Practical methods for legal investigations : concepts and protocols in civil and criminal cases / Dean A. Beers.

CONTENTS

What is a professional legal investigator --
the professional legal investigator
Five qualities of a professional legal investigator
the passionate search for the facts
e.tc

Stage one : prepare --
introduction
records and reports
research
scene
photography
interviews
transition to inquire stage

Stage two : inquire --
introduction
records and reports
research
scene
photography
interviews
backgrounds
expanding the investigation
request more information
transition to analyze stage

Stage three : analyze --
introduction
records and reports
research
scene
photography
interviews
overall analysis and transition to document stage

Stage four : document --
introduction
evidentiary discovery and disclosures
attorney-client
legal investigator's work product
transition to report stage

Stage five : report --
introduction
identification
case initiation or case studies
incident synopsis
provided information
discovery or disclosure
witness or persons of interest
backgrounds of involved parties and witnesses
e.tc

Understanding the completion of this investigative protocol --
introduction
prepare
inquire
analyze
document
report
the legal investigator

The 80/20 rule of investigation (and all things related) --
introduction
prepare
inquire
analyze
document
report

Rules and ethics as agent for attorneys --
ethics and professional licensing
ethics and rules of evidence
common rules of evidence
e.tc

Equivocal legal investigations and subject assessment --

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
e.tc

Reviewing and comprehending autopsy reports --
introduction
an overview of death investigation
autopsy report format and contents
e.tc

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
e.tc

Equivocal death analysis and investigation --
case initiation
incident synopsis
identification and assessment
photographs
e.tc

Investigating motor vehicle collisions --
case initiation and assignments
incident synopsis
collision scene description
e.tc

Criminal defense : felony assault and sex assault.
case initiation and assignment
incident synopsis
prosecuting attorney discovery
persons of interest
e.tc

Includes bibliographical references (p. 339-340) and index 343-358