Practical Methods for Legal Investigations

Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases
1. Auflage 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4398-4484-7
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd (Sales)

Buch, Englisch, 382 Seiten, Format (B × H): 178 mm x 254 mm, Gewicht: 880 g

Legal investigators are responsible for providing factual evidence – as the fact finders, they are the foundation for the attorneys they work with daily. The attorney is responsible for forming and implementing the legal strategy and presenting it to the judge or jury. The legal investigator provides checks and balances to ensure that no evidence is being forced upon a theory, and that no theory is being forced upon the evidence. Practical Methods for Legal Investigations: Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases presents legal investigators with a step-by-step process that reveals how to methodically find and report evidence in every aspect of the investigative process.

Similar to the scientific principle of using research to prove or disprove a theory, the author’s Investigative Protocol is designed to find the facts that prove or disprove criminal charges, civil allegations, or elements thereof. The book includes case studies that clearly detail how the process of the Investigative Protocol applies to every assignment of the case and to the case as a whole. Comprehensive and methodical, the system provides a map to the truth.
Readers can discuss the book on the Yahoo Group Practical Methods for Legal Investigations.

Zielgruppe

Legal investigators, attorneys, insurance and fraud investigators, medical examiners, and coroners.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Beers, CLI Dean a

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Strafrecht Kriminologie, Strafverfolgung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

What Is a Professional Legal Investigator?

The Professional Legal Investigator

Five Qualities of a Professional Legal Investigator

The Passionate Search for the Facts

The Goals of the Professional Legal Investigator

The Three Requirements of All Investigations

What Roles Are Played in the Legal Drama?

Stage 1: Prepare

Prepare—Introduction

Prepare—Records and Reports

Prepare—Research

Prepare—Scene

Prepare—Photography

Prepare—Interviews

Prepare—Transition to Inquire Stage

Stage 2: Inquire

Inquire—Introduction

Inquire—Records and Reports

Inquire—Research

Civil and Criminal—Motor Vehicle Collision

Civil—Slip/Trip/Fall

Criminal—Assault

All Types of Cases

Inquire—Scene

Inquire—Photography

Inquire—Interviews

Inquire—Backgrounds

Inquire—Expanding the Investigation

Inquire—Request More Information

Inquire—Transition to Analyze Stage

Stage 3: Analyze

Analyze—Introduction

Analyze—Records and Reports

Analyze—Research

Analyze—Scene

Analyze—Photography

Analyze—Interviews

Overall Analysis and Transition to Document Stage

Stage 4: Document

Document—Introduction

Document—Evidentiary Discovery and Disclosures

Document—Attorney-Client and Client (Plaintiff or Defendant)

Document—Legal Investigator’s Work Product

Document—Transition to Report Stage

Stage 5: Report

Report—Introduction

Report—Identification

Report—Case Initiation or Case Status (Prepare)

Report—Incident Synopsis (Prepare)

Report—Provided Information (Prepare)

Report—Discovery or Disclosure (Prepare)

Report—Witnesses or Persons of Interest (Prepare and Inquire)

Report—Backgrounds of Involved Parties and Witnesses (Prepare and

Inquire)

Report—Interviews, Contacts, or Statements (Prepare, Inquire,

and Analyze)

Report—Interview Summaries and Transcripts (Inquire and Analyze)

Report—Scene Surveys or Investigations and Descriptions (Inquire,

Analyze, and Document)

Report—Investigative Processes (All Stages—Focus on Inquire)

Report—Investigative Findings or Expert Opinions (Inquire, Analyze, and

Document)

Report—Key Points of Opposing Investigation (Inquire, Analyze, and

Document)

Report—Audio Recordings, Video Recordings, and Photography

(Document)

Report—Attachments, Reports, and Records Acquired (Document)

Report—Evidence Collection, Retention, and Distribution (Document)

Report—Pending Assignments and Activities (Analyze and Document)

Report—Recommendations (Analyze)

Report—Summary (Complete Investigative Protocol)

Report—Certification and Confidentiality Statements

Report—Presentation to the Attorney-Client

Report—Other Common Reports

Report—Other Considerations

Understanding the Completion of this Investigative

Protocol

Introduction

Stage 1: Prepare

Stage 2: Inquire

Stage 3: Analyze

Stage 4: Document

Stage 5: Report

The Legal Investigator

The 80/20 Rule of Investigation (and All Things Related)

Introduction

Stage 1: Prepare

Stage 2: Inquire

Stage 3: Analyze

Stage 4: Document

Stage 5: Report

An Investigator’s Day

Rules and Ethics as Agent for Attorneys

Ethics and Professional Licensing

Ethics and Rules of Evidence

Common Rules Violated

Ethics Scenario

Specific Applicable Rules of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Legal

Investigators

Scenario (Criminal)

Specifics to the Rules of Professional Conduct (Investigators)

Pretexting for Investigative Purposes

Five Qualities of a Professional Investigator

Equivocal Legal Investigations and Subject Assessment

Chronic and Acute Subject Assessment Factors in ELIs

The Legal Investigator’s Relationship with Families

Conducting Comprehensive Background Investigations

Introduction

Scenario—Hit and Run

Examples of What Can Be Found in Public Records

Tips and Techniques

Crash Course on Forensic Photography

Introduction

Recommended Equipment

Highlights of Recommended Policy

Key Purposes of Forensic Photography

Proper Photographic Techniques

Improving Techniques and Results

Protocols of the Forensic Photographer (Including Law Enforcement)

Recording, Archiving, and Distribution of Images

Enhancing vs. Manipulating Images

Courtroom and Evidence

Conclusion

Reviewing and Comprehending Autopsy Reports

Introduction

An Overview of Death Investigation

Autopsy Report Format and Contents

Nonconforming Autopsy Reports

What to Look For

Investigative Considerations

Conclusion

Introduction to Common Composite Scenarios: Using This Investigative Protocol and Reporting

Investigating Nursing Home and Elder Deaths (and Abuse)

Case Initiation and Assignments

Incident Synopsis

Key Facilities, Agencies, and Persons

Social History

Medical History Summary

Medical and Incident Records Review

Other Records Reviewed

Incident Witnesses

Staff Professional Disciplinary Actions

Interviews

Investigative Summary

Exposure

Incident to Death Determination

Scenario Conclusion

Equivocal Death Analysis and Investigation

Case Initiation

Incident Synopsis

Identification and Assessment

Photographs

Description of the Scenes

Social History and Victimology

Medical History

Case Investigation

Scenario Conclusion

Investigating Motor Vehicle Collisions

Case Initiation and Assignments

Incident Synopsis

Collision Scene Description

Persons of Interest

Scene Photography and Videography

Interview Summaries

Attachments to This Report

Additional Information

Pending

Additional Recommendations

Summary

Scenario Conclusion

Criminal Defense—Felony Assault and Sex Assault

Case Initiation and Assignments

Incident Synopsis

Prosecuting Attorney Discovery

Persons of Interest

Investigative Review of Discovery Witnesses

Evidence Analysis

Scene Photography and Videography

Description of the Scenes

Social History and Victimology

Medical History

Interview Summaries (Transcripts Are Attached)

Audio Recordings Retention and Distribution

Other Records Reviewed

Additional Information

Case Investigation/Investigative Findings

Pending

Additional Recommendations

Summary

Scenario Conclusion

Glossary

Appendix A: The Legal Investigator Defined

Appendix B: Miranda Warning and Waiver

Appendix C: Incident Scene Investigation Protocol

Appendix D: Criminal Investigation Tips in Crimes

Against Persons

Appendix E: Records for Basic Background Checks

Appendix F: Fact-Finding Investigation Report

Appendix G: Agency Policy for Forensic/Evidentiary

Digital Photography

Appendix H: Video and Photograph Log

Appendix I: Medical and Investigative Records Release—

HIPAA Compliant

Appendix J: Confidential Medical Records Request Fax

Appendix K: Helpful Information for Reviewing and

Comprehending Autopsy Reports

Appendix L: Forensic Autopsy Report

Appendix M: Full Body, Male, Anterior and Posterior Views

Appendix N: Professional Codes of Ethics

Appendix O: Recommended Reading and Reference Books

Acronyms

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Beers, CLI Dean a
Dean A. Beers, CLI, formed his legal investigative agency in 1987, quickly becoming a leading and innovative provider of investigative, legal, and trial support services. His services include incident and scene investigations, causation of injuries and death, photography, videography, interviews, evidence collection, records and reports reviews, statement analysis, and many other related services. Beers has lectured extensively and is a regular contributing editor to The Legal Investigator, a publication of the National Association of Legal Investigators.

Dean A. Beers, CLI, formed his legal investigative agency in 1987, quickly becoming a leading and innovative provider of investigative, legal, and trial support services. His services include incident and scene investigations, causation of injuries and death, photography, videography, interviews, evidence collection, records and reports reviews, statement analysis, and many other related services. Beers has lectured extensively and is a regular contributing editor to The Legal Investigator, a publication of the National Association of Legal Investigators.