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Death and SBI Investigations - AFI-LLC Newsletter March 2017

3/6/2017

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Equivocal Deaths - Accident, Homicide or Suicide?
Let us help...

The most common questions in death investigation are:  "Is it a Suicide?" and "Is it a Homicide?" (www.IsItSuicide.com and www.IsItHomicide.com).  This question may often go unanswered due to lack of sufficient official investigation or attention to evidence.  This leaves the possibility of closure for the families impossible, particularly if foul play is suspected, or even an accident.  The wrong determination can also result in benefits, such as life insurance or worker compensation, underpaid - or worse, denied. 

At Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC (AFI-LLC), we have found that families, as well as our colleagues and attorney clients, are often unsure if a complete investigation is necessary, or how to determine the necessity of a full Equivocal Death Investigation.  Often, just the knowledge if a proper investigation was completed is all that is necessary, and warranted.

We are Subject Matter Experts in Medicolegal Death Investigation and Serious Bodily Injury, this is a limited field of qualified experts in the country, and with the teamwork combined with education, training and skills, and having affiliated forensic experts that include a forensic pathologist and forensic toxicologist, as well as other available specialties. The death of a loved one, or the trial of an accused, is not the time to consider fictional television or misinformed, misinterpreted, or misapplied opinions of lay persons.

Call our office today and speak to Karen or Dean about how we can help you and your clients. We also have an affiliated Forensic Pathologist and Forensic Toxicologist for expert consultations.

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IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 
-- Equivocal Deaths - Accident, Homicide or Suicide? Let us help...
-- Still Time to Register and Attend the NCISS 41st Annual Conference and Hit the Hill event
-- FALI 23rd Annual Conference and special Pre-Conference "Death and SBI Investigations" presented by Dean
-- Agency News and Updates
  - Public Records - Thinking Outside the Box
  - Attacks on the 4th Amendment
  - Best of AFI-LLC Blog Updated
  - A Look Back - Associates in Forensic Investigations Celebrates 25 Years 1987 to 2012!
  - GIMG.tv Facts & Forensics - Looking back to 2016 and into 2017
-- Tidbits from Our Profession
  - Upcoming Association Conferences
-- Associations and News of our Profession
 - News from PPIAC, NALI, NCISS and WAD, and your association news!
-- From the News

  - PI Apps - What is Your Experience?
  - Why Nobody Remembers the Forefather of Forensic Science
  - 30 Years Ago - Murder in Fort Collins - Who was Peggy Hettrick?
  - Legislative news and reports from NCISS
-- Closing Thoughts - Wrongful Death / SBI Referral Program!
-- 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, Medicolegal Investigations of Death and Serious Bodily Injury.

Based in the Rocky Mountain West, we 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 

Time is money!
Learn how we efficiently multi-task 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
  • 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
Still Time to Register and Attend...
Your Voice Makes a Difference!
 

With a new administration and session of Congress for 2017, what is ahead of us is unknown and just getting started. There is almost a clean slate to work from - all bills from the old session are off the table, but many have already been re-introduced. We are keeping our eyes on privacy issues, access to records, commercial use of drones, and commercial use of GPS. There are also several business regulations held over from the previous administration - several court decisions, as well as new executive orders have put those on hold. NCISS, with the help of Lobbyit, was directly involved and monitoring these activities and 2017 will quickly be busy for NCISS. This is your membership and your dues working to keep you in business!
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The Most Important Hit the Hill in Recent Years! 
This year, the annual Hit the Hill event is the most important of the last several years. With a new Congress and a new President, they need to hear our voice - personally, directly, and now! I personally invite you to join us for Hit the Hill - especially if you have never attended, and there is a special discounted rate for first-time attendees. This is the time to sit down, personally, with your Senators and Representatives, one-on-one, to share with them how their actions, legislation, regulations, and votes directly impact you and our business. What better time - than right now - when we have a clean slate to start with! We won't have this same opportunity for at least four more years, every two years with a new session of Congress - but this opportunity of a new President and new session is only every four or eight.

Join NCISS Today!
Please consider joining the National Council of Investigation & Security Services. This is a group of volunteer investigators and security professionals working together for our professions. NCISS also has great networking and conferences. We often say you should join your state association, and a national association that includes your areas of specialty, and include the association that has been our support in DC for 40 years. Details of the mission and NCISS membership are at www.nciss.org/membership-and-benefits
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23rd FALI Conference - Cocoa Beach, FL.
FALI has a long history of providing cutting edge education on the most relevant topics of the day. The FALI 2017 Conference promises to be the best opportunity in Florida to enhance your knowledge, further your career, increase your earning potential, and network during this event dedicated to investigative professionals.

Register now at www.fali.org/?page=FALICONFERENCE



Death and SBI Investigations for PIs!
The Pre-Conference is included at no additional charge for all fully registered attendees (not student or one-day) but you must RSVP on your registration form to attend.

Learn about "Death and Serious Bodily Injury Investigations" - and how you can accept these cases with expert consultations
In your investigative career you will be involved in civil and criminal cases of personal injury, negligence, and death. Understanding the processes, and separating fact from fiction, will enhance your work-product for clients.

Learn the concepts and protocols of investigating injury causation and death, and protocols of the forensic autopsy and findings of the autopsy in the final report.  This will be an information packed, and fast paced, series of presentations.

Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI are experienced legal investigators, death investigators, and forensic autopsy assistants.  This pre-conference program will provide the insight necessary to understand the importance of serious bodily injury and death investigation for civil and criminal investigators.  This will transition into reviewing, and comprehending, the autopsy findings presented in the final autopsy report.

If you are involved in legal investigations of civil, criminal or probate litigation, this is a valuable course. 
Warning:  includes graphic images

Learn more and register now at www.fali.org/?page=FALICONFERENCE

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Commentary from the blog archives of AFI-LLC
www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog.html
Keep up with the current events of our agency and profession through our blog.  Dating back to the fall of 2011, there are dozens of articles, tips and resources for professional investigators.

Public Records - Thinking Outside the Box (from 4/25/2012)
As private investigators we often check court records in the course of backgrounds, assets, and skip tracing - and the court records are often redacted of certain identifying and contact information, if we are permitted to view this otherwise public record.  The other issue complicating our job is that certain files are being destroyed after a set number a years after the case is closed.  These include non-violent misdemeanors and other offenses considered minor.  Although it may differ by locale, in many jurisdictions these issues are further complicated by the myriad of statutes, department policies and judicial directives.
Continued at www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/public-records-thinking-outside-the-box
 
Attacks on the 4th Amendment (4/26/2012)
There is more news about the 4th Amendment, the Georgia Supreme Court has been busy regarding search of cell phones incident to arrest and ISPs.
Continued at www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/attacks-on-the-4th-amendment
 
Best of AFI-LLC Blog Updated (from 6/4/2012)
Many of our oldest blogs, started in 2011, have been long forgotten. Here are some reminders of the best we had!
Continued at www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/best-of-afi-llc-blog-updated
 
As we look to celebrating 30 years in business this October, a look back to celebrating 25 years!
Associates in Forensic Investigations Celebrates 25 Years 1987 to 2012! (from 9/30/2012)
Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC, is excited to thank all of our family, friends, colleagues and clients for a wonderful 25 years!
 
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI, formed his agency on October 1st 1987.  At that time he specialized in general civil and criminal investigations, and emphasized individual locates, backgrounds and assets & liabilities.  These specialties, still practiced today, found him to be one of the most sought investigators, speakers and trainers.
 
In 1996 his wife, Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI, joined the agency and added her education, training and experience in social work environments to add a personal touch and emphasis to their clients.
 
Continued at www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/associates-in-forensic-investigations-celebrates-25-years-1987-to-2012

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Global Investigators Media Group (GIMG.tv) with Facts & Forensics
Each month Dean host a podcast featuring topical information in the areas of legal investigations and forensic investigations.  He is joined by his wife and business partner, Karen for 'Conversations with Karen' on special topics of interest.  Dean closes each episode with a 'Special Guest' who is an expert in a forensic specialty.  Tune in this, and every, month!

All shows are posted at http://gimg.tv

In February Dean and Karen reflected on 2016 and looked at what to expect in 2017.

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Expert Affiliations
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 has returned to Colorado and is the former 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.


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TIDBITS FROM OUR PROFESSION
Upcoming conferences and meetings from associations:
NCISS - (March - see below) 2017 41st Annual Meeting / Hit the Hill March 27-29, Washington DC
WAD -
(April) 2017 WAD Mid-Term Meeting April 02-04, South Miami Beach FL
GAPPI - (May) 2017 Annual Conference from April 30 to May 03, Jekyll Island GA (Dean may be speaking at this event - TBD)
FALI - (May - see below) 2017 Annual Conference from May 04-06 at Cocoa Beach FL - Dean is giving a full-day pre-conference seminar on Death Investigation (included in the full registration fee). Click here for Details and Registration
SCALI - (May) 2017 Annual Conference May 04-06, Charleston SC
INSPI - (May) 2017 Annual Conference May 16-18, South Bend IN (includes Certified Criminal Defense Investigator training!)
NALI - (June) 2017 50th Anniversary Annual Conference June 8-10, Alexandria Hotel, Alexandria VA
CALI - (June) 2017 Annual Conference June 8-10, Reno NV
TALI - 2017 Annual Conference August 22-25, San Antonio TX - Dean is speaking on Death / Murder Investigations

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ASSOCIATIONS AND NEWS
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 continues to hold specialized training sessions for new and veteran investigators, and also specific to the new licensing program.

PPIAC has just announced their annual fall Rocky Mountain Private Investigators Conference! September 14th to 16th.

NCISS will hold their annual Mid-Term Board Meeting the day before (09/13/2017) with a meet and greet that evening.

A special pre-conference event, earning a special certification, will be held on Thursday 09/14/2017 - look for details soon!

The full conference continues with eight high caliber speakers!

Details and regisration at https://ppiac.wildapricot.org/event-2454623

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)
Each day we find an increasing number of problems confronting the orderly growth of our profession. These problems include, among others: overly restrictive legislation regarding training and standards, proliferation of legislation requiring local licensing, public misunderstanding and misinformation on the role and contribution of private investigators and security services, and an uninformed media. It is the role of NCISS to meet and solve these problems while seeking to uncover and recommend action on any hidden potential problems which may have an effect on our profession.

The current issue of NCISS's official journal - Your Advocate - is available online at www.nciss.org/your-advocate
Special news and alerts are at www.nciss.org/important-nciss-news

World Association of Detectives (www.WAD.net) 
W.A.D. is a global alliance of investigators and security professionals with origins dating back to 1921 and formalized in 1925.  W.A.D. is the longest established and largest association of its kind in the world.

Karen is the W.A.D. Administrative Manager, and Dean is the Governor of the Americas (North, Central and South America).  Together we work to further the mission of W.A.D. and provide resources to clients needing assistance in these regions.  The W.A.D. magazine,

The current issue of WAD's official newletter - Beyond Global - is available online at www.wad.net/newsletters-beyond-global
 
Additional memberships include FALI, TALI and CALI state associations, as well as specialty specific national associations (see below). If your association has news, please send it to us for inclusion in our newsletter.

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FROM THE NEWS
PI Apps - What is Your Experience?
Our agency is currently working with other state and national associations to address the concerns of common PI referral apps and websites designed for anonymity (think Ashley Madison). These are services, operated only through an app or website, that allows an unidentifed person to confidentially engage an also unidentified private investigator. The app, such as one formerly known as Flim Flam (that should be a hint) is the go-between for all communications, fees, and reporting. There is no contact between the PI and client (as is required by every state licensing law / regulation); and therefore no verification of the parties or legalities of their purpose. The concerns are not the concept of the service, joining PIs and clients, but the violations of laws, regulations, and commonsense that might endanger PIs, clients, and subjects of investigations.

The persons and entities behind the apps are not licensed in any state, and potential clients have no way of knowing if the PI they hired is licensed - because they do not know who the PI is and will never have contact with them. Not even if they need their testimony in court (a report is not testimonial evidence without the report writer).

Please see our agency commentary at "Danger of PI Apps" - www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/danger-of-pi-apps
 
What are your experiences as a PI, attorney, client or subject? Please feel free to share your thoughts, with complete confidentiality if requested. Please do so by contacting our agency by email at associates@DeathCaseReview.com during the months of March through May. Thank You!

As a reminder, the best resource for other PIs, attorneys and other clients to find a licensed and vetted PI is through state and national associations. We include the top national and international associations in our newsletters, and are glad to help you find information on any state association. We have personal contacts in our network of over 3,000 investigators worldwide and in every state, plus those through our international, national and multi-state memberships.
You can verify licensure in Colorado at www.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx

Why Nobody Remembers the Forefather of Forensic Science
Wilmer Souder was a hidden pioneer of a still developing field. He used aliases and ruses. His notebooks are filled with careful forensic analyses of ransom notes and other pieces of evidence. While you probably have never heard the name Wilmer Souder, he helped pinpoint criminals long before CSI was a thing. As Rich Press reports for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Souder was a hidden pioneer of the field we now call forensics—and his work was a pivotal part of one of history’s most famous criminal cases.
Continued at www.themarshalltown.com/why-nobody-remembers-the-forefather-of-forensic-science/24587

The Woman Who Helped Stop an Early Attempt on Abraham Lincoln's Life
American's first female PI - shared by Robert Orozco (Advanced Professional Investigations, Castle Rock CO)
In 1856, an attractive young widow presented herself at the offices of Allan Pinkerton. At the time, he was well on his way to fame as the founder of America’s first detective agency. Little did he realize that his visitor wasn’t just another pretty face; she was Kate Warne and she was soon to become the world’s first woman P.I.
Continued at http://time.com/4689230/first-female-detective

30 Years Ago - Murder in Fort Collins - Who was Peggy Hettrick?
Just months before Dean would start our agency, a still unsolved murder happened in Fort Collins, CO. Murders were rare, and this one remains both unsolved and troubling for many reasons. Timothy Masters, a young student at Fort Collins High School, was suspected and later arrested while serving in the US Navy. He was convicted, only to be exonerated and released in 2008. Much has changed over the years. The mobile home park Masters lived in has been razed and redeveloped, the restaurant Hettrick was last seen in was also razed and a new restaurant built. The apartments she lived in were in high demand, but are now in need of repair and serve a different demographic of tenants. The small mall she worked at has seen many changes and remodels. Where her body was found, a field in the center of where all the places converged, has seen extensive development. What has not changed is her murder remains unsolved.

30 years later, the Fort Collins Coloradoan takes another look - www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2017/02/08/peggy-hettrick-murder-cold-case-fort-collins/97378070

The National Registry of Exonerations - Timothy Masters - www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3412

Legislative News from NCISS
The latest NCISS Your Advocate has been mailed to members and can be viewed at www.nciss.org/your-advocate
For additional information on these items, please visit www.nciss.org/important-nciss-news

NCISS The eAdvocate for January / February 2017
http://conta.cc/2kejWyv

NCISS Monthly Report from Lobbyit for January 2017
In the month of January, Lobbyit continued our efforts to divine where Congress and the Trump Administration might be headed with respect to issues important to NCISS members. Lobbyit also met with the Senate Commerce Committee and Senator Bill Nelson’s office, and with the House Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss the Spoofing Prevention Act.
Please read the full Report! http://conta.cc/2lnzRet

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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 and CCDI programs both require 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...
Death and Serious Bodily Injuries are seen in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation
From motor vehicle collisions to homicides, and nursing home neglect to domestic violence, even worker compensation cases - death and SBI may be the foundation of the action and charges.

PIs and attorneys can better help their clients by having a better understanding, and access to the best nationwide resources. Please consider attending the FALI pre-conference event to learn the key points of death and SBI investigations, accepting cases and benefiting from our expertise. If you cannot attend, consider the text-based distance learning course we developed, and the included investigations guide.


As a service to PIs and attorneys, we provide experienced expert consultation and expert witness services nationwide. Our combination of expertise in death and SBI, as well as legal investigation, provide you a very unique opportunity to best represent your clients and their interests.

Not receiving our newsletter and update in your inbox? Click to Subscribe Now!
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Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
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 serious bodily injury case nationwide 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!


Experience the PRIDE of Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC - Professional Reliable Investigators Defining Excellence in every assignment. 

Sincerely,
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI 

Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC - Associates@DeathCaseReview.com
 
Colorado (970) 480-7793 - Dean x1 and Karen x2 - Voice / TXT

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    These newsletters date back to  December 2016. All prior newsletters are archived.

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    Join theInvestigators on Yahoo Groups!
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