COVER
STORY:
A PRIMER ON PRINTS
By Louis L. Akin, LPI
A cursory look at the anatomy of a fingerprint pattern and of the processes
used for collecting, comparing, and classifying prints that may help defense
lawyers and investigators who need to be able to successfully challenge fingerprint
identification.
FEATURES:
TACTICS FOR THE INTERROGATION OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST TERRORISTS
By Philip A. Mullenix
How a first responder, whether law enforcement officer or security
professional, should approach the interrogation of an Islamic
fundamentalist by analysis of the terrorist’s training, his commitment, and his vulnerability.
INVESTIGATING THE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CASES
By Grace Elting Castle
What you need to know if you are going to investigate what has become
a silent epidemic that needs well-trained investigators to assist
in determining cause, damages, and malpractice issues.
TARGETING TASERS
Use of stun guns drawing lawsuits and big-money settlements
By Michael Koryta
Professional investigators may soon be provided with new business opportunities,
assisting trial attorneys in lawsuits against police departments that have
used stun guns for non-lethal force.
DEPARTMENTS:
COURTHOUSE CRISIS
The Atlanta courthouse shootings focused attention on security problems in
state courthouses
The ten new measures that need to be followed to improve courtroom safety.
Excerpt: Washington, DC - March 16, 2005 – In
a meeting at the National Press Club, the National Center for State
Courts (NCSC) announced a new security blueprint for America’s
state courts, emphasizing critical review of operating procedures
and facilities, planning, funding, and new courthouse design. The
recent tragedy in Atlanta put a new emphasis on action and increased
funding to improve security in state courthouses...
STOPPING SUICIDE ATTACKS THROUGH
TRAINING
A new training program for first responders in the event that a suicide bomber
attacks inside the US using both predetonation and post-detonation responses.
Excerpt: According to federal officials, suicide
bombers are likely to attack in the US. A successful suicide bombing
could inflict grave physical and psychological damage to the target
population. Emergency responders must train to protect their communities
against such vicious acts, as well as to prepare themselves to
respond to potential suicide bombings. Emergency Film Group of
Edgartown, MA, has collaborated with terrorism experts...
CLAIMANT INTERVIEWS:
A Valuable Tool When Conducted Properly
When conducted properly, claimant interviews hold many advantages because insurance
vendors are able to obtain current information, make personal observations,
obtain photos for identification purposes, document evidence, and much more.
Excerpt: Insurance companies have a wide variety
of tools available to try and obtain the information necessary to
evaluate claims. Among them are background investigations, claimant
interviews, public records requests, Social Security Administration
records, Internal Revenue Service records, claims reporting databases,
Internet searching and surveillance. While all these are useful investigative
techniques, claimant interviews are one of the most valuable tools
insurance companies have at their disposal...
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LEROY COOK
By Jane Cracraft
The profile of a private investigator who promoted the use of technology in
the field and the events of his life that led to where he is today.
Excerpt: Far-sighted Leroy Cook started teaching
other investigators about computers, e-mail and databanks more than
20 years ago. He was one of the first to urge investigators to share
information with each other. He founded ION, Incorporated, an agency
that has referred more than 30,000 assignments to investigators...
TOP TEN RURAL SURVEILLANCE
By Cynthia Potts
Tips that could help any investigator conducting surveillance in rural areas.
Excerpt: An unfamiliar vehicle circling around rural
roads will draw unwanted attention, so verify your route using MapQuest
or other internet searches. 911 maps outline every road in their
coverage area...
EXPERTS DISCUSS STUN GUNS
A discussion with experts from medical, law enforcement, policy, academia,
and industry on the latest issues associated with stun guns.
Excerpt: On February 23-24, 2005, experts from
medical, law enforcement, policy, academia, and industry discussed
the latest issues associated with stun guns. Currently, over 100,000
law enforcement personnel use stun devices which are designed to
temporarily incapacitate non-compliant individuals, while minimizing
harm. The forum was sponsored by the Potomac Institute for Policy
Studies and Aegis Industries, Inc. “The Potomac Institute
brought together some of the best minds in the nation to discuss
this issue,” said Dr. Dennis McBride, President of the Potomac
Institute...
TO TELL THE TRUTH
An Interview with independent polygraph examiner Lawson Hagler
By Shaun Kaufman and Colleen Collins
Excerpt: Lawson Hager shares his knowledge and thoughts about
the current practices and future trends in the polygraph examination field.
Colorado investigative agency Highlands Investigations recently worked on a
case with Lawson Hagler, MSW, an independent, clinical polygraph examiner and
owner of Accountability Polygraph Services, Inc. in Englewood, Colorado. In
this interview, he shares his knowledge and thoughts about the current practices
and future trends in the polygraph examination field.
GADGETS, GIMMICKS & TRICKS OF THE TRADE
By Julius “Buddy” Bombet, Associate Editor, PI Magazine
New technology, equipment and advice that every PI should know.
OUR
PROFESSION’S SHAME
By Francis D. “Frank” Ritter, CLI, CII
A look at the growing problem of small attendance at investigator conferences
and seminars and how it reflects on the profession.
Excerpt: I have been to investigator conferences
and seminars as an attendee. I have been to them as part of the
planning committee. I have attended as a vendor, and been honored
to be a speaker. In fact, since January 2001 I have attended 69
conferences and been a speaker at 24 of them.
THE CHOICEPOINT HEIST
The unfolding story of how criminals were able to steal data
and personal information on over 100,000 consumers around
the country.
Excerpt: The story reads like a modern movie
thriller: Con artists infiltrate a major corporation and rip
off its assets. But it’s all too real, and the story is still unfolding as
federal investigations are mounted and the U.S. Congress holds
hearings. In February, the Atlanta-based company ChoicePoint (NYSE:
CPS), the largest purveyor of consumer data in the U.S., confirmed
that criminals were able to acquire business accounts and proceeded
to steal data and personal information on over 100,000 consumers
around the country...
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