Colorado Investigative Development Institute
CIDI 2025
March 21-22, 2025
A Zoom Event
Topics and speakers
Dean Beers
Time is Money – Bending Space and Time
Erica Davis
Background Basics
George Carey
Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) – An Overview
Dale Pugh
Attorney - Investigation Relations
Dina Gaspari
Building a Profitable PI Business
Rod Gagnon
The Basics of SkipTracing
Lindsey Paison
Vetting Clients: Why It’s Important and How to do it Effectively
Tan Smyth
Analyzing Public records
Jordan Smith
Basic Fraud Investigations
The event is perfect for brand-new investigators, as well as seasoned investigators seeking to bolster their understanding of foundational knowledge of investigations.
PPIAC Members: $99.00
Guests: $179.00
Our presenters:
Dean Beers, Associates in Forensic Investigations
Dean founded the agency in October of 1987. A longstanding career, and experience, that is rare in the industry. Since 2008 he has specialized, with his Wife Karen, in Expert Consultations and Legal Investigations nationwide in Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation. Together they developed the Certified Forensic Death Investigator (CFDI) Program exclusively for Criminal Defense Investigators.
Presenting: Time is Money – Bending Space and Time
You can't squeeze blood from a turnip, and you can't get more than 24 hours from a day. Or can you?
Learn to use - or better use - simple concepts and resources to be more efficient in your day, which can also create more billable time.
Erica Davis, Davis and Associates Professional Background Services LLC
Erica Davis is one of the owners of Davis & Associates Professional Background Services, LLC. Davis & Associates was founded in 2006 and specializes in pre-employment background checks, personal injury investigations and criminal defense. Before starting in private investigations Erica spent 17 years in law enforcement working for Boulder County Sheriff and Longmont Police. When not working Erica loves spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, reading and traveling.
Presenting: Background Basics
We will cover the very basics of a background check, such as where to check for civil and criminal records. Local, state and federal records and when you can check each of these types of records. We will touch on local, state and federal laws and regulations that cover background checks and why there is a big difference in a pre-employment background check and a due diligence background check.
It may not sound sexy but at some point in EVERY investigator's career they are asked to complete some type of background check and you MUST know the legal and proper way before moving forward.
George Carey, Technical Surveillance Solutions, LLC
George is retired from a 30-year law enforcement career in California. After retiring he provided training to law enforcement, military special operations personnel, and explosive ordnance technicians in technical building entry skills for 17 years. For the past 17 years George has operated Technical Surveillance Solutions, a business focused solely on electronic surveillance countermeasures services for government, corporations, high net worth individuals, and private parties with concerns regarding privacy protection. He also subcontracts to several security consultants and private investigators when their client concerns involve electronic surveillance.
Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) – An Overview
This training will provide a brief overview of what TSCM is, how electronic surveillance attacks are conducted, the types of electronic devices that are commonly used, the types of professional TSCM equipment and how they expedite the physical search of an area of concern. There will also be a discussion of emerging attack strategies.
Dale Pugh, Dale Pugh Investigations
Special Agent - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Director of Security - PepsiCo and Quiznos Subs
Grand Jury Investigator - Denver District Attorney
Deputy District Attorney - Adams and Weld County
Civil Trial Attorney - 191 jury trials
Private Investigator- 60 Law Firm clients
Attorney - Investigator Relations
Communications
Ethics Rules
Services
Billing
Client Development
Dina Gaspari, Dasciad Intelligence
Dina has degrees in Journalism and Business (Accounting). She began her career as an investigative journalist for The Sunday Times, uncovering government corruption in South Africa. She was Director of Research for Kroll & Associates (NYSE: KROL) and Director for the Corporate Investigative Solutions division of Aon (NYSE: AON). In 2010, she founded Dasciad Intelligence LLC, providing background checks, litigation support and asset investigations in the U.S. and internationally. The company is based in Ridgway, CO, where Dina enjoys family, skiing, and being a member of a local Improv group called The Play-Dohs.
Presenting: Building a profitable PI business
Learn fool proof methods for growing a solid client base for your PI services, developing a skilled team, and other key administrative and legal considerations in growing your business. This talk is for anyone who is currently building their business, at any stage, or who is considering beginning a business in investigative services.
Rod Gagnon
Rod Gagnon has been a professional investigator for over 40 years. He has extensive experience in financial investigations, asset tracing, and holds the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential. He is passionate about finding hidden assets and exploring new ways to find them. Currently he is the President of the California Association of Judgment Professionals and Past-President of the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado. He lives with his wife in Colorado, along with his two adult children, five beautiful grandchildren, one blue-eyed husky, and three passive-aggressive cats.
Skiptracing for Private Investigators: The Basics is an introductory course designed to teach private investigators the fundamental techniques of locating individuals who have intentionally or unintentionally disappeared. This class covers essential skiptracing methods, including database research, social media tracking, public records analysis, and advanced internet search strategies. Participants will learn how to verify information and leverage professional tools while adhering to legal and ethical standards. Whether you're new to the field or looking to sharpen your investigative skills, this class provides a solid foundation for effective skiptracing.
Lindsey Paison, Dark Knight Private Investigation
Lindsey Paison is the owner of Dark Knight Private Investigation in Denver, Colorado. She specializes in complex process service, skip tracing, and family law/civil investigations and surveillance. Lindsey is the current President of the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado, and the past Vice President of Membership.
Presenting: Vetting Clients: Why It’s Important and How to do it Effectively
This will be an in depth look for new investigators as to what the vetting process for new clients of PI’s and why it’s crucial for PI’s. We will look into how to vet clients properly and effectively, and examine real life examples of intakes with clients where vetting the client saved the PI. We will also look at how vetting clients helps PI’s maintain professional investigations, and remain ethical.
Robin Brown
Robin Brown is a USAF Veteran Pilot, a retired Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI. He is in his 50th year of service to the FBI, now as a 1099 Contractor. He is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of physical and process security. While a Director with the University of Colorado Police, helped many Colorado schools with safety and security issues. Married 55 years with 22 grandchildren. A bookaholic with 3500 volumes in his library. Love the PPIAC and want to support the incoming generation.
Getting Started in the Business
Before you launch into investigating and taking in work, you’ll need to address certain basics before accepting cases. Mr. Brown will address those in this presentation.
Tan Smyth, Dedicated Investigations, LLC
Tan has been a professional investigator since 2007. She specializes in Due Diligence, Witness Interviews and statements, and OSINT. The thrill of the hunt encourages her to not only find current and relevant training, but to urge others to do so. Tan is the Director of Training for PPIAC.
Presenting: Analyzing public records
In this section, we will go over public records that are common in almost all states and counties, how to access them, and what may be revealed.
Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith is a Certified Fraud Examiner and the founder of Hyperion Investigative Consulting, specializing in criminal defense, fraud, and financial investigations. He has over a decade of investigative experience, having conducted more than 2,000 interviews and worked on cases leading to indictments, convictions, exonerations, and dismissals. In addition to his private sector work, he serves as the Director of Global Intelligence & Strategic Technology at The Exodus Road, where he supports anti-human trafficking efforts worldwide. A former U.S. Marine, Jordan has collaborated with federal and international law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and Thai and Philippine authorities. His expertise extends to cyber investigations, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and advisory consulting for legal teams.
Presenting: Unmasking Deception: A Practical Guide to Fraud Investigations
Dive into the world of fraud investigations and learn the essential skills to detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent activities. This training will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to uncover hidden schemes, gather evidence, and bring perpetrators to justice. Join us to sharpen your investigative instincts and become a formidable force against fraud!
Presenters and topics are not guaranteed. No refunds.
PPIAC reserves the right of refusal.