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Professional Investigators Targeted

1/3/2021

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Professional Investigators Targeted
Since late 2016 our profession has faced a growing assault on our access to important public records. This assault has been primarily from the same online media outlets, and reported here multiple times (search our blogs for ‘privacy’). Beginning late 2019 this grew literally by the month, sometimes consecutive weeks. This has gained the attention of lawmakers and regulators – state and federal, who are taking up considerations to act on state and federal versions of the Drivers Protection Privacy Act (DPPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Graham-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB) and others.

NCISS, NALI and state associations are all working together for you. Your membership and support are needed or we – you – will likely lose our – your – access to these regulated public records at the discretion of misinformed and zealous privacy advocates. At the heart of this is the access to driver license records.
 
One such action being taken is a state associations / NCISS joint resolution for Professional Investigators related to driver license records access. This resolution would be similar to the NCISS 2008 restrictions for about individual locates and subject data – www.nciss.org/code-of-ethics  and disclosure / non-disclosure. Our agency has also recommended every association adopt a Standards of Practice for all members to follow – we adapted ours from Colorado's licensing program (www.DeathCaseReview.com/standards). These are not enough. There will be active fights at state and national levels – letter and testimony campaigns – by association leaders and members volunteering their time and resources to preserve this important information resource for legitimate purposes. With each records request there is a multi-factor requirement: 1) the permitted entity, such as a licensed private investigator; and 2) the permitted purpose, such as litigation. Having only one of these will result in a denial. So what is the perceived problem?
 
The biased media propaganda repeatedly states two things: 1) states are making millions selling private personal data (driver license records), and to Professional Investigators; and 2) the purpose of anticipated litigation is too vague and permissive. Professional Investigators are the low hanging fruit. There are reasons for this perception.
 
For as long as Professional Investigators have existed we have been our own worst enemies. Specifically, when any government entity (i.e. state licensing audit, DMV audit, clients, etc.) checks out a PIs website and sees the stereotypical "We'll track any cheating spouse" – surveillance, GPS, "We can look at any computer or phone and tell you what your spouse has been doing." and so on – damage is done (this has cost some states their GPS use to PIs). Sure, most PIs screen the client and case – but their catchy website graphics and text have done the damage in giving a bad name. For those who doubt this is true – read any related media story, past and current legislative testimony, and states – FL, CA, TX, NC and others have all reported doing this and denying records. Even professional language is attacked – if a PIs site has said they provide any service other than what an auditor finds acceptable for access, they are denied. It has and is happening now. What isn't bad enough on websites is worse on social media groups. We have previously reported the dangers of PIs negligently posting on social media, particularly in professional groups. We have warned moderators the media and state auditors are monitoring these posts. This is where most of the bad stereotype stories have been coming from.
 
PIs access to data providers is not their purpose or concern – we are allowed access because there has not been a reason to keep us out. This is moving fast to change in 2021 and to keep PIs out. Despite the misinformation in the online media – PIs do not make up even more than 5% of the subscribers to data, and even less in revenue volume. PIs are simply low hanging fruit and with bad apples posting on their websites and social media flagrant privacy violations, and bad actors committing illegal acts – the target is on the back of every PI. Data providers – government and private – will quickly ban PIs if doing so will protect them, still give the access to data, and still keep their largest clients – many of whom are our own clients – attorneys, insurance companies, collections, etc.
 
Professional Investigators legitimately request and use all data. We are vetted before licensure, we are vetted for association memberships, and we are vetted at the point of records requests and access (government or aggregate data provider). Our access and use of records is not only screened multiple times before a request, our request is vetted again specific to the request. What can we do to demonstrate our professionalism?
- Clean up your website of any catchy and potentially derogatory slang, slogans, and services.
- Clean up your social media posts disclosing anything another person may exploit, misunderstand, use against you or simply makes our profession look bad. Use professional editorial.
- Be ambassadors for your agency, your reputation, and our profession – be positive and professional.
- Join, support, and be active in your state and national associations for legislative advocacy (www.privateinvestigations.org/associations). If you do not have this advocacy, you do not have the data and resources you – and your clients – need.
 
Remember – this is not about your access to information as a professional investigator. This is about your ability to do the best job for your client, because that is why they have retained you. Why have they retained you, and why do you need access to these records?
- Locate children abducted by their non-custodial parents and reunite them with their families.
- Track down deadbeat parents.
- Uncover insurance fraud by verifying the identity and background of claimants.
- Assist identity theft victims.
- Conduct background investigations of employees who have threatened other employees.
- Locate and serve witnesses in civil and criminal, including capital defense cases.
- Identify pedophiles, sexual predators, and stalkers.
- Locate a missing family member for probate or organ donor for transplants and bone marrow matches.
- Conduct pre-employment backgrounds of applicants of childcare centers, schools, health care facilities.
- Conduct due diligence investigations to satisfy the judicial system.
 
Be prepared for the legislative and regulatory rulemaking response, "We are not eliminating access to the record for attorneys, insurance companies, collections, etc. It is the middleman we are eliminating to stop these nefarious activities." Your part begins with being active – www.privateinvestigations.org/associations.


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Understanding Medicolegal Conclusions

12/6/2020

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Understanding Medicolegal Conclusions
in Death or Serious Bodily Injury


Investigators interested in learning more about Death and SBI Investigations, are encouraged to look in to our related books and courses at www.InvestigativeCourses.com
 
As Expert Medicolegal Investigators, we investigate, review, and consult in death and serious bodily injury (SBI) cases more than any other services we provide. We do so for civil, criminal, and probate litigation, as well in cases of questioned insurance benefits – most commonly accident vs. suicide, and also the actions of the insured party leading up to the covered event. These are most often for attorneys, and also other investigators. We also provide services in select private family cases of questioned deaths.
 
We will review, and then if substantiated, investigate starting with the official investigation records, reports and photographs. These are numerous, and much more than the standard police report or autopsy report – which are no different than our own – they are reports of findings based on evidence. We want to see the evidence, and possibly – most often – find more evidence. We will analyze and review the official investigation and provide an expert opinion if standard protocols and practices were followed, and if the official findings are consistent with the evidence. We will then make recommendations if further investigation is warranted by our agency, and/or our consulting forensic pathologist and consulting forensic toxicologist, including other experts. 
 
Cause and Manner is not exclusive to death investigations. Similar processes and findings are used in SBI cases, and also civil and criminal cases, fire investigations, motor vehicle collisions, and more. Understanding these two components, and their differences, is necessary to understanding the roles of involved investigators and experts.
 
In death investigations, the Cause of Death is a medical finding and opinion – and is the medical reason for death. These are based on a medicolegal probability conclusion – not a legal certainty. In other cases, such as fire or motor vehicle collisions it would be the series of events giving the reason for the fire or collision. This is determined from investigative and forensic evidence, direct and circumstantial. This may be determined by any combination of, or only: autopsy (medical or forensic), investigation, or review of the medical records.
 
Next is the Manner of Death – which is a medicolegal finding – and is a category: Natural – a medical or health factor; Accident – due to the person’s or another’s actions without intent; Suicide – due the person’s actions with knowledge and/or intent; Homicide – due to another person’s actions with knowledge and/or intent; and Undetermined – in which the evidence is inconclusive as to a specific Manner. The same Cause of Death – such as an overdose, gunshot wound, or motor vehicle collision – may have different applicable Manners due to the circumstances within the Cause. A person may die or have a SBI due to an overdose, gunshot wound, or motor vehicle collision and the Manner be Accident, Homicide (or attempted), Suicide (or attempted), or Undetermined. A motor vehicle collision could be due to a medical event and be Natural. Careful, skilled, and experienced investigation is important to ascertaining the facts and findings.
 
It is important to also differentiate between a medical manner and similar legal manner. For example, a motor vehicle collision caused an intoxicated driver with a fatality will be Accident, however, the legal finding – or charge – may be vehicle homicide. The Cause and Manner of Death are both similar to the civil standard of a preponderance or statutory standards of reasonable or probable; and are not the more strict criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt.
 
Our agency may be involved in any various investigations and expert consultations mentioned here, and others. We are not accident reconstructionists or fire investigators – we have knowledge and experience with these; however, insufficient to reach a finding or conclusion as to causation. We do consult with other experts, just as we do in our death investigations. These experts will tell us the Cause, and additional findings and their consultations will assist us in determining the Manner.
 
It is important to know the distinctions and qualifications of the investigators and experts of your cases.
We are here to help and have an extensive network.


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Experience is Prepared

11/1/2020

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Experience is Prepared
We are all ready to put 2020 behind us – it was not the ‘2020’ vision we asked for at the beginning of the year!
 
There are lessons to be shared and learned, for any business and areas of business. In the areas of jurisprudence and investigations those were as varied as the areas of investigations – from criminal defense and civil litigation, to individual locates and backgrounds, and even surveillance to due diligence. What we did know was Experience is Prepared. Being able to adapt quickly and seamlessly for clients was important.
 
Experience
Having started at a time when advanced technology was an answering machine and a beeper, and office equipment was a word processor and fax machine – and knowing where to find what the client needed was important. The resources so very common today – online records from state and local governments, and private resources aggregating records – did not exist. We had to know who to call and where to send requests, by mail, and receive them in a timely manner. Providing uninterrupted services to clients – or at least uninterrupted on our end, and navigating interruptions on the other, is why clients turn to us. A new sense of ‘patience’ was re-learned, as was using the phone and mail more. We fielded calls from other investigators in this business less than 10 years who were literally lost on what to do. Some of our clients asked if we would still be able to handle the task – absolutely!
 
Although patience was needed as many things were slower, those are almost to normal – and we are always prepared with the experience of boots on the ground and technology. It will take more than an inconvenience to disrupt the important work we do for our clients.
 
Prepared
As most civil cases are held over to 2021, and anything not of time-sensitive necessity in criminal cases was on hold, what could be done? Prepare! This is the first step in our Practical Methods for Legal Investigations. Nothing else happens if we are not prepared. Witness interviews are still conducted – and reaching witnesses has never been easier, and will be for the upcoming future. Depositions can be prepared for. Witnesses can be located, and background investigations completed. Negotiations for pleas and settlements can enhanced with pre-litigations investigations.
 
Now is the time to find witnesses, find assets & liabilities, and build up case dossiers which will have impact in the beginning of 2021 when negotiations, filings, hearings, and trials begin anew.
 
Together We’re Better
With a personal network of over 2,000 known investigators nationwide, hundreds internationally – and many more through state, national and international associations instantly available – we have continued to help clients and colleagues find assistance at any time where needed – even if it is not us directly. The ability to work with clients and meet their needs without interruption or delay has always been our goal.
 
Being prepared to do so, and with the education, training and experience our clients and colleagues have expected and received for over 30 years is rewarding. Being part of the support of a large network of thousands will always be who we are.
 
 
To our clients and colleagues – we wish each of you and your families the best as we begin to put 2020 behind us and look to 2021. Now is the time to prepare and we have the experience to work with you in making 2021 successful for you and your clients.
 


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Private Investigators and Records Access Under Attack

10/4/2020

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Private Investigators and Records Access Under Attack
In August and September members of the National Council of Investigation & Security Services (NCISS – www.nciss.org/join-nciss) were alerted to disturbing articles attacking private investigators and access to public records, for legal and ethical purposes in litigation – particularly state driving records. These are resurfaced from similar stories just before major state and national elections in 2016 and 2018.
 

Headline #1 - Arizona DMV Sells Drivers' Photos and SSNs to Private Investigators
Headline #2 - The Loophole the DMV Uses to Sell Your Data to Private Investigators
Headline #3 - California DMV Is Selling Drivers' Data to Private Investigators
(previously Vermont in 2019, and in both 2016 and 2019 California with similar headlines and sources)
 
The NCISS Legislative Committee has responded to this false and intentionally misleading statements, and is monitoring legislative and regulatory activity with state associations and in Congress and federal regulatory agencies.
 
These and past articles variously describe investigators as acting in nefarious manners. This is overwhelming false. Yes, every profession has its low percentage of bad actors. private investigators provide critical and essential services in civil, criminal, probate, domestic relations, and administrative law proceedings. This through work product, testimony of work product and even as expert witnesses. This type of work ranges from insurance fraud, identity theft cases, frauds and abuses on private parties to include elder fraud, missing persons, sex trafficking cases, and criminal defense that even involve death penalty mitigations and exonerations of the wrongfully accused. The following examples are key areas private investigators provide research and critical information and analysis which benefits to their clients – from the general public to businesses and government agencies – most often directly in the judicial process:
  • A crime, wrongful act, or threat against the United States or any State or Territory of the United States;
  • The identity, reputation, character, habits, conduct, business occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movements, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, or transactions of a person, group of persons, or organization;
  • The credibility of witnesses or other persons;
  • The whereabouts of missing persons;
  • The determination of the owners of abandoned property;
  • The causes and origin of, or responsibility for, libel, slander, a loss, an accident, damage, or an injury to a person or to real or personal property;
  • The business of securing evidence to be used before an investigatory committee, board of award or arbitration, administrative body, or officer or in the preparation for or in a civil or criminal trial;
  • The business of locating persons who have become delinquent in their lawful debts, when the private investigator locating the debtor is hired by an individual or collection agency;
  • The location or recovery of lost or stolen property;
  • The affiliation, connection, or relationship of any person, firm, or corporation with any organization, society, or association or with any official, representative, or member of an organization, society, or association;
  • The conduct, honesty, efficiency, loyalty, or activities of employees, persons seeking employment, agents, contractors, or subcontractors; or
  • The identity of persons suspected of crimes or misdemeanors.
 
Without the the private investigator, the judicial system would – the rights of plaintiffs and defendants – would stop.
The private investigator’s access and use of all information is screened by two required factors: 1) the requestor must be an authorized entity (i.e. private investigator, law enforcement, collection agency; and 2) a legitimate and approved purpose (i.e. litigation, employment background, judgment collection). These protected records are not readily available and all users and uses are vetted, audited and tracked.
 
Together with our clients, colleagues, state and national associations – including the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC – www.ppiac.org) and the National Council of Investigation & Security Services (NCISS – www.nciss.org/join-nciss), we will work together to assure professional private investigators meet the high standards expected and are able to provide the level of work-product clients expect and need.

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Protecting Our Profession and Clients in Colorado’s Unlicensed Environment

9/6/2020

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Protecting Our Profession and Clients in Colorado’s Unlicensed Environment

Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is still taking PI license money for a non-existent program – a program they pushed to repeal, directly lobbied the governor to veto – which he did.


Due to the 07/11/2020 veto of Colorado’s governor of the bill to continue the private investigator licensing program, and consumer protections, we are back to an unlicensed environment. The only purpose of licensing in Colorado – of all programs – is consumer protection. Having been in the unlicensed environment since before staring our agency in 1987, we will adapt. Of importance is adapting for our clients. Based on the experience of the licensing programs in Colorado since 2012, we are adapting a commonsense approach to continuing with these standards of practice and protocols in our policies and procedures, as well as ethics. There is nothing new to our approach – are simply continuing on what we have done, or expanded with, for over 30 years. We suggest your agency make similar adaptations, and we also suggest our clients – and yours – look for these in their investigators.
 
No licensing in Colorado – now what?
The issuance of a license does not provide any assurance to a client of the experience and services of the investigator. The basics have always been simple – 1) Licensed in the state or jurisdiction in which you are operating (if applicable); 2) Have a permitted or otherwise lawful purpose; 3) Your activity must be lawful; and 4) Your activity must be ethical.
 
All investigators should have a CV or background information for clients. We also recommend obtaining a license in a contiguous jurisdiction – UT, AZ, NM, KS or Cheyenne WY to demonstrate a clear FBI fingerprint background. There are other benefits, most specific to those jurisdictions; however, the first purpose is to show no prohibitive criminal background.
 
In addition, we recommend having both a surety bond – to protect the client, and liability insurance coverage – to protect yourself. This provides additional assurance to the client. Additional insurances may be necessary – such as if you carry a firearm and/or provided any protective and security services, workers’ compensation coverage, commercial vehicle, and other protections.
 
We further recommend, for both client and agency protection, your agency should have published ethics, policies and procedures, and have the following minimum standards made available to clients:
- Confidentiality in work-product and communications, and other standards of practice.
- Contract with disclosure of services, fee, and verbal or written report upon completion.
- Avoid any conflicts of interest.
- Detailed and secure recordkeeping.
- Truthfulness in advertising education, training, experience, and services.
 
What can a PI, not working for an attorney, do an attorney’s agent cannot?
This is an important question, and concern, in an unlicensed environment. When an investigator is retained by an attorney, they become the attorney’s agent and must comply with all rules and doctrines (i.e. work-product confidentiality and confidential communications), as well as state and American Bar Association ethics. Failing to do so may have serious case consequences, and in an unlicensed environment place the responsibility and any consequences on the attorney. However, every investigator has a duty to treat every case with the parameters as working with an attorney.
 
There are several areas in which investigators not working for an attorney, and instead for a private individual or business, are not legally restrained – and may be very problematic for attorneys representing an opposing party. Our agency is aware of these and has long regularly advised clients on what to look for to challenge the activities of an opposing party’s investigator. These include:
- There is (generally) no legal or ethical restriction in exploiting social media – such as having a social media friend contact to obtain otherwise private posts and information (this is unethical for attorneys and their agents).
- If a drone is used – was the pilot licensed by the FAA and received any necessary authorizations?
- Did the investigator contact a represented party (this is unethical for attorneys and their agents)?
- Did the investigator record any conversations without disclosure (this is unethical for attorneys and their agents)?
- Was the investigator previously licensed in Colorado?
- Did the investigator have any complaints or disciplinary actions while previously licensed in Colorado?
 
These activities may be potentially damaging if there are any questionable tactics used. However, there is no longer any reporting or disciplinary action to Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies. These may have legal recourses – most often law enforcement will deem them ‘civil’, and taking legal action may not be available in a time-sensitive case the attorney is litigating for their client. There are alternatives, which we are glad to discuss with you. We can also assist with conducting a detailed background of the investigator.
 
Why is this very bad?
Except in equivocal death consultations for families, our agency strictly works only with attorneys in representation of their clients. We receive numerous inquiries from private individuals requesting our services, sometimes at the suggestion of their attorneys; however, we require an attorney-investigator relationship, agreement, and payments. This is primarily to protect attorney work-product, and also client confidentiality. Overall, it is to protect the attorney and the client.
 
If the investigator is retained by attorney, and acting as their agent, any disciplinary complaints and actions fall directly to the attorney – no longer is the investigator responsible with no licensing program, oversight, and consumer protection in Colorado. The purpose of this article is to make attorneys, clients, and investigators aware of assuring legal and ethical practices.
 
The bottom line – case integrity and outcome, and reputation of the attorney and investigator are dependent on the actions of the investigator. This has always been true – consumers are more vulnerable now.
 
How can our agency help and what do we recommend?
We strongly recommend every investigator be prepared to answer these questions of themselves, every attorney and consumer ask these questions of their consumer, and have these independently verified. Our agency can help with these:
- Is the investigator’s claim of being previously licensed in Colorado true? Were there any complaints?
- Are the investigator’s certifications valid? Are the certifications current and professionally recognized? What do they mean?
- Is the investigator licensed in another jurisdiction? Is the license current? Are there any complaints?
- Is the investigator individually and/or agency bonded and/or insured?
- Is the investigator a member of a recognized association? What are the vetting criteria?
 
How can having this information help? Every attorney can be more prepared in responses to complaints, interrogatories, motions, etc., and be more prepared for the investigator’s testimony (depositions, hearings, trial). What vulnerabilities are there to the investigator’s report and activities reported? Any activity which is illegal, unethical, or outside of professional standards of practice should be challenged.
 
Our agency has been involved in licensing efforts and legislative consumer protection for over a decade. We were licensed from the beginning in 2012 (voluntary) and again in 2015 (mandatory), and also in Cheyenne WY, where we remain licensed. We have also been continuously bonded and insured. We have developed agency ethics and standards of practice to assure our clients have the confidence and trust they expect. We have also authored and taught ethics and standards, including assisted DORA as a stakeholder in their ethics and standards development for the licensing programs (including on the PPIAC Legislative Committee as stakeholders), and are members and serve on committees and/or boards of recognized state, national, and international associations.


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Commitment to Client and Consumer Confidence

8/2/2020

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Clients and Consumers BEWARE!
Colorado now one of only 5 states that DO NOT require a PI to be licensed!

On Saturday 07/11/2020, without informing any stakeholders or bill sponsors, the governor vetoed HB20-1207. This effectively ends PI licensing in Colorado as of 08/31/2020. More importantly - it ends important and effective consumer protections for Coloradoans.
"Governor Polis with the swipe of a pen repealed licensing in Colorado Saturday, July 11, 2020. Background checks, surety bonds and demonstrating a knowledge of the laws are no longer in place to protect the public, consumer and subjects of investigations. To make sure your investigator has been properly vetted it is more important than ever to choose an investigator that is a member of a state or national association."
- PPIAC https://ppiac.org/colorado-private-investigator-news/9096684
Learn about recommended associations at www.DeathCaseReview.com/associations
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Why Was HB20-1207 - Continuing the Private Investigator Licensure Act - Vetoed?
Please visit www.DeathCaseReview.com/hb20-1207 for these important and complete details. We have also included a link to a training video, intended for Colorado licensure, which details the losses to the public. We recommend all Colorado Professional Investigators - new and veteran - follow the guidance in this video for the standards of practice and ethics.

First, we Thank YOU - our clients and colleagues - for the overwhelming support from when we started working with DORA (so we thought) in the sunset review process about this time last year, and right up until it was vetoed. Many sent letters to DORA, the legislature, and the governor's office. We appreciate the time you took to support our profession and consumer protections in Colorado!

Most important, we want to assure our clients this will have no change or impact to our client-investigator relationships, how we conduct business and investigations, or our agency standards of practices and ethics. Prior to licensing in Colorado (2012 and mandatory from 2015 to present), we developed standards of practices and ethics and shared these with Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies for the licensing program (together with extensive input from the Legislative Committee of the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado – PPIAC). We further adapted additional requirements from DORAs Rules and Regulations. These will continue to be in place for our clients and consumers. As part of our standards of practices and ethics, these include:
  • Contracts
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Confidentiality
  • Recordkeeping
  • Truthful representation
  • Business standards and compliance with laws
  • Ethics
Unfortunately, any grounds for license denial, review, or discipline for bad acts disappears after 08/31/2020. What were some of these? If any Colorado Private Investigator (licensed or not):
  • Violated or attempted to violate any licensing provision or rule;
  • Committed fraud, deceit, or misrepresented securing a license;
  • Committed any felony or aggravated misdemeanor offense, was convicted or a guilty plea or nolo contendere;
  • Was disciplined by another jurisdiction (includes other states denied licensure); or
  • Any act or omission which violates generally accepted standards and ethics.

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Click Here
for our Press Release of 07/14/2020
Colorado Governor Vetoes Consumer Protections


You have Our Commitment to Client and Consumer Confidence!
As part of this process for consumer protections in Colorado, and as part of the PPIAC Legislative Committee for over a decade, we are proud of the accomplishments and honored to have been a strong and positive influence in our profession, for our clients, and for consumers. We are disappointed in the veto and the consequences. We remain committed and steadfast in the highest standards to our clients, consumers, and our profession.

Let us analyze this, briefly, below. These losses to the public are detailed in a training video intended for Colorado licensure. We recommend all Colorado PIs - new and veteran - follow the guidance in this video for the standards of practice and ethics developed by DORA for the now ended licensing program. If you need a copy, please visit the DORA website or contact our agency. In addition, we recommend a comprehensive ethics as part of your practices. Our ethics are at www.DeathCaseReview.com/ethics

This is training video available FREE in August only!
http://co-pi-licensing.InvestigativeCourses.com.
1. "Rarely protect the public from harm" - because it worked bringing in 1,000 licensed PIs who followed codified standards of practice and ethics.
2. "Served incumbent license-holders as a barrier to entry for new competition including many retired officers of the peace." - this is a tired argument that retired or former law enforcement can't afford the license and bond fees (under $250 annually). Moreover, this does not benefit PIs - it benefits and protects the public... no one else.
3. "Licensure does not require any continuing education or real test of competency, instead requiring passage of an “open-book” jurisprudence exam." - attempts at continuing education were rejected every session and committee in the original licensure bill of 2014 and was not requested in this bill... in part, also because the governor said he would veto a requirement of continuing education. Finally,
4. "This regulation does place an undue burden on new entrants into the occupation and causes needless bureaucracy as well as the cost to the State and Coloradans." - the video, and information below - and much more provided to DORA and the governor - demonstrate there is essentially no burden to entry, the program was designed, under existing state law, to do so. Moreover, the statement of cost to Coloradoans is not founded in fact; all DORA regulated programs are fully funded by the licensees and cannot use any taxpayer funds.
5. "We are open to working with the General Assembly ... next session on legislation ... to pass a criminal background check and potentially retain some level of insurance or bond. These statutory requirements would not require full licensure to implement." - First, "We" are not open to registration for the simple reason it provides no consumer protection. Most important - this proposal has only two stated requirements, which existed in the current licensing program - pass a background check, and a bond. No test of jurisprudence knowledge (regardless of open book or not), no professional standards, no professional ethics, no consumer protection or recourse if harmed, and no discipline to any PIs and bad acts through regulatory oversight. No continuing education he said should exist. This was a personal political agenda veto. Not in the interest of Coloradoans.

When would this new 'registration' take place (if at all - highly doubtful)?
At the earliest, if passed in the 2021 session would be June of 2022... 22 months of no consumer protection - with a collective 75% supporting bi-partisan votes in the House and Senate committees and floor to protect Colorado's consumers.

This veto does not harm PIs. This veto harms Coloradoans - clients and consumers.
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Believe the Totality of the Evidence

7/5/2020

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Believe the Totality of the Evidence
 
The process of investigation is vital to the rights of the individuals - both defendants and victims; in civil and criminal cases - and our justice system. In the investigations of death, it can have additional impacts – from civil and criminal, to insurance benefits and closure to families.
 
The evidence is not wrong. The interpretation, application of circumstances, and looking at evidence only individually instead of the totality of the evidence and circumstances can be wrong.
 
If the findings are wrong...
- someone may be wrongfully convicted; or
- someone may get away with a crime; or
- family may lose benefits; or
- family may be misinformed, lingering questions, and no closure.
 
It is not a matter of erring on the side of caution, it is a matter of the evidence and the story it tells and supports.
 
At times, answering the question of what scenario happened is unanswered. However, answering the question of what did or did not happen - was it homicide, suicide... or accident - is answered. In doing so, the answer of criminal charges, insurance benefits, or other outcome is.
 
“Not engage in incompetent practice or outside acceptable practices and standards of the industry.” - Private Investigator Licensing, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Standards of Practice.
 
We receive multiple inquiries on questioned deaths – from PIs, attorneys, and families. We welcome these, it is our passion to help families. Unfortunately with most, the PI has done a 'full work-up' of the case and an attorney is ready to file a wrongful death action based on the family's belief of homicide and then wants us to prove it. That's putting the cart before the horse.
 
First it needs to be determined what did and did not happen - was it suicide, accident, or homicide - we have found all of these in our questioned deaths. Most often there is some information and evidence – when looked at individually – which supports the questions and concerns of the family. If this is looked at with the untrained and inexperienced eyes, it may be an incorrect conclusion. We have found the same with law enforcement and coroner investigations – less frequently in comparison to families and inexperienced PIs. Once a family’s questions are said to be factual there is no changing course to them. We have been there and it is very damaging to them. For example, telling a family or client – at any time – “this is clearly a murder and we will prove it for you” does happen too often and should never be done. Instead, we tell the family, “We understand the concerns you have, but cannot offer anything further until we look at all of the records, reports, and photographs available to us. Even then, if they are incomplete our findings may also be. We will do the best we can to answer your questions honestly based on the facts and evidence. Please understand there are four possible findings, and we cannot know until your review concluded:
1) The official investigation was competent, with the official findings consistent with the facts and evidence; or
2) The official investigation was not competent, with the official findings consistent with the facts and evidence; or
3) The official investigation was competent, with the official findings not consistent with the facts and evidence; or
4) The official investigation was not competent, with the official findings not consistent with the facts and evidence.”
 
When retained by a PI or attorney, we tell them the same. These are in the order most often seen. The client comes to us – and you – because they are looking at #4. This is most often not our findings.
 
Why does this happen? Most often the family and PI are focused on the circumstantial drama – family relationships, personalities, unusual behavior, anger and grief. For example, we often hear of abuse and neglect or even affairs and acting strange. These may be valid concerns. Imagine if a person were arrested, charged, tried and convicted based on these circumstances? It has happened – a bit simplified, but it has and does. The damage and harm is to more than the defendant. Our only purposes is to review and analyze the facts and evidence independently and with no bias or desired outcome.
 
Then we can make recommendations to the family, PI and attorney as to the next stage of the investigation - the boots on the ground field work. It can be a big hardship on the family to have them convinced of homicide and the evidence doesn't support it - and they will live with the unanswered grief the rest of their lives. This hardship is financial and emotional. We have had families, attorneys, and PIs come to us with how much they have spent and are now ready for our expertise. This is often $2,000 to $10,000 (more than our base fee to families), only for us to tell them their findings or legal strategy are without fact and evidentiary basis. This has happened to such a degree, we now have law enforcement and prosecutor offices coming to us to independently review their cases as expert consults and to tell them which of the four possibilities their cases fall.
 
We strive to do the best we can for our clients, colleagues and profession. We are passionate about helping families. Our first recommendation for any investigation is to follow a simple process – from intake to investigation to conclusion:
- Prepare
- Inquire
- Analyze
- Document
- Report
(see the PI Magazine article – ‘A Look Into the Practical Methods for Legal Investigations’ at www.DeathCaseReview.com/uploads/8/7/3/8/8738199/beers_-_pmli_pi_mag_082014.pdf
 
Doing so provides for the Passionate Search for the Facts, and as legal investigators, this is our only true purpose. This includes extenuating, aggravating, mitigating, objective, and subjective information. Anything that supports or refutes any or all of the components of the death, or serious bodily injury, investigation is evidence. Legal  investigators  have  professional obligations to themselves and all clients to be: 1) Informed, become informed, and to inform; 2) Unbiased and open minded; 3) Conscientious of their fiduciary responsibility; 4) Honest and ethical; and 5) Unrelenting in their search for the facts.

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Lessons from Lockdown

6/1/2020

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Since mid-March we have all experienced an unprecedented event in our nation’s – our world’s – history: home isolation and closed businesses. The personal affects of emotional, physical, and mental health will begin to manifest themselves, and have been both trying and overwhelming for all. The impacts to our communities have been significant. The impact to our economies – personal, business, local, state and national – devastating.
 
In April and May we provided important resources to adapt, and survive, this event. We revisit and summarize those at the end of this commentary.
 
Like a Phoenix, we can all recover personally and, in our communities, states and nation. A forest fire results in new and stronger growth. In America, it is who we are and it is how our Nation was born. So, what have be begun to learn from this experience?
  - Freedom is important – the freedom to work and play is part of us.
  - Family is important – many of us have spent more time with our families than ever before.
  - We adapt and overcome.
 
These are just a few simple things which come to mind. As a home-based agency, our break is to get out – whether with family, a business trip, errands, or a relaxing night out. As a technology-based business, and with frequent travel, our business adaptations were already in place. All of our business trips were canceled to date, and the rest of the year is unknown. We didn’t give up our family time, and increased it both out of necessity – grandkids were home with no school and when their parents worked or returned; and we increased our parent checks to more frequent phone calls and personal visits. As clients and colleagues, including associations we are active with, transitioned to remote meetings, we found ourselves even more involved. We adapted to overcome any obstacles and forge new opportunities. We did so with family and friends, and also clients and colleagues.
 
Every adaption in business soon adapted to personal use. As kids learned to attend school remotely, and businesses have meetings remotely, so to did families adapt to use virtual meeting applications for personal time. What are some of the ways we adapted, and expanded our abilities?
 
As much as we have adapted, nothing replaces personal connections. These personal connections are with family and friends, and also clients and colleagues. We will continue to forge and grow these personal relationships.
 
During this time we must recognize our state, national, and international associations – most with overlapping membership and leadership – who came together to share and create resources for members and our profession. From tips on transitioning to remote business practices, to financial resources, and extended webinars and training opportunities. We saw the daily work each association did behind the scenes – all volunteer – to keep us all in business. I strongly encourage you to visit www.privateinvestigations.org/associations to learn more about being involved, as each association has found a new mission and value in members; and members have found new value in their associations.
 
We extend our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of our family, friends, clients, and colleagues for checking on each other, working together. Our clients stayed in touch, sometimes just to check-in, and other times for assignments. We all adapted as we continued to provide the services needed and expected.
 
Finally, a special thanks to our families. It is through them we have all found renewed strength in being closer together. This includes right here, for us.
 
Be Safe. Be Healthy. Together We’re Better!
 
Standard Business Continuity and Practices
For over 30 years we have been committed to assuring your firm has the expertise and resources need to best represent your clients. Since 1996 our agency has developed redundant continuity as standard business practice to be more available and responsive to our clients. This has included data resources, communications, power and supplies, and remote capabilities. Our clients and colleagues have had no disruption or delays in the services we provide.
 
Distance Working and Learning Resources
Learn how we efficiently multi-task and maintain our daily activities for clients using these tools. Visit this article on our blog at www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/time-is-money-multi-tasking-is-time-recovered!
- DropBox - http://DropBox.PrivateInvestigations.org
  or OneDrive - http://OneDrive.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Right Inbox for Gmail - www.RightInBox.com
- Desktop Texting - www.MySMS.com
- Ring Central Faxing - http://Fax.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Ring Central VOIP - http://RingCentral.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Toll-Free Numbers - http://Kall8.PrivateInvestigations.org (PIs - contact our office for more uses)
- ​Split View - www.SplitView.com
 
During the last several weeks we have shared a list of distance learning available (also at www.InvestigativeCourses.com). These continue to be available, and beginning this month we will begin offering on-demand training modules. These will cover topics from our over 30 years of experience, adapted from speaking engagements, books, and articles we have published over the years. These will be for attorneys, investigators, and consultants in basic, intermediate and advanced levels. These will be priced based on length, skill level, and subject matter, and as low as $25. Look for a special announcement soon!
 
We also shared several exceptional distance learning resources, some free:
  • PI Education www.PIeducation.com
A large selection of courses, approved in multiple states, at reasonable cost and convenience.
All courses - Coupon Code: FriendsofDean for 10% off (expires 06-30-2020)
  • Investigator Ethics for the PI, Consumer and Client www.udemy.com/investigator-attorney-ethics-for-the-consumer
Offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC informs the student of ethics which must be followed.
  • Basics of Skip Tracing, Backgrounds & Assets Investigations www.udemy.com/skip-tracing-backgrounds-assets-investigations-101
Offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC introduces fundamentals of individual locates, background, and asset & liabilities investigations.
  • Basic Forensic Scene Photography www.udemy.com/basic-forensic-scene-photography
Offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC covers the equipment and selection, processes and protocols, and legal considerations of investigative photography.
  • Equivocal Death Investigations https://pieducation.com/product/equivocal-death-investigations
Offered by PI Education and presented by AFI-LLC provides a basic introduction into the concepts of the official investigation of death, and adapted to serious bodily injuries.
  • Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council www.defenseinvestigator.com/distancelearning.html
Offering discounted distance learning during this time, and newly developed a virtual training programs.
  • The PI Institute www.PIinstitute.com
A large selection of courses, approved in multiple states, at reasonable cost and convenience.
  • The Hetherington Group (HG) www.hetheringtongroup.com/training/webinars
Updated their OSINT webinar content into packages.
  • S2 Distance Learning Portal http://afi.s2institute.com
Offered by Associates in Forensic Investigations in partnership with the S2 Safety & Intelligence Institute. These courses are specifically developed for distance learning for the professional investigator.
  • NW3C www.nw3c.org/webinars#OnDemand
Primarily for law enforcement and regulatory agencies, these training modules are useful in private investigations.
  • National Institute of Justice On-demand https://nij.ojp.gov/events/on-demand
Includes online, self-paced training, and recordings of past events.
  • National Association for Public Defense www.publicdefenders.us/calendar_list.asp
Weekly training and information webinars primarily for attorneys and investigators working criminal defense cases.
 
Read April’s commentary at www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/overcoming-covid-19-and-business-continuation
 
Returning to Office and Field Services: Tips for Safer Interactions
Be sure and check with your state and local requirements, and consult legal advice as may be necessary. The following is not legal advice.
 
We suggest having a HIPAA and state health department compliant form for all personal interactions with clients and the public (witnesses, etc.). In addition to compliance, there are two additional considerations: 1) liability insurance may require compliance and additional guidelines; and 2) if there is any exposure this will assist with state and CDC contact tracing programs. Any compliance forms should be signed and dated by all parties. These forms should be copied to the case file, and a compliance folder for the agency.
 
Read last month’s commentary at www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/returning-to-office-and-field-services-tips-for-safer-interactions


Be Safe. Be Healthy. Together We’re Better!
Standard Business Continuity and Practices
For over 30 years we have been committed to assuring your firm has the expertise and resources need to best represent your clients. Since 1996 our agency has developed redundant continuity as standard business practice to be more available and responsive to our clients. This has included data resources, communications, power and supplies, and remote capabilities. Our clients and colleagues have had no disruption or delays in the services we provide.
 
Distance Working and Learning Resources
Learn how we efficiently multi-task and maintain our daily activities for clients using these tools. Visit this article on our blog at www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/time-is-money-multi-tasking-is-time-recovered!
- DropBox - http://DropBox.PrivateInvestigations.org
  or OneDrive - http://OneDrive.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Right Inbox for Gmail - www.RightInBox.com
- Desktop Texting - www.MySMS.com
- Ring Central Faxing - http://Fax.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Ring Central VOIP - http://RingCentral.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Toll-Free Numbers - http://Kall8.PrivateInvestigations.org (PIs - contact our office for more uses)
- ​Split View - www.SplitView.com
 
During the last several weeks we have shared a list of distance learning available (also at www.InvestigativeCourses.com). These continue to be available, and beginning this month we will begin offering on-demand training modules. These will cover topics from our over 30 years of experience, adapted from speaking engagements, books, and articles we have published over the years. These will be for attorneys, investigators, and consultants in basic, intermediate and advanced levels. These will be priced based on length, skill level, and subject matter, and as low as $25. Look for a special announcement soon!
 
We also shared several exceptional distance learning resources, some free:
  • PI Education www.PIeducation.com
A large selection of courses, approved in multiple states, at reasonable cost and convenience.
All courses - Coupon Code: FriendsofDean for 10% off (expires 06-30-2020)
  • Investigator Ethics for the PI, Consumer and Client www.udemy.com/investigator-attorney-ethics-for-the-consumer
Offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC informs the student of ethics which must be followed.
  • Basics of Skip Tracing, Backgrounds & Assets Investigations www.udemy.com/skip-tracing-backgrounds-assets-investigations-101
Offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC introduces fundamentals of individual locates, background, and asset & liabilities investigations.
  • Basic Forensic Scene Photography www.udemy.com/basic-forensic-scene-photography
Offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC covers the equipment and selection, processes and protocols, and legal considerations of investigative photography.
  • Equivocal Death Investigations https://pieducation.com/product/equivocal-death-investigations
Offered by PI Education and presented by AFI-LLC provides a basic introduction into the concepts of the official investigation of death, and adapted to serious bodily injuries.
  • Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council www.defenseinvestigator.com/distancelearning.html
Offering discounted distance learning during this time, and newly developed a virtual training programs.
  • The PI Institute www.PIinstitute.com
A large selection of courses, approved in multiple states, at reasonable cost and convenience.
  • The Hetherington Group (HG) www.hetheringtongroup.com/training/webinars
Updated their OSINT webinar content into packages.
  • S2 Distance Learning Portal http://afi.s2institute.com
Offered by Associates in Forensic Investigations in partnership with the S2 Safety & Intelligence Institute. These courses are specifically developed for distance learning for the professional investigator.
  • NW3C www.nw3c.org/webinars#OnDemand
Primarily for law enforcement and regulatory agencies, these training modules are useful in private investigations.
  • National Institute of Justice On-demand https://nij.ojp.gov/events/on-demand
Includes online, self-paced training, and recordings of past events.
  • National Association for Public Defense www.publicdefenders.us/calendar_list.asp
Weekly training and information webinars primarily for attorneys and investigators working criminal defense cases.
 
Read April’s commentary at www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/overcoming-covid-19-and-business-continuation
 
Returning to Office and Field Services: Tips for Safer Interactions
Be sure and check with your state and local requirements, and consult legal advice as may be necessary. The following is not legal advice.
 
We suggest having a HIPAA and state health department compliant form for all personal interactions with clients and the public (witnesses, etc.). In addition to compliance, there are two additional considerations: 1) liability insurance may require compliance and additional guidelines; and 2) if there is any exposure this will assist with state and CDC contact tracing programs. Any compliance forms should be signed and dated by all parties. These forms should be copied to the case file, and a compliance folder for the agency.
 
Read last month’s commentary at www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/returning-to-office-and-field-services-tips-for-safer-interactions

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Returning to Office and Field Services: Tips for Safer Interactions

5/3/2020

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Being active on our state association legislative committee, PPIAC, there have been many discussions about this crisis and impact on members. This comes from also navigating a bill to renew Colorado’s PI licensing program for another five years. Professional investigators have always worked from home, in office spaces, and in the field – our profession is complex and far reaching. We watch for regulations and legislation which may impact our profession – for better, or for worse. This new crisis is a totally different issue, however, dealing with it is the same.
 
In early March, after a state of emergency was declared, Colorado’s legislature adjourned about half-way into the session. With phases of Safe From Home in place, Colorado’s legislature is scheduled to reconvene 05/18/2020 and finish the legislative session. During this crisis the licensing agency, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) classified Private Investigators as ‘non-critical’ or ‘non-essential’ and with the most restricted travel and business mandates.

The state health department (CDPHE) had some flexibility. Believing DORA did not have the authority to supersede CDPHE, the PPIAC Legislative Committee (of which Dean is a member) immediately went to work under the leadership of Robert Orozco (Chair) and sent a letter to DORA. As of 04/30/2020 DORA no longer included PIs under any classification of restricted business activities. At the same time, as Colorado transitioned to the Safer at Home phase, members of the committee were discussing steps to make sure members / PIs, clients, and the public we interacted with would have safe practices recommendations. We learned, through our re-classification efforts, CDPHE re-classified PIs with guidelines for Office and Field Services. This is an important win by PPIAC for all Colorado PIs. Our agency has drafted a policy for compliance with new CDPHE guidelines. We hope the following, from the CDPHE required of all Colorado PIs, may assist you. Be sure and check with your state and local requirements, and consult legal advice as may be necessary. The following is not legal advice.
 
We suggest having a HIPAA and state health department compliant form for all personal interactions with clients and the public (witnesses, etc.). In addition to compliance, there are two additional considerations: 1) liability insurance may require compliance and additional guidelines; and 2) if there is any exposure this will assist with state and CDC contact tracing programs. Any compliance forms should be signed and dated by all parties. These forms should be copied to the case file, and a compliance folder for the agency.
 
Effective 04/30/2020
https://covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home/safer-at-home-office-based-business
https://covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home/safer-at-home-field-services-and-real-estate
 
This policy is effective for all assignments and interactions involving personal contact. This is in compliance with current Colorado Department of Health & Environment (CDPHE), and Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies / Private Investigators (DORA). Local county and city orders may supersede these and will be applicable as noted.
 
For each in-office or field personal contact, the following should be documented by the investigator and other person(s).
- Are you, or have you recently been, symptomatic or in contact with known positive cases?
- Adhere to all general rules or guidance on social gathering limitations when working in the field, or person’s business or home.
- This in-person meeting was of no more than 10 people. (initials of person requesting in-person meeting)
- Maintained a 6-foot distance from between persons.
- Gloves and face coverings or masks were offered for any personal interactions.
- Any provided PPE was properly collected or disposed of.

This should be signed and dated, with location noted, by all persons.
 
 Reminder - Be sure and check with your state and local requirements, and consult legal advice as may be necessary. The following is not legal advice.

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Overcoming COVID-19 and Business Continuation

4/5/2020

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Overcoming COVID-19 and Business Continuation
First, we hope you and your families, friends, and co-workers are doing well in physical and mental health, as well as financially. This virus event is considered a 'pandemic outbreak' (new strain, and global). These terms sound alarming – and thus begins physical, mental, and emotional distress in many.
 
Distance Learning Resources from AFI-LLC
We links of distance learning available (also at www.InvestigativeCourses.com) - some were published in this issue of the NCISS Your Advocate at www.nciss.org/your-advocate-april-2020 (which also has some helpful information for members on COVID-19 resources. Some may not have time for webinars, and we have articles previously published available to PIs - email us associates@deathcasereview.com for the confidential link.
 
Special Information and Resources for the Corona Virus
We have also published all state of emergency resources we have found at www.PrivateInvestigations.org/corona-virus-resources.
  • What is the COVID-19?
  • Who is at risk?
  • What are the precautions?
  • As a small business owner, what can I do? 
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act
  • What can I do for my family, friends, co-workers and neighbors?
  • What resources are available for those at risk in mental health?
 
As family, friends, neighbors and business partners – we are concerned about you. If we can help in any way, please contact us and we will do our best to find the help and resources needed. Also, support your community and businesses. The potential future financial impact is unknown, and will be significant. It is important to now be part of your community.

Business Continuity and Networking – Yesterday, Today, and the Future!
Your agency and firm should be prepared for technical and environmental contingencies. The current state of emergency has left households and businesses uncertain. The following will help you adapt to a more streamlined business process, and adapted as part of your business continuity plan. Since 1987, our agency has grown and adapted to clients, judicial practices, legal investigation practices, business practices, and technology.
 
1987 – There were no cell phones or emails. Payphones and courtesy phones were everywhere. Fax machines were becoming common. How did we start business and stay in touch with clients? We used an answering machine which would page a beeper after a message, the message was retrieved, and clients called back within 15-30 minutes. pages me for return calls. Not much later, a numeric pager was added in which clients could enter their office number and then a code indicating their need and urgency.
 
1995 – Cell phones and email were becoming popular, and the used of beepers and pagers ended; however, emails were mostly personal and not business use. We added a fax machine and then used technology to enhance our communications capabilities on a single phone line – call waiting, selective call answering (assigned its own phone numbers and would ring the fax machine, cell phone, business calls, and home calls). A colleague in England shared how to tether a cell phone to a laptop for wireless access of databases and email. This was so unique, the law enforcement did not yet have Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) and the local police department asked how we communicated in this way. Being the first agency in Colorado to offer this, our clients were pleased to have near instantaneous communications and answers.
 
In 1996 – just one year later, the first ability to add web-based fax sending and receiving was added (not via email). We were able to add this to our process serving – receiving pleadings with immediate urge needs to serve (with a mobile printer). We were able to forward our fax number to the web-based fax service and use the fax line as our data line for the online databases.
 
Jump to 2012 when we sold our home and traveled 27 states in our RV – and always making sure our clients were taken care of, and even improved. How did we do this? Learn more on these two blog articles, written during our travels.
  • www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/the-mobile-pi-tips-and-tricks-part-1
  • www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/the-mobile-pi-tips-and-tricks-2 
  • www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/the-mobile-pi-tips-and-tricks-part-3
 
This brings us to 2015 and today, as we were fully adapted to a 95% paperless office and also 95% cloud based with redundant data and communications backup. When the state of emergency was declared in Colorado and nationwide, we literally started work without any change to meeting our clients’ needs, and those of the associations and members we work with (Karen is also the Executive Director of NCISS and Administrative Manager of WAD – we were prepared and ready as a matter of our standard business practices. How did we do this?
 
Learn how we efficiently multi-task and maintain our daily activities for clients using these tools. Visit this article on our blog at www.DeathCaseReview.com/afi-llc-blog/time-is-money-multi-tasking-is-time-recovered!
- DropBox - http://DropBox.PrivateInvestigations.org
  or OneDrive - http://OneDrive.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Right Inbox for Gmail - www.RightInBox.com
- Desktop Texting - www.MySMS.com
- Ring Central Faxing - http://Fax.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Ring Central VOIP - http://RingCentral.PrivateInvestigations.org
- Toll-Free Numbers - http://Kall8.PrivateInvestigations.org (PIs - contact our office for more uses)
- ​Split View - www.SplitView.com

Part of daily activities and business continuity includes finding assistance outside of your area – location and specialties. Here are steps to take to find a vetted and reliable Professional Investigator:
1. Reach out to someone you professionally know and trust in the area or expertise.
2. Reach out to the state or specialty associations - join them.
3. Reach out to a national association - NCISS and NALI vet their membership to be in compliance with licensing and ethics - join them.
4. If international, reach out to WAD’s vetted membership - join them.
5. Vet your decisions, including through your associations network.
6. Don't throw your request for assistance out to unvetted groups in social media or generic listservs. Why trust your business and your client to the unknown?
 
Through our memberships we have a trusted network of thousands in almost every state and almost 100 countries. We have a very personal network of over 2000 PIs we personally know and trust.
 
Don't just join - be active! We are involved in every association we belong to - not just as members, but from committees to the board, and Karen is the Administrative Manager or Executive Director of two.

Here some of our memberships and recommendations, and members of these associations get preference for direct referrals - www.DeathCaseReview.com/Associations.
 
Special Distance Learning Opportunities
Due to the current state of emergency, all associations and training events have been canceled through June. The following are resources available for distance learning.

  • PI Education offers courses for continuing education requirements. We have arranged with www.PIeducation.com for discounts on the death investigation course we developed, and a general discount for all of their courses. Please use these discount codes:
https://pieducation.com/product/equivocal-death-investigations
Coupon Code: DeathInvestigator for 20% off this course (expires 04-30-2020)
 
All other courses - Coupon Code: FriendsofDean for 10% off (expires 06-30-2020)

  • The Hetherington Group (HG) has updated their OSINT webinar content into packages of core and advanced skill sets. These are now recorded sessions at your own pace and gain quality CEU's during quarantine. The packages offer 4 hours of continuous training. HG is offering a bonus 20-minute individual consultation for each participant.
www.hetheringtongroup.com/training/webinars

  • Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council is offering discounted distance learning during this time. Primarily for criminal defense investigators, al investigative disciplines are welcome.
www.defenseinvestigator.com/distancelearning.html

  • Investigator Ethics for the PI, Consumer and Client offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC informs the student - from consumer to attorney, and interested to veteran private investigator - there are ethics which must be followed and apply to both investigator/consumer and investigator/attorney relationships. Ethics serve both professional and consumer protection. Only facts obtained ethically can be evidence - facts without ethics is not evidence.
www.udemy.com/investigator-attorney-ethics-for-the-consumer

  • Basics of Skip Tracing, Backgrounds & Assets Investigations offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC is designed for the person interested in becoming an investigator, and the new to intermediate experienced investigators. All general investigations use these basic concepts - making this an excellent beginner course. In the course will be taught how to the student will also be able to improve and increase their results of successfully closed cases. The goal is to introduce strong fundamentals to understand and apply the basic investigative concepts for skip tracing, background and asset & liabilities investigations.
www.udemy.com/skip-tracing-backgrounds-assets-investigations-101

  • Basic Forensic Scene Photography offered by Udemy and presented by AFI-LLC is designed for the new and veteran private investigators, law enforcement, insurance adjusters and attorneys with an interest and need to document, or analyze, scenes and evidence using photography. This course covers the equipment and selection, processes and protocols, and legal considerations. This is important for any investigator conducting, or expert analyzing, photographs for litigation - forensic photography.
www.udemy.com/basic-forensic-scene-photography

  • Equivocal Death Investigations offered by PI Education and presented by AFI-LLC. This training course is designed to provide a basic introduction into the concepts of the official investigation of death, such as by a coroner or medical examiner office, and the role the private investigator may play in an equivocal death investigation. As might be expected, there are similar roles, overlapping roles and, of course, different roles and responsibilities.
https://pieducation.com/product/equivocal-death-investigations

  • S2 Distance Learning Portal is offered by Associates in Forensic Investigations in partnership with the S2 Safety & Intelligence Institute. These courses are specifically developed for distance learning.
http://afi.s2institute.com

  • NW3C provides a nationwide support system for law enforcement and regulatory agencies tasked with the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of economic and high-tech crime.
www.nw3c.org/webinars#OnDemand

  • National Institute of Justice On-demand events include online, self-paced training, and recordings of past events.
https://nij.ojp.gov/events/on-demand

  • National Association for Public Defense provides weekly training and information webinars primarily for attorneys and investigators working criminal defense cases.
www.publicdefenders.us/calendar_list.asp

When we learn of new schedules, we will include them on our agency Facebook page and in future agency newsletters!
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