Page 147 - 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

girlfriend. His wallet was on the television in his bedroom.

Toxicology, as noted in the autopsy report, included fatal levels of methadone and another prescription
drug. The trajectory was confirmed as consistent with a likely position at the time of the gunshot. Blood

spatter was consistent with both being a self-inflicted or inflicted by another person. The decedent was

right-handed. Also noted in review, but not the autopsy or investigative reports, was frothy blood - absent
blood, this is often seen in opiate overdoses.

Investigation and additional consultation with a forensic toxicology laboratory confirmed that the levels of

the drugs would have incapacitated the decedent, leaving him unable to manipulate a handgun and self-
inflict the gunshot wound. It was determined that the gunshot was peri-mortem; however the Cause of
Death could not have been due to the gunshot wound.

It was our opinion that there was foundation that merits the reopening of this equivocal death.

Presently and pending further official investigation, the Cause of Death is best reclassified as ‘overdose
due to multi-drug toxicity’; and the Manner of Death as ‘Undetermined’ (suicide vs. homicide); and other

conditions not resulting in death should include ‘Peri-mortem single gunshot wound to the head of
unknown origin’.

Criminal Defense - Homicide and Injury Causation (Expert Consultation)

Our agency was retained by counsel on behalf of the defendant in this capital murder case. Assignments
included to review the official records, reports and photographs and provide an opinion as to the

circumstances of death. At question was if the injuries are as described by reporting witnesses and if the
death occurred only as reported. Specifically, the number of weapons (reported to be one) and assailants,

as well as assault activity. Provided for review were several hundred photographs, several thousand pages
of reports, records, transcripts and statements, and several hours of interview audio.

The decedent was consensually picked up by a group from an outlaw motorcycle gang and went to the

clubhouse to party. By report the decedent consumed alcohol and was disrespectful to members,
resulting in physical assault and then transported to a remote location and left. It was variously reported

that she unconscious and/or unresponsive when transported. She was found by passers-by in a

125 | P a g e