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Anyone Can View Your Office, Your Home, Your Home Office:Google

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Lina Maini

Our friend, Bill Myers (www.bmyers.com) publishes a weekly newsletter (marketing techniques, product development….) that is just invaluable for any business. Along with this service, Bill sends out a weekly tip email that we’ve always found helpful.

This week’s Myers’ tip hit the nail on the head regarding the topic matter we had in mind: the scope of Goggle’s down-to-the-street maps of practically any address.

A must-read for any professional who maintains a home based office as well – as the majority do. It is easy for anyone to simply look up the professional’s name (for e.g. on www.argali.com) and obtain a very close up view of that person’s home.

From Bill’s weekly tips:

Google Maps has just updated their street view system which
allows anyone to get a ground level 360 degree photo tour of a
growing number of addresses in the US and Europe.

To get a street view, you simply enter an address in the
http://maps.google.com search box and click ‘search maps’.

Then click on the street view icon, and you can see what the
address looks like from the street level. You can even use your
arrow keys to move up and down the street to get a better view.

This can be very handy if you are considering buying or renting a
home – as you can use street view to check out the neighborhood
and in some cases see the neighbors.

For example, you might not want to live in the neighborhood where
this street view photo was snapped –
http://www.bmyers.com/snip/106.htm

Street view can also be used to check out a business address to
see exactly what kind of business you are ordering from.

For example, the street view image of a much advertised New York
based camera discounter should give you pause. See the photo at
http://www.bmyers.com/snip/107.htm to know what I mean.

Google street view doesn’t cover the entire world – yet. But
they cover a surprising number of cities (large and small) in
many countries throughout the world, and each day they add
hundreds of miles of more images.

It’s probably a good idea to check to see if Google has a street
view of your home or business to make sure it doesn’t invade your
privacy or put your business in a bad light.

To view Google street view, visit http://maps.google.com and
search for any street address. Then click the ‘street view’ link
if it is shown.

BNI Operatives: Street smart: Web savvy.

As Always, Stay Safe,

Lina

Filed under: google. street views, invasion of privacy | Leave a Comment »

You’re On Vacation: The Burglars Aren’t. Security Tips

Posted on June 22, 2008 by Lina Maini

The school year is coming to a close next week here in the Northeast, and the hostage situation at the pumps aside, most families have planned vacations this summer. The etymology of the word vacation itself : from the Latin root vac, is to render something/someone “empty” (vacuum, vacate, vacuous…). Somewhat ironic in the case of a home burglary during a family’s away time.

In today’s Bulletin we are going to give you the standard “what to do to make your home look occupied while you are away” tips and a few more up-to-date security pointers: (Also, the above video, aside from being highly entertaining, likewise contains solid security tips re: burglary prevention during your vacation.)

Traditional Tips:

• Stop mail and newspapers, and ask a trusted neighbor to pick up any deliveries that might be made while you are gone.

• Place several lamps and radio/TV in various parts of your home to automatic timers, so they turn on and off at appropriate times (vary the timers also by the unit itself so that the living room light does not come on at exactly 7 p.m. every night…).

• Arrange to have your lawn mowed (or sidewalk shoveled) while you are away.

• Don’t leave keys in obvious exterior places like in the mail box or under a flower pot or door mat. Leave your house key with a trusted neighbor.

• Instruct your trusted neighbor to report unusual activity to the police – and not to wait until they can contact you first. You may be holed up in a Carlsbad cavern for several nights or an in-house therapy clinic following a runn-in’ with the bulls in Pamplona.

• Have a neighbor park their car in your driveway overnight (and move it around from day to day).

• Don’t leave notes indicating your absence.

• Many security experts advise unplugging the electric garage door opener while you are away. We don’t. A burglar’s scanner can easily detect whether the device is activated. Simply place it too on a variable timer.

• Make sure all your door and window locks are working and in use.

• Turn off or turn down your telephone ringer. A phone ringing endlessly is a clue to a would-be burglar that no one is home. This is especially important if you are living in an apartment building where burglars may be more likely to hear your phone ringing. Call forward your incoming calls in your absence.

• Unless you have reason to believe your piping system is in bad shape and may burst in inclement weather, do not turn off your main water valve before you leave. Fortunately, technological advances in utility services now offer scanning options that don’t require exterior meters on houses – an inactive one a sure clue to a burglar that the home residents may be away.

Contemporary Tips:
• Do not activate automatic “away” responses from your email – business and personal – addresses. And especially ones with specific dates of your absence. You might as well inquire into ad rates in the NYT.

• Further on the preceding tip, activate a disposal WiFi card from your vacation spot. Repeatedly answering your emails from your iPhone, Wing or Blackberry, by definition, signifies that you are away from your normal communication access points. (Yesterday’s sad-sack street burglars have been replaced by snipers – they target specific homes, can obtain email addresses easily.. e.g. most business emails are comprised of the person’s first initial and full last name@theirlawfirm, Email read times can easily be tracked – yes, including “Internet” ones. A cleverly written subject line can pique someone’s curiosity enough into opening a “pigeon” email. Today’s smart burglar considers this time in tracking you a lucrative investment.)

• Have your email/snail mail forwarded to a virtual post office. They can hold, forward, scan or even read your email/mail to you. Big advantage: the forwarding is discreet and undetectable.

Generally, we tend to believe and trust in the good of the vast majority of people; being smart and proactive with your home and valuables while you are away helps to maintain that attitude.

BNI Operatives: Street Smart: Web Savvy.

As always, be safe,

Lina

Filed under: burglar, burglary, doors, email, home invasion, internet, keys, locks, mail, meter, neighbor, timers, vacation, Windows | Leave a Comment »

MedMal Research – It wasn’t the Right Leg??

Posted on June 16, 2008 by Lina Maini

This Week; Focus On: It Wasn’t the Right Leg?? MedMal Research

Recently, BNI was asked to research the existence of directed protocol for the use of catgut v. synthetic sutures in the case of a surgical stapler misfire in a colectomy operation gone seriously wrong. Of course, all of the law professionals recognize the implied question in that case description.

The reason it was stated that way is that the surgeon involved insisted that no protocol existed and that procedure in a surgical stapler misfire is at the surgeon’s discretion. Well, not so, according to the Food and Drug Administration; the governing authority regarding medical instrumentation regulation. The FDA is notified by the surgical instrument manufacturer of all reported surgical stapler misfires. The surgeon in question apparently believed that the operative word in this directive is “reported”. He stated he had not reported the misfire. Contact with the manufacturer indicated that, in that they train the surgeons in the use of the instruments, there is indeed a procedure established and that must be adhered to for a surgeon to be qualified to use the specific instrument. Misfires were specifically addressed and sensibly so, from a liability standpoint.

Unfortunately, that is not the most significant aspect of this case. Said surgeon then proceeded to use catgut sutures which are specifically contraindicated for the procedure performed, due to the infection development and proliferation potential with natural materials. His defense argument on that point was that choice of suture material, again, as the misfire reporting, was at the surgeon’s discretion.

Perhaps for the plaintiff counsel’s own knowledge, while not admissible, research for previous malpractice filings and settlements (positive) for this surgeon was also conducted. Not surprisingly, “surgeon’s discretion” was cited for similar prior situations.

There is now a 45 year old man tied to a colostomy bag because of said “discretion”. But at least there is now the certain knowledge that protocol does exist and, hopefully, will be fully enforced to prevent these unnecessary and horrific injuries.

In past editions, the physical aspects of investigative work has often been addressed (i.e. field investigation, site survey procedure, evidence collection…). Today’s investigator must also be very skilled at uncovering electronically stored information.

BNI investigators: Street smart; net savvy.

I look forward to any comments you may have or and questions I can answer for you.

Sincerely,

Lina M. Maini
Editor, The Beacon Bulletin
CEO, Beacon Network Investigations, Inc.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

911 Transcripts Decoded – What Is a 10-86 or 10-100??

Posted on June 9, 2008 by Lina Maini

Occasionally a trial lawyer will have the need to read 911 transcripts. Certain information, such as caller’s identity, addresss and reason for the emergency call, may come across clearly but other embedded code correspondence may not. This week, we provide you with a list of ten codes – cop lingo for their field activity.

A brief history of ten codes: Ten-codes, properly known as ten signals, are code words used to represent common phrases in voice communication, particularly by law enforcement and in Citizen’s Band (CB) radio transmissions. Ten-codes were developed in the 1940s at a time when police radio channels were limited, to reduce use of speech on the radio. Credit to the originator goes to Charles “Charlie” Hopper. He was the Communications Director at the Illinois State Police, District 10, located in Urbana, Illinois. Hopper was involved in radio for many years and saw a need to abbreviate radio transmissions on State Police bands. The codes were expanded in 1974by the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO. They have historically been widely used by law enforcement officers in North America.(www.wikipedia.com)

10-Codes:

* 10-1 poor reception
* 10-2 good reception
* 10-3 stop transmitting
* 10-4 message received, affirmative, ok
* 10-5 relay this information to ___.
* 10-6 busy
* 10-7 out of service
* 10-8 in service
* 10-9 please repeat your message
* 10-10 negative
* 10-12 standby
* 10-13 civilians present and listening
* 10-15 en route to station with suspect
* 10-18 urgent
* 10-19 return to station
* 10-20 specify location/my location is ___.
* 10-21 place a phone call to ___.
* 10-22 disregard
* 10-23 stand by on this frequency (also “On scene” in some areas)
* 10-27 vehicle registration request
* 10-28 arrests/warrants on driver’s license
* 10-29 arrests/ warrants on the vehicle
* 10-32 gun
* 10-33 emergency traffic follows, hold routine messages
* 10-34 frequency open (cancels 10-33)
* 10-36 what is the correct time of day?
* 10-39 false alarm, premises was occupied
* 10-40 false alarm, no activity, premises appears secure
* 10-41 begin watch
* 10-42 end watch
* 10-45 fueling vehicle
* 10-49 en route to assignment
* 10-50 accident
* 10-51 tow truck needed
* 10-52 ambulance needed
* 10-53 road blocked at ___.
* 10-54 animals on highway
* 10-55 security check
* 10-57 hit-and-run accident
* 10-58 direct traffic
* 10-59 escort
* 10-60 squad in vicinity, lock-out
* 10-61 personnel in area
* 10-62 reply to message
* 10-63 clear to copy info?
* 10-64 message for delivery
* 10-65 net message assignment
* 10-66 net message cancellation
* 10-67 person calling for help
* 10-68 dispatch message
* 10-69 message received
* 10-70 prowler, fire alarm
* 10-71 gun involved, advise nature of fire
* 10-72 shooting, fire progress report
* 10-73 smoke report
* 10-74 negative
* 10-75 in contact with ___.
* 10-76 en route
* 10-77 ETA ___.
* 10-78 need assistance
* 10-79 bomb threat, coroner’s case
* 10-80 bomb has exploded
* 10-81 breathalyzer report
* 10-82 reserve lodging
* 10-83 work school crossing at ___.
* 10-84 if meeting ___, advise ETA
* 10-85 delay due to ___.
* 10-86 officer on-duty
* 10-87 pickup
* 10-88 present phone number of ___.
* 10-89 bomb threat
* 10-90 bank alarm at ___.
* 10-91 pick up prisoner
* 10-92 improperly parked vehicle
* 10-93 blockage
* 10-94 drag racing
* 10-95 prisoner/subject in custody
* 10-96 psych patient
* 10-97 check signal (“On Scene” in CA and other areas)
* 10-98 prison/jail break
* 10-99 wanted/stolen record
* 10-100 dead body
* 10-200 alarm

Bulletin’s site of the week: gizmodo.com. Best tech site online.

BNI Investigators: Street smart; Web savvy.

Stay safe,

Lina

Filed under: 10-codes, 911, call, cop talk, copier, emergency code, lingo, ten-codes, transcript, trial lawyer | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Finding the Unfindable – Transient Subject Locates

Posted on June 1, 2008 by Lina Maini

The task most often assigned to investigators is tracking down subjects. The proverbial papertrail: telephone records, address histories, voter registrations, professional licenses, , civil and criminal court filings, Motor Vehicle Department records, credit card records, Social Security data…, will, in a majority of circumstances, return with the subject’s current and valid contact information. But what do you do if the subject is simply not in the mainstream – for whatever reason: joblessness, homeless, mental illness, “on the run”…. What then?

The success of such a search depends on several factors including the information provided to the investigator and the investigator’s own skills and tenacity.

We’ve put together a checklist for locating transient witnesses that has generally worked:

1. Interview family and friends. (Request last known contact, any indication of location…)

2. Upon developing location leads, check with local and adjoining police departments.

3. Check with area hospitals and morgues.

4. Call the local Salvation Army center.

5. Contact the YMCA, YWCA.

6. Call privately funded charity organizations in the area.

7. Reach out to local plasma centers (many transient subjects give blood for money)

8. Identify local day worker locations.

9. Recon area bus and train stations.

and finally, you can go digital:

10. YouTube a video, or Flickr a picture of the subject, if family and or friends can provide such.

Most importantly, though, when a case first enters a law firm, as much personal information. contact and emergency contact info should be obtained as possible. Our experience has borne out that someone always knows something.

Be safe,

Lina

Filed under: homeless, jobless, locate, subject, subject locate, transient, video | Leave a Comment »

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