Page 67 - 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

The law enforcement investigation is tasked with:

• Determining if a crime occurred.
• Determining specific criminal statute violations.

• Determining the elements of the criminal statutes and the evidence to prove – and any exculpatory

evidence – to the crime and any persons of interest or suspects.
• Determining persons of interest, and investigating to exclude or elevate persons to suspects.
• Investigation of suspects to exclude or find probable cause for presenting the case to prosecution and

arrest.

• Any requirements of the prosecution for follow-up prior to arrest, preliminary judicial process, active
judicial process, and any post-conviction matters.

The arrest of a suspect is neither the beginning of the work of the CFDI, nor the end of the work for law
enforcement. At any stage the CFDI is introduced to the case, it is time to get started from the beginning of
the case – to know the case from the beginning to its conclusion.

As an experienced criminal defense investigator, the role of the CFDI is expanded and will be an additional
focus on all aspects and nuances of the official investigation. In addition to those elements detailed here –

from Case Initiation to Case Summary / Disposition – the CFDI will carefully review, analyze and dissect the
official investigation to determine any areas of question and concern, any areas needing detailed

investigation, and the event story unfolding during the course of the official investigation. Is there an
alternative theory, and evidence to support it? Was any alternative theory developed and explored in the

official investigation? Was all evidence properly evaluated and tested as appropriate? Are test results
consistent with as reported? Even the narrowest of details may produce information and evidence vital to

the defense. In this actual example, careful analysis provided important details:
• The lead detective responded and documented the scenes and evidence in detail. In doing so,

including diagrams of decedent position and injuries, the detective noted a linear pattern to
gunshot wounds and opined in reports and testimony the close grouping and linear trajectories

were consistent with controlled fire and premeditation after the decedent had fallen.
• In separate reports to include the detective’s testimony, the detective stated his findings – and

present testimony – were without having received any laboratory reports or final autopsy report.

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