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Archive for October, 2010
SUSPICIOUS SUICIDES
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Supicious Suicides
There are few life events more painful and far-reaching than a suicide. A suicide not only brings suffering to loved ones, it brings shame and guilt to those with the closest contact to the victim. But . . . what if the suicide isn’t a suicide? Can this same sad event be interpreted in another way? Can it be an accident? Can it be a homicide? Who decides? What factors are considered? What are the pros and cons of either determination? Then there are the myths surrounding suicide that leave grieving family and friends with questions. These questions and more will be included in the discussion with seasoned private investigators Dean Beers and Don Johnson, both of whom have been involved in conducting investigations. LISTEN NOW
DEAN BEERS
Dean Beers, a private investigator and expert in criminal defense homicide and civil equivocal death investigations, is certified as a Medicolegal Death Investigator, has served as a forensic autopsy assistant, and has extensive background in medicolegal-forensic and factual investigations. He authored ‘Professional Locate Investigations’ and recently completed ‘Practical Methods for Legal Investigations: Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases’ that will be available in January 2011. Dean is a Certified Legal Investigator, VP Membership of the Professional Private Investigators Assoc. of Colorado, member of the National Association of Legal Investigators and is a contributing author to ‘The Legal Investigator’ with his ‘Forensic Focus’ column. He also holds memberships in the National Council of Investigation and Security Services, World Association of Detectives, National Association of Medical Examiners, International Association for Identification, and Mensa USA.
Dean A. Beers, CLI
Forensic Investigators of Colorado, LLC
(970) 691-0813 / (970) 372-4717 fax
beersda@Forensic-Investigators.com
www.Forensic-Investigators.com
Newsletter and articles index: www.MedicoLegalPI.com.
Practical Methods for Legal Investigations: Concepts and Protocols in Civil and Criminal Cases – - Go to www.bit.ly/Book-Order (For monthly contest to win free book go to www.bit.ly/Book-Contest)
DON JOHNSON
Following US Air Force Intelligence Agency active duty as a Russian voice and Morse intercept analyst, Don Johnsonworked as an executive assistant to in-house counsel where he processed and investigated contract violation claims. Don has owned Bloomington, Indiana’s Trace Investigations for the past 20 years, is a Certified Legal Investigator and also worked for the Monroe County, Indiana Coroner’s office conducting death scene investigations, Don attended Indiana University, has been trained in intelligence analysis and cryptology and received certification from the US Defense Language Institute. He serves on the Indiana Private Investigator & Security Guard Licensing Board, is a recipient of numerous awards, holds memberships in the National Association of Legal Investigators, ASIS International, National Assoc of Professional Background Screeners, and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Investigation & Security Services where he is editor of the NCISS Report.
Don Johnson
Trace Investigations, Inc.
Bloomington, Indiana
Articles by Don Johnson
Hanging Chad Forever: Investigating Autoerotic Asphyxia in a Suspicious Suicide
A case of suspicious suicide should raise questions for the investigator. Provides criteria for determining death during dangerous autoerotic practice http://www.pimagazine.com/books/BI64.htm
Suicide Determination in an Equivocal Death Investigation, a chapter in Advanced Forensic Civil Investigations available on Amazon or from the publisher, Lawyers & Judges Publishing Co., Tucson, 2000.
Suicide Warning Signs
- Talk of, or preoccupation with, suicide or death; threatening suicide; writing about death or suicide
- Signs of serious depression, including desperation; feelings of hopelessness; feeling no sense of purpose; loss of interest in things one used to care about; trouble sleeping
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Reckless behavior, increased risk-taking, irritability
- Making statements about life not being worth living, hating life, that the “world would be better off without me,” and similar feelings
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Feelings of rage or uncontrolled anger
- Seeking access to firearms, pills, or other methods to commit suicide
- Changing wills, preoccupation with putting one’s affairs in order
- Dramatic changes in personality
If you suspect suicidal thoughts in yourself or anyone, seek professional help immediately. Go to a clinic, emergency room, or psychiatric facility. Do not leave an individual alone who has expressed thoughts of suicide. In the United States, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
(Medical Author: Melissa Conrad St0ppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR) www.medicinenet.com
Suicide? Where Can People Go To Get Help?
American Association of Suicidology
http://www.suicidology.org
1-202-237-2280
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org
Community Awareness and Support Center (support for people affected by murder-suicide)
http://www.caascenter.org
Jason Foundation
http://www.jasonfoundation.com
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
1-866-SAFEYOUTH (1-866-723-3968)
http://www.safeyouth.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern time
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
http://www.samhsa.gov
Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (Span)
http://www.spanusa.org
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
http://www.yellowribbon.org/
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
http://www.mentalhealth.org/suicideprevention/
