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death investigator (MLDI) certification and expertise, such as for those working in law enforcement or

medical examiner offices, takes the following:
• 12-24 months of specialized training and experience.
• Actual scene and death investigation experience.

• Actual forensic autopsy assistance or attendance.

• Demonstration and experience with evidence.
• Knowledge and experience in death related forensics.

All investigators owe a professional and ethical duty to their clients, and the decedent – even victims

subject to the cases they are working – to pursue the facts and evidence as a path to the truth they reveal.

IV. THE DEATH / SBI CRIMINAL DEFENSE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS BY THE CFDI
All investigations are time intensive. Complex litigation, including criminal defense, can be very time

intensive. Death and SBI investigations in criminal defense will try the CFDI unlike other cases. There is
much more evidence and depth of evidence to these cases. Thankfully, the experienced criminal defense

investigator is well versed and prepared for this. Within the Investigative Protocol we have presented,
there is a further specific protocol we use in all death / SBI cases – and is recommended for any litigation

cases, and is based on the ACE-V Method. This gives us two methods and reasons to review the discovery –
standard defense investigation, and specific to the death / SBI by the CFDI. Once the death / SBI protocol is

picked up, these are easily done concurrently and are recommended as it builds a stronger findings and
opinion to be used by the defense team and legal strategy.

From previous lecture programs, as well as experience, the criminal defense investigator knows there

must be connections of evidence to the person(s), scene(s) and instrument(s), together with an additional
direct and circumstantial evidence, will develop a picture of the incident under investigation. Following

this evidence may eliminate persons, scenes and instruments from any involvement in the incident. Let’s
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call the following purpose Part 1:
• Person to scene – this can be determined by trace evidence found at the scene that is proven to

have come from the person. Further investigation will determine if that person was at the scene at
the time in question.
• Victim to scene – this can also be determined by trace evidence found at the scene that is proven

to have come from the person. Further investigation will determine if that victim was at the scene

6 Death and Serious Bodily Injury Investigation for the Professional Investigator – Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI and Karen
S. Beers, BSW, CCDI ©2017
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