Page 83 - CFDI Guide

Certified Forensic Death Investigator (CFDI) Program
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI, CFDI-Expert and Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI, CFDI-SME
Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council (CDITC) Accredited

• All warrants, affidavits, and charging documents.
• All scene and/or investigative photographs and recordings (audio and video – including bodycam

and dashcam, and any cell phones used).
• All toxicology reports (separate from ME reports – i.e. DUI toxicology), equipment certification,

dispatch (CAD / MDT) reports and recorded calls and transcripts.
• All witness statements and interviews (written, audio, video and transcribed).

• All other unspecified reports, documentation and work product created and maintained by the

office and staff.

The CFDI should know the responsibilities of the law enforcement agencies and their jurisdictions. As an
experienced criminal defense investigator, this should be known and we will not devote time to this area.

We strongly suggest the CFDI enroll and complete the Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI) and

Certified Forensic Science Investigator (CFSI) from the Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council
(CDITC). In addition, the CFDI can learn about Force Investigations and the Board Certified Force Investigator
(BCFC) from the Force Concepts Training Council (FCTC). These are not simply certification programs – they

are full training programs requiring completion and passing examination to earn. These will greatly

compliment the CFDI Program and credential.

Law Enforcement Evidence
Law enforcement is the primary collector of evidence from the scene, and may be given evidence collected

by the medical examiner for processing. In addition to the obvious evidence – witness statements,
photographs and video, and other common responsibilities, law enforcement may collect other evidence:
• The body (yes, the body is evidence – and may be the most important)

• Clothing (movements, patterns of weapons used, range of fire, blood, fibers, body fluids, GSR, and

other evidence not found on the body)
• Fingerprinting

• Gunshot Residue (GSR)
• Examination of clothing

• Personal Effects
• Medications/ Illicit Drugs

• DNA (includes blood, semen, saliva from the scene and body)

• Bite marks

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