Associates in Forensic Investigations 
a Rocky Mountain West Agency www.LicensedLegalInvestigators.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

Happy Independence Day!
We certainly hope you had a fun and safe holiday weekend, celebrating our greatest nation's birth and the world's first recognition of inalienable rights for all.  This was a time to remember our Founding Fathers, who envisioned, fought and gave us what no other country on Earth has, to this day. Remember those who have fought and sacrificed to ensure what is enshrined in our Declaration of Independence, and later our Constitution and embedded Bill of Rights.

During our first RV trip, the fall of 2012, we stopped in Philadelphia and had the experience of being in Independence Hall and feeling the excitement of voting for and declaring independence.  We then had the opportunity to see the Liberty Bell.  In April 2013, when Dean was at the annual Hit the Hill for the National Council of Investigation & Security Services, he toured the National Archives and viewed the original founding documents - including the Declaration of Independence.  These are experiences that words cannot describe, and must be personally made.

Colorado Private Investigator Licensure
Last year a new law was passed making licensing of private investigators in Colorado mandatory.

What is required to be licensed in Colorado?
-- Be 21 years of age or older and a US citizen (you do not have to be a Colorado resident);
-- Passing a jurisprudence exam on the rules, regulations and statutes of being a Colorado Licensed Private Investigator;
-- Passing a Colorado and FBI fingerprint criminal background check;
-- Securing a $10,000 surety bond for consumer protection; and
-- Level II - Demonstrating 4,000 hours or greater of experience (education can be included for up to 2,000 hours).

 

We are also licensed in Cheyenne WY for Private Investigation & Security.  What is required?
-- Be 21 years of age or older and a US citizen;
-- Passing a Wyoming and FBI fingerprint background check, and cleared by the Cheyenne Chief of Police and City Council; and
-- Securing an Errors & Omissions Liability Insurance ($2 million).

Learn more from www.LicensedLegalInvestigators.com 


You can verify Colorado licensure, and download a current list of licensees, at  https://www.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx 

 

 IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 

-- Celebrating Independence Day

-- Licensing in Colorado  

-- Autopsy of Freddie Gray - Accident or Homicide?

-- Danger of PI Apps - an opinion and warning  

-- Is Cell Phone Pinging Legal?
-- Articles and commentary of interest  

-- Associations and News of our Profession

-- From 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

Autopsy of Freddie Gray - Accident or Homicide?   

New commentary has been posted on our agency blog:  Autopsy of Freddie Gray - Accident or Homicide?


Baltimore Sun - "Autopsy of Freddie Gray shows 'high-energy' impact - death ruled Homicide"

When we see these media stories, our phones and emails buzz with questions.  The first - What does this mean?  Our standard response begins with, 'without having all the information the medical examiner had, we simply do not know.'  In medicolegal investigation, determinations are made based on the medical evidence - not legal / criminal statutes or undue influences.  Also in medicolegal investigation, this determination is based on a neutral investigation by the coroner / medical examiner's office.

Continued at http://www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/autopsy-of-freddie-gray-accident-or-homicide 

 
Danger of PI Apps

http://www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/danger-of-pi-apps

Colorado's PI licensing law, like other states with licensing, is for both consumer protection and protection of our profession.  Craigslist has been one of the bad apple mediums of unscrupulous purveyors.  We were recently told of a phone app that is being heavily advertising nationwide and can be dangerous to both consumers and our profession.

In response, we have posted this commentary - Danger of PI Apps: Counterpoint to 'App Tries To Make Private Investigators Less Creepy' 

 

This is in response to the original story, which is important to read to understand the context and concerns presented (follow the link to the story).  This story was shared by friend and colleague, Ron Rugen (Team Investigations, LLC of Kansas City, MO).  We also invite you to read Ron's similarly thought provoking commentary at his agency blog - http://www.kc-pi.com/2015/06/new-app-to-hire-private-investigator-not-good.  I have noticed a lot of online activity within our profession expressing similar concerns.  We should not worry about losing business to an app.  What we should be concerned about is the damage this activity can do to our profession and consumers.  It is our responsibility to not accept irresponsible, possibly illicit, activities.

 

NOTE - we have been advised that several professional associations and state licensing agencies are taking action, as this is likely illegal in states with licensing.  Colorado, like 45 other states, has a licensing law to protect consumers and our profession.  

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

 

The June podcast is available at

http://gimg.tv/015-facts-forensics/#more-657     

 

The June show is dedicated to law enforcement.  Our work shows us many perspectives, mostly good with some bad.  Last month Karen suggested we dedicate a show to our positive experiences and the positive roles law enforcement plays in our society and lives. For nearly a year, the media has had a daily barrage of negativity - which is severely impacting community relations with law enforcement. Karen also presents a recent study on use of force. Be sure and visit www.GIMG.tv for all of the Global Investigators Media Group hosts and shows!
 
DISTANCE LEARNING FOR INVESTIGATORS

AFI-LLC is developing distance learning video on demand courses for investigators, and has put together some distance learning courses from other contributors.  See complete details at www.InvestigativeCourses.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 http://amazon.privateinvestigations.org 

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.  Dr. Schueler is the Chief Forensic Toxicologist of a large mid-Atlantic metropolitan area.
 
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  

PI Day 07/24/2015 (Arthur Athas, Private Investigators Now, Melbourne Australia)

It was around this time last year we requested the consideration of our friends and colleagues globally to support us on a quest to create an official "Private Investigator's Day". The purpose was to advocate and promote the importance and significance of P.I's and their continued contribution to society. With the great assistance of Dean Beers (forensic-investigators.com), the event was formerly adopted and recognized by the National Council of Investigation & Security Services, the World Association of Detectives, the National Association of Legal Investigators, the Association of British Investigators and governing bodies and up to 80, 000 individual private investigators throughout the world. Many P.I agencies, investigators and friends held a picnic at a park, gathered for drinks as a catch up, held information gatherings and hosted a lunch or dinner. Others chose to commemorate with recognition of deceased investigators and their contribution to many important cases. Some simply chose to join the event in order to create contacts and networks globally.

 

"PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR'S DAY" IS ON 24 JULY 2015, COMMEMORATING THE BIRTH YEAR OF EUGENE FRANCOIS VIDOCQ, THE VERY FIRST PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR WHO FOUNDED THE FIRST KNOWN DETECTIVE AGENCY IN 1833. HIS LEGENDARY REPUTATION IS CREDITED GREATLY WITH SHAPING THE WAY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS ARE CARRIED OUT TODAY. 24 JULY IS ALSO DEPICTED AS 24/7, WHICH IS THE TRADING HOURS OF ANY TYPICAL PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR. TOGETHER, THESE MAKE AN EASY DAY FOR US TO REMEMBER.

 

Last year's theme was "Passionate search for the facts". This year's theme is "A valuable asset to the community since 1833"

 

WHAT CAN THE PUBLIC DO TO SUPPORT "PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR'S DAY?

Visit the Website or Facebook site of their local Private Investigator, speak to a Private Investigator about your concern or case, establish a connection with a Private Investigator and most important - keep the Private Investigator's details handy for any future reference. The majority of all Private Investigators are very down to earth and friendly and are happy to assist with any enquiries.

 

WHAT CAN PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS DO?

Share, copy and paste this link on your site. Endorse and promote the event proudly. Offer a discount on services for the day, for the week or the month. This will benefit us all to create awareness of our importance and contribution to society, create contacts, networks and be a part of a growing annual event.

 

SIMPLY CLICK "JOIN" THE EVENT TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. Private Investigator's Day - 24 July 2015 at https://www.facebook.com/events/369783936544595 

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, as well as those for your specialized investigations.

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.

PPIAC is holding its 3rd Annual Awards Banquet on July 25th.  You are invited to attend, nominate for the awards categories and sponsor the event.  For details, please visit https://ppiac.wildapricot.org/widget/event-1888369

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  www.nalionline.org/publications.htm
   

National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org

The next NCISS conference is in Las Vegas, NV from September 20 to 22.  Visit the NCISS website for details.

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

Stay tuned to this newsletter for upcoming exciting news about WAD!

The next WAD conference is in Toronto (Ontario) Canada from September 02 to 06.  Visit the WAD website for details.

JOIN NOW - SAVE $25!
If you are not yet a member of the World Association of Detectives, you can save $25 joining now.  Go online to www.WAD.net to apply online and use the code GQII2015 at checkout and the discount is good through December 31, 2015 and can only be used for online applications. Feel free to use our agency as a referral.

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).

 

Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council

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

 

Texas Association of Licensed Investigators
(www.TALI.org)
The next TALI conference is in San Antonio, TX from August 24th to 27th.  Visit the TALI website for details.

If your association has news, please send it to us for inclusion in our newsletter.
From 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 
 

   

 

 

Cell Pinging Technology - PursuitMag.com

Is cell phone pinging really possible (and legal) for private investigators? Pursuit asked reporter Sean Cole to find out.  A good, and important, read on misunderstood technology. http://pursuitmag.com/cell-phone-pinging-triangulation 

 

US Supreme Court Expands Warrantless Seach of Home 

'Supreme Court Rules that Cops DO NOT Need a Warrant to Search Your Home' is the headline, but not wholly accurate.  There are exceptions, and SCOTUS has now expanded one of them.

 

One recent opinion - 'In another devastating blow to freedom, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that police don't need a warrant to search your property. As long as two occupants disagree about allowing officers to enter, and the resident who refuses access is then arrested, police may enter the residence.'

  

Our view - The rights of every citizen - before becoming a defendant - are crucial.

There are a couple issues, which we will deal with on our agency blog this month and post in the August newsletter. One - if an aggressor is not giving consent to search and their co-habitating victim is saying yes - this is a gray area. The defendant's rights specific to the search, which should trump - but with this decision, does not. Two - if a suspect to a crime unrelated to co-habitating, and not yet arrested, will not give consent and a spouse/partner does - the defendant's rights should greatly trump this. It has already been a tactic by law enforcement to get permission from an unsuspecting co-habitant or vehicle owner, etc. The SCOTUS summary opinion provides that if there is disagreement of consent, upon arrest of the dissenter, another occupant may give consent.

  

NCISS News

NCISS June Report from NCISS and Lobbyit (http://t.co/NCUJBsf348)  

 

In the month of June, Lobbyit focused on the biggest game in town, the appropriations process.  Lobbyit and NCISS worked in conjunction with like interests to hit Congress hard to encourage legislators to act to restrain the Department of Labor from implementing a host of harmful rules.  Lobbyit and NCISS also composed and sent out an Advocacy Hub message (which is currently active) asking NCISS members to write their legislators and encourage them to cement the hard-fought gains achieved in the appropriations process, and vote for final passage of both the House and Senate versions.  Rarely has Congress spoken in one strong voice like we now see in the the Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) appropriations bill.  Lobbyit and NCISS are proud to have played an important role in making these bills a reality.  We encourage all NCISS members to weigh in through the Advocacy Hub. Your voice clearly makes a difference.

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...
How important is knowing, and learning of, 'trivial' information to an investigator?  A true case lesson from Dean's book - www.PracticalMethodsForLegalInvestigations.com...

The more information an accuser presents in the allegations the better it is to prove or disprove any or all of the allegations.  This is demonstrated in this example of a sexual assault:  The accuser describes having a boyfriend that she is staying with - that no one in the family had met.  This is the person she reached out to and who encouraged her to report the allegations ('outcry').  He was described as 20 years of age and an Army recruiter (E-4 Sergeant) that had been promoted to a Drill Sergeant and will be stationed in Georgia for that training.  From one statement in an interview to law enforcement, here are facts that can be quickly determined directly from the US Army:
-- E-4 is a Corporal;
-- Drill Sergeant requires an E-5 or higher pay grade;
-- Each pay grade takes 1-2 years for promotion, not including any accelerated advancement;
-- There is a long waiting list for Drill Sergeant School, with special background and requiring a security clearance;
-- Drill Sergeant School is only in Mississippi.

This was a witness that could never be found. It was the beginning of looking into each of her stories and unraveling them. It took 18 more months, but it ultimately led to proving her allegations could not have happened and full dismissal.

* * * * *

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
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.


In addition, we continue to provide Individual Locates, Backgrounds and Assets & Liabilities for your Civil, Criminal, Probate and Domestic Relations litigation. Additional information at  www.deathcasereview.com/general-services.html

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
[email protected]

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:

[email protected]    

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  

INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

Offering Continuing Education Resources for Investigations
- Distance Learning Video On-Demand
- Distance Learning Correspondent
- Books, Articles and Resources

www.InvestigativeCourses.com 


Introducing Investigative Courses presented by Associates in Forensic Investigations.
 
As professional legal investigators and expert consultants, continuing education is important.  For over 25 years we have strived to improve ourselves and further our profession.  We have authored multiple books and dozens of published articles, and a distance learning correspondent course.  We are now expanding to offer distance learning video on-demand courses.  All of our resources are connected to one website - www.InvestigativeCourses.com.

Presently we have developed:
-- Ethics for Professional Investigators (FREE)
-- Basics of Skip Tracing, Backgrounds and Assets & Liabilities Investigations
-- Death Investigations for Professional Investigators

And from other professional investigators and course developers:
-- S2 Safety & Intelligence Courses
-- Become a Private Investigator

We also have highly recommended books and tools from Amazon available.  We will be expanding over the next several weeks and months with general and specialized courses and resources.  Please visit regularly and email us with your course suggestions.