A story today regarding a death that occurred in 2010 is a perfect example of why you do not jump to a conclusion when you first enter the scene where a death has occurred.  It takes several angles of an investigation in finding all of the facts to have an accurate determination of a death.  A decedent found with a gun close by could be a suicide, a homicide or an accident, so assumptions and/or tunnel vision should not come in to play.  A proper fact finding investigation with all of the professional team members involved will be what is necessary in making an important ruling on a death.   To see the newspaper article along with the related stories involving this case out of Durango, Colorado here is the link:  http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20111223/NEWS01/712239916/0/20111104/Garcia-faces-new-charges-in-shooting-case

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.

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20111010/BUSINESS/110100313/-1/

Explain what you do.Answer: We are expert consultants and legal investigators of personal injury, negligence and death in civil, criminal and probate litigation and related matters.

Q: Private investigators have been glamorized on television, movies and plays as masters of disguise and intrigue. What is it like in reality?

A: Particularly in our specialties, there is not much glamour - but there is satisfaction in helping those victimized and affected by traumatic, often fatal, events.

Q: What kind of investigations make up the bulk of your business?

A: Expert consultations in injuries, injury causation and death have become increasingly in demand.

These may be in civil or criminal cases, as well as what is referred to as equivocal death investigation - when there is a question as to the cause and manner of death, at least in the view of the family or their legal representative.

Civil investigations, from motor vehicle collisions to negligence of another, is the bulk of the legal investigative, followed by criminal defense.

Q: You have branched out into forensic investigations. What is the difference between that and private investigations?

A: We began forensic investigations in 2000 and now concentrate primarily in that area as it relates to our specialized services. Private investigators play an important role in our society and legal system - for the individual, business, insurance, attorney and others. Private investigators may provide surveillance, backgrounds, process service and other services in workplace, domestic and also civil and criminal cases.

Legal investigators focus on civil plaintiff (representing a person who is alleging to have been wronged by the actions of another) or criminal defense. Forensic investigations focuses on the facts and evidence necessary for our judicial system, particularly the judge and jury, to make informed decisions. We like to say that forensics represents Facts or Reasonable Evidence Necessitating Systematic Investigative and Critical Solutions.

Q: Generally speaking, what's been your most exciting case?A: Any case in which we have helped a client, victim or family member begin to find solutions and closure to a traumatic event. It is not possible to be in their position, but we feel with our help on their legal team, we can make their position better.

One memorable case involved extensive work for the victim of a motor vehicle collision who could not recall what happened. We were able to prove, through witnesses and scene investigation, what happened and that the responsible party's statements were false and not possible to have happened as they reported.

Another also involved a motor vehicle collision and being able to prove for the decedent's family that the responsible party, although in possession of a narcotic legally, had used it illegally just before the collision, proving his negligence and not that of the decedent.

Q: How did you get into the investigation business?

A: Dean worked for a local family-owned grocery store and began deciding a career change was necessary. Having long had an interest in investigations, he attempted to work for other investigators but none was hiring during a troubling economic time. Instead, he decided to form his own agency and teach himself what needed to be done. In 1996, Karen began expanding her knowledge and working cases.

Q: Tell our readers one thing that would surprise them about your business.

A: Private investigations has always been one of the fastest-growing small businesses in the U.S. It also has one of the lowest rates of survival in under five years. A recent study found that, just as with 20 years ago, there are as many new investigators (under two years) as veteran (over 15 years). Dean and Karen are also one of three husband and wife Certified Criminal Defense Investigator teams in the U.S. and Dean is one of fewer than 80 certified legal investigators worldwide.

DEAN AND KAREN BEERS » Ages: Average age is 49
» Occupation: Legal investigators
» Business: Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
» Business address: home-based business in LaPorte
» Business hours: Consultations are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday but work is literally 24/7.
» Business contact information: Office - (970) 480-7793; General email - Associates@ Forensic-Investigators.com; website: www.forensic-investigators.com

Well, fall is officially here and summer is gone...but I hope everyone had a great summer!  Look inside our newsletter to find out the joys of summer we had!

I'll bet you've noticed and heard about a few changes we have made with our agency - a new name, logo and contact information.  Our services remain the same - expert consultations and legal investigations of personal injury, negligence and death in civil, criminal and probate litigation through the US.  This better reflects our growing national footprint as Expert Consultants and Legal Investigators of Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation. Our clients will remain attorneys and investigators representing families and victims of traumatic injuries and death.  This change also reflects our affiliation with experts in forensic pathology, forensic toxicology and a neurosurgeon (retired).

We also have new contact phone numbers:
(970) 480-7793 for our main number, and x1 for Dean and x2 for Karen
(970) 480-7794 is our new fax number

We have also completely redesigned our agency website, with updates still being developed.  As one of our specialties is death investigation and injury causation, visit www.DeathCaseReview.com for a look.

Each month our agency publishes an interactive and informative newsletter for clients and colleagues.  However, some groups strip out the html code - so we have created the following links.

The current issue is at < AFI-LLC Newsletter - October 2011 >
(please note - in our hurry to get the newsletter out before leaving for vacation - I did not put up the right banner or change the contact information.  This version is corrected).