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Every Contact Leaves a Trace - AFI-LLC Newsletter July 2017

7/10/2017

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We hope each of you and your families had an exceptional extended holiday weekend in celebration of our country's 241st birthday and Independence Day!

Please Be Alert!
As we all begin to enjoy our summer - remember that kids are out of school and playing, and more motorcycles and bicycles will be on the roads.

A few seconds of your eyes and attention diverted from the road and driving is dangerous. Please do not text, email or social network while driving. Use a hands free device for calls, and only when appropriate and necessary.

This could save your life, and the life of lives of others - including your loved ones!


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Every Contact Leaves a Trace 
Recently friends and colleagues ‘across the pond’ – Phil and Yin Johnson of JJ Associates International (www.jjassociatesinternational.com) – shared a video on social media, entitled “Every contact leaves a trace” by John Sutherland at TEDxLondon (https://youtu.be/ibl3M4dTF2U). Mr. Sutherland is a Metro London Police officer and shares experiences we have practiced during the nearly 30-year course of our agency – truly, every contact does leave a trace and we will look for them. Most people think of forensic trace evidence; however, this was a concept of our long before we were involved in forensics.

Continued at
www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/every-contact-leaves-a-trace

Last's month's "Is it Homicide or Suicide - Test Your Observation Skills" received some great responses. This depicts a gunshot wound and asking if this was murder or suicide, based on the picture. Ultimately, an autopsy is the best resource to answer the questions, myths and evidence determination.

If you missed it last month, visit this link - www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/is-it-homicide-or-suicide-test-your-observation-skills
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IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 
-- Please Be Alert!
-- Every Contact Leaves a Trace
-- Assuring you AFI-LLC Investigators are Licensed, Bonded and Insured
-- Latest book available... "Investigating Death and Serious Bodily Injuries"
-- Commentary from the blog archives of AFI-LLC
 - Investigator Ethics Involving Social Media
 - Does Drug Addiction Increase Chance of Suicide?
 - LaPorte investigative team takes pride in helping victims
 - Statement Analysis - How Much Does a Statement Reveal?
-- Time is money!
-- Global Investigators Media Group (GIMG.tv) Facts & Forensics
-- Expert Affiliations
-- Tidbits From Our Profession
-- Associations and News
-- News From Our Profession
 - Life after death: Meet the Larimer County Coroner
 - 6 Remarkable Ways Guns Can Be Linked To A Crime Scene
 - When DNA Implicates the Innocent
 - In-Person Vs. Telephone Investigative Interview
 - When Opioid Addicts Find an Ally in Blue
 - The Law and Science of Eyewitness Identification
-- Legislative News You Can Use... from NCISS
-- The Quint-Essential Qualities of a Professional Investigator
-- In Closing
-- 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

Assuring you AFI-LLC Investigators are Licensed, Bonded and Insured
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In April we renewed our Cheyenne WY PI / Security license, and in May we renewed our Colorado PI licenses (mandatory effective June 1st 2015).

What is required to be licensed in Colorado?
-- Be 21 years of age or older and a US citizen;
-- Passing a jurisprudence exam on the rules, regulations and statutes of being a Colorado Licensed Private Investigator;
-- Passing a Colorado and FBI fingerprint criminal background check;
-- Securing a $10,000 surety bond for consumer protection; and
-- Level II - Demonstrating 4,000 hours or greater of experience (education can be included for up to 2,000 hours).

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

Learn more from www.LicensedLegalInvestigators.com
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Latest book available...
"Investigating Death and Serious Bodily Injuries"

FALI is offering, for a limited time, our Investigating Death & Serious Bodily Injuries book, "Death and Serious Bodily Injury Investigation for the Professional Investigator," by Dean & Karen Beers.

These are for a limited time! The guide is under revision and will be released this summer for $95 - save 1/3 off the price now at just $70, including shipping with 50% net proceeds going to FALI!

https://fali.site-ym.com/store/ViewProduct.aspx?id=8948697

The manual is over 200 pages and begins with the core of the Beers's distance learning course manual. It includes over 20 additional forensic, death and serious bodily injury based articles.

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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.

Investigator Ethics Involving Social Media (from 7/18/2016)
Emerging technologies - from drones and GPS to social media and cloud storage - they may help or hinder our investigations, and become the subject of laws, regulations and ethics.  Ethics are the moral fiber of a profession.  Ethics are not optional - they are as required as laws and regulations - and violating them may lead to administrative punishments from fines to license revocations.  The actions of a private investigator, particularly when retained by an attorney, are guided by our own ethics and that of attorneys - and any violations can impact the attorney.  Ethics are promulgated by the American Bar Association, and also by the individual state bar associations.  It is important to know those applicable to the states in which you conduct business.
- Continued at www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/investigator-ethics-involving-social-media
 
Does Drug Addiction Increase Chance of Suicide? (from 7/23/2016)
Of all reported suicides, over 50% are associated with dependence upon drugs and alcohol. In teens and young adults, this figure increases to over 70%. The relationship between substance abuse and suicide is complex, but those who suffer are not beyond help. Why Substance Abuse and Suicide Are Correlated?
- Continued at www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/does-drug-addiction-increase-chance-of-suicide
 
LaPorte investigative team takes pride in helping victims (from 10/13/2011)
Although we no longer live in LaPorte, this Coloradoan article truly sums up our passion…
The local newspaper did this business profile on us - published Monday 10/10/2011.  Although we did not choose the title, interestingly they chose to describe us as a 'team', our first emphasis, and 'pride', our second emphasis.  PRIDE is an acronym we use for Professional Reliable Investigators Defining Excellence.
Q - Explain what you do.
A - We are expert consultants and legal investigators of personal injury, negligence and death in civil, criminal and probate litigation and related matters.
- Continued at www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/laporte-investigative-ieam-takes-pride-in-helping-victims
 
Statement Analysis - How Much Does a Statement Reveal? (from 11/12/2011)
During the 2011 Presidential campaign, some events were alleged and statements released.
This is not meant to be a political review, but given this well-known statement and alleged incident, a cursory review reveals more questions than answers, and perhaps some insight into truth v. deception.
- Continued at www.deathcasereview.com/afi-llc-blog/statement-analysis-how-much-does-a-statement-reveal

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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

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Global Investigators Media Group (GIMG.tv) Facts & Forensics
About every other 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

The latest podcast reflects on trips for NCISS and WAD, current legislation watch, our thoughts on the upcoming 'Making a Murderer - Part II' and the latest '13 Reasons Why'. Dean also has a conversation with domestic violence expert and attorney, Vicki Lutz, on conducting

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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, based in Colorado, is the former Chief Medical Examiner of Cook County IL.  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:

TALI - 2017 Annual Conference August 22-25, San Antonio TX - Dean is speaking on Death / Murder Investigations - www.tali.org/2017-conference
NCISS - 2017 Mid-Term Meeting September 13th, Westminster, CO. - www.NCISS.org
PPIAC - 2017 Annual Conference September 14th FTER Pre-Conference and 15th & 16th regular conference, Westminster, CO. - https://ppiac.wildapricot.org/event-2454623

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

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
Rocky Mountains - Colorado Forensic Interviewing - FTER Method Certification Program, PPIAC - Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado

Pre-Conference Certification Event! September 14, 2017 
The CDITC in partnership with the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado will be hosting the CDITC 8 hour Forensic Interviewing Certification course. The focus of this course is to introduce and certify the participants in FTER – Forensic Testimonial Evidence Recovery concepts and techniques.  This course focused upon criminal defense investigation and builds upon the concepts of forensic investigative interviewing.  

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

NEW!! Members Only Page - www.nciss.org/members-only
State Legislation Awareness Monitoring (SLAM), Membership Directory (PDF), Member contributed articles.

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

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News From Our Profession
Life after death: Meet the Larimer County Coroner
(Fort Collins Coloradoan) Dr. Jim Wilkerson was one of the six Forensic Pathologists we trained under during our tenure of training, internship and employment at the Larimer County Coroner / Medical Examiner’s Office in Colorado. This story shares some of the background of the unique functions, particularly to Larimer County and our training, of medicolegal death investigation.
 
“In Larimer County, the investigator who responds to the scene of a death follows the case to the end. They collect evidence on scene, including photographs and other observations, and transport the bodies in their four-wheel-drive pickup trucks to the morgue for an autopsy, or arrange for a funeral home to gather the body if a case doesn’t warrant an autopsy.
 
Often, the investigator makes the initial death notification to inform surviving family members. They become the point person who distills medical information from Wilkerson and other doctors and shares it with the family, and they get answers to the family’s questions. They also assist Wilkerson during autopsies; collect information from first responders, family members and coworkers; and help compile autopsy reports that include investigative findings, notes, interviews, diagrams and photographs.”
Continued at www.coloradoan.com/story/news/local/2017/06/15/life-after-death-meet-larimer-county-coroner/394469001
 
6 Remarkable Ways Guns Can Be Linked To A Crime Scene
Some good insight into how trace and ballistic evidence works.
 
Connecting the weapon to the scene, scene to the victim and victim to the weapon - and all also for the perpetrator - are key. That is the investigative process. The investigative process may add, change, or remove more pieces to the puzzle. The investigation is concluded when these are all affirmatively done.
Continued at http://forensicoutreach.com/library/6-remarkable-ways-guns-can-be-linked-to-a-crime-scene/
 
When DNA Implicates the Innocent
The criminal justice system’s reliance on DNA evidence, often treated as infallible, carries significant risks.
 
From our friends at Pursuit Magazine - there is so more that needs included in investigations with DNA. "Until recently, "touch DNA" has been regarded as incontrovertible proof of direct contact. But a growing number of studies show that DNA does not always stay put."
Continued at www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-dna-implicates-the-innocent

In-Person Vs. Telephone Investigative Interview
From our friends at Pursuit Magazine and Diligentia Group...
So What Is Better? In the end, it really depends on the type of work and your (or your client’s) appetite for utilizing your time and resources. Great article. Pretty much what we outline to clients.
Read the pros and cons of each at http://www.diligentiagroup.com/legal-investigation/in-person-vs-telephone-investigative-interview
 
When Opioid Addicts Find an Ally in Blue
Shared by our friends at Pursuit Magazine, from the NY Times...
"Across the country, police leaders are assigning themselves a big role in reversing a complex crisis, and not through mass arrests."
Continued at www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/nyregion/when-opioid-addicts-find-an-ally-in-blue.html
 
The Law and Science of Eyewitness Identification
From our friends at Pursuit Magazine and John Nardizzi
One area of law in need of profound change is the process by which courts and investigators collect witness identification evidence. Eyewitness identification plays a fundamental role in criminal cases, and also plays a part in civil cases and internal business investigations. But this critical tool is often plagued with reliability problems. While it is important to use identification procedures to solve crimes, it is equally important to exclude innocent people from prosecution.
Continued at http://pursuitmag.com/the-law-and-science-of-eyewitness-identification

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Legislative News You Can Use... from NCISS
Legislative Activity Summary for June
In the month of June, Lobbyit’s advocacy focused on areas of labor law important to NCISS members, especially those with significant numbers of employees.  Lobbyit met with the Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), the House Education and Workforce Committee (Ed & Workforce), and the House Energy and Commerce Committee (E&C) to discuss the prospects for a variety of labor-related regulations and legislation.
 
Other topics covered in this month’s report:
- Department of Labor (DOL) Overtime Rule
- Persuader Rule
- Workforce Democracy Act (S1350/HR 2776) -- Rolling back the “ambush” election rulemaking
  -- S 1350 and companion HR 2776 would fix the Ambush rule
  -- S 1217 and companion HR2629 also further address these issues

This full report has been sent to NCISS members

CALL TO ACTION - Federal GPS Legislation
On behalf of NCISS, Lobbyit has continued to follow-up with important offices regarding the changes NCISS seeks in the Wyden/Chaffetz GPS bill. A primary focus of NCISS's 2017 Hit the Hill (HTH) advocacy day was the GPS Act.  In the Senate, the bill is sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).  In the House, the bill is championed by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT).
 
The GPS Act would make it a criminal offense to track persons and property via electronic means without their consent. Please visit - https://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50788/c/148/p/dia/action3/common/public/

For additional information on NCISS legislative activity, please visit www.nciss.org/important-nciss-news

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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.

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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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IN CLOSING...

www.EquivocalDeathAnalysis.com
- Legal Investigations - Civil, Criminal & Probate
- Expert Consultations and Medicolegal Investigations of Death & SBI
- Individual Locates, Backgrounds and Assets & Liabilities
 
We specialize in helping other PIs and attorneys assisting families.  Contact our agency any time – we’re there when you need us.


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