Associates in Forensic Investigations - Death Experts
Contact us:
  • Home
  • Dismissed Homicide
  • Life Insurance Win
  • Survivor Benefits Win
  • Ethics
  • Standards

Investigating for Truth

1/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Investigating for Truth
Karen did a cryptogram in a recent newspaper and this was the quote...
"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting." - Buddha
 
We were both thinking how appropriate this is to investigations.
 
It is also, in essence, what our friends and colleagues in FL, Brandon Perron and Brad Perron teach for the CDITC Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI) in 'Uncovering Reasonable Doubt'; and also Bill Monroe in CA also teaches and expects this. Our clients expect this. Every professional investigator we network with expects this. It is also part of Dean's book and the Protocols to Legal Investigations and an investigator cannot simply 'conduct' an investigation - they must 'complete' the investigation.
 
This is one area in which we find mistakes are made in law enforcement and private part investigations – from civil and criminal, to domestic and probate cases. Of course, it all begins with starting and ends with completing, the investigation. The investigation does not end when elements or theories of allegations or proven or disproven. It ends when the process of uncovering evidence and the road to the truth ends.
 
Not Starting
This seems logical – to complete something you must first start something. However, time and again we are contacted to review case files – new, ready for trial, or post-conviction – and find this step didn’t happen. The breakdown in this step happens at various stages from the represented client, to the attorney, to the investigator.
 
As the attorney or attorney’s investigator it is important to communicate with the client’s responsible case manager to determine the tasks which have been completed, are pending for various reasons, are excluded for various reasons, and finding those overlooked. Checklists become very important no matter the experience. As professional investigators we have a duty to our clients and our liability to make sure any potential task is noted, a decision made in proceeding or not, and any findings.
 
Without checking off all potential, assigned or declined task, and any findings it is not possible to determine if the assignment is completed.
 
In Dean’s book this encompasses the first two steps in the Protocols to Legal Investigations – Prepare and Inquire. Every investigator in every case should be fully up to speed on the case and evidence when proceeding into any specific investigative tasks.
 
Not Going All the Way
There are many tasks within the assignment to complete before the legal investigation is completed. This may be a simple review of the adverse party’s civil disclosure, or the prosecutions criminal discovery, and to the routine tasks of witness interviews and records acquisition, all the way to the complex issues of evidence analysis and discovery.
 
Within the given time, budget, and resources – how far an investigation can be taken may be out of the investigator’s ultimate goal. It is our duty to be as complete and details as possible within these potential limitations.
 
Too often we see cases in which a decision was made, by the investigator or a case manager, to not seek additional resources, witnesses, evidence, etc. because there was thought to be no need. If the area is not explored the need and potential benefit cannot be realized.
 
In Dean’s book this specifically encompasses the third step – Analyze. Upon completion of every investigative task the investigator should review the case and evidence to determine if they are on the path to ‘Going All the Way’ and completing the task and ultimately the investigation.
 
Completing the Investigation
The Protocols to Legal Investigation are designed to assure each task in the investigative assignment is completed, and ultimately the investigation is completed. Of course this is within the constraints of time, budget, and resources – and should not be constrained by ability. The professional investigator’s ability is limited only by their knowledge, experience, continuing education, and professional networking. Each stage of Prepare, Inquire, Analyze, Document, and Report is designed for the investigator to meet these goals.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    We post News of Our Profession, Conferences & Training, Case Studies
    and other related content daily on our agency social media – follow us:

    www.linkedin.com/company/4n6associates

    www.twitter.com/4n6Associates

    Search Blog Archives
    by keyword(s):

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011

(c) 2022 Associates in Forensic Investigations LLC ~ Expert Medicolegal Consultants & Legal Investigators
A Rocky Mountain West Agency - National Consultations (888) 281-6912 ~:~ Associates@DeathCaseReview.com

The information found on this website is for general information purposes only. Any information found on this website does not constitute advice or a solicitation of clients, nor does it create a relationship between the reader and Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC or its principals.