HuX2nhevE

 

Supreme Court Rules Against NC Dental Board

This full NCISS Legislative Alert is available at http://t.co/Myt9mvk5Ck.

 

Stay Current with NCISS 

The best way to stay current and support the investigative and security professions is by joining NCISS.  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   

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...

 

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* * * * * 

How can we help you?  Together We're Better - We Make the Difference!

      
Don't forget to share our newsletters.  If you are receiving this from a friend
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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
Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI 
Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
Associates@DeathCaseReview.com

Colorado (970) 480-7793 and Wyoming (307) 222-0136
(Dean x1 and Karen x2)  

Newsletter and Press Release Archives from July 2010  

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In This Issue
Agency News and Updates
Our Affiliated Experts
Tidbits from AFI-LLC
Associations and Our Profession News
In the News...
Qualities of a Professional Investigator
In Closing...
On Our website

AFI-LLC Since 1987

Featured Articles

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

For details email:

Associates@Forensic-Investigators.com    

Tools for the

Litigation Attorney and Professional Investigator

(click images for details)

 

 

Death Investigation Course for PIs  

 

 

A Survivors' Guide to Understanding Death Investigations   

 

 

 Investigator Case Management System

Learn more - FREE eBook and sneak peek 

 

 Attorney Case File  

Attorney Trial Management System

Books, Resources, Vanity Email and Subdomains for PIs  


FREE WEBINAR

AFI-LLC will be hosting its first Death Investigation related webinar in May.

 

FREE - Autopsies and Reports (two one-hour webinars):

www.PrivateInvestigations.org/webinar.html

 

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)