Page 149 - 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

incident, and upon re-interview by our agency it was determined that his interview was inaccurately
reported. Approximately one month after the reporting incident, a third child of the family was officially

interviewed and determined to not be a witness or victim to any incident. Without contacting any other
persons at the reporting incident, this case was again sent to the prosecutor’s office for filing of

charges. Again, the case was returned for additional investigation. The detective conducted additional

interviews and re-submitted the case, resulting in multiple charges of sexual assault on a child,
approximately five months after the reporting incident.

Independent review of the prosecution’s discovery revealed multiple investigative errors and

misinformation, including multiple differing accounts of the same alleged incidents. Independent
investigation, including scene investigations not conducted by law enforcement, also revealed multiple
areas of inaccurate and false information. Independent interviews of multiple witnesses not previously

interviewed and additional witnesses supported information determined during the course of the

independent investigation. A summary report was provided to the prosecutor approximately eight
months after the reported incident and six months after charges were filed.

More than 18 months after the reported incident the prosecutor’s office dismissed all charges after re-

interviewing the alleged victims.

Suspicious Death - Independent Investigation (Expert Consultation)
Our agency was retained by private counsel on behalf of the decedent’s family. The decedent was found

by his wife, deceased on his bed. There were indications of a possible struggle. The official ruling was
Accident due to blunt force injuries consequential to a fall while intoxicated.

Received and reviewed were the official reports, records and scene photographs, as well as statements

from family members. There were no autopsy photographs available.

The decedent was found by an off-duty law enforcement officer. The decedent’s wife had been unable to
reach him all day and called a friend, a local law enforcement officer, to check for her before she entered

the home. This entry was reported to the dispatch office. There was no domestic history, medical history
or contributing social history – such as depression or suicidal ideations – of any involved persons.

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