Backgrounds, Records and Case Research

As a core component of AKI’s Investigative Expert Method, this course will empower you
with the knowledge, skills, and insider tips and tricks of seasoned investigators, so that
you can handle backgrounds, records, and case research confidently.

Format: Self-paced

Duration: 13 learning hours

Recommended weekly study: 2 hours

Overview

A criminal defense investigator must tirelessly pursue every piece of information, not just to uncover the truth,
but to identify what will make the biggest impact to achieve the best possible outcome for their client.

But how do you know what information to look for and where to find it?

Some information is easy to find, and is yours for the asking. Other facts require tenacity and experience to uncover.

It can take years to learn the ropes of handling backgrounds, knowing what records to request and how to obtain them
efficiently, and knowing how to do online case research in a way that yields the results you need. This course provides
foundational knowledge, hands-on practice, and nuggets of wisdom from experienced investigators that will give you the
edge in your investigations.

What Topics Will You Cover?

The modules in this course do a deep dive into the following topics:

1. Obtaining a Background. Delve into backgrounds—what they are, why they’re essential,
as well as interpreting background database reports and transforming raw data into actionable insights. Learn how to positively identify your subject and avoid gathering intel
on the wrong person.

2. Locating a Witness. Explore the myriad ways of finding subjects and honing in on their most likely location before driving all the way to the wrong address.

3. Criminal History Investigations. Discover the best hacks for finding and requesting
court records and gathering criminal histories that tell a story. Whether it helps or hurts
your case, having the complete picture gets you ready for whatever comes next.

4. Collecting Records. Here, our comprehensive guide to records collection will help you
to know what records exist, the difference between public and private records, and how to make airtight requests using our ready-to-use templates. We also cover strategies to avoid potential landmines—you’ll thank us later.

5. Internet Reconnaissance. Learn about the wealth of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
that is available at your fingertips to help with your case research—without the fruitless Google searches that yield nothing useful.

6. Social Media Reconnaissance. Make the best possible use of this gold mine for investigators, while navigating the murky waters of online ethics safely.

7. Subject Analysis. Bring all the facts about a subject together into a cohesive profile to
give the defense team a clear understanding of the person and their story for building a compelling case.

What Will You Achieve?

By the end of this course you will be able to:

1. Conduct a thorough background investigation into a subject.

2. Locate people using the most effective tools.

3. Request and obtain different kinds of records effectively.

4. Perform in-depth online investigations, using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
and social media tools.

5. Draft a subject analysis based on all your research and background investigations.

Upon course completion, you’ll receive a certificate and become an
Expert Method Background Certified Investigator.

Who Is The Course For?

This course is perfect for investigators, paralegals, attorneys and other
legal professionals in the public and private sectors.

Who Will You Learn With?

This course has been developed by Amber Kaset and her growing team at AK Investigations.

Amber founded AK Investigations in 2010, after seven years at the Metropolitan Public Defender in Nashville
where she worked as a criminal defense investigator and interpreter. The agency began as a one-woman
operation in Nashville, TN, and has since grown to a team of multiple investigators with diverse skills and specialties.

Amber and her team provide investigative services, training, and consulting nationwide, assisting defense teams
and investigators in elevating their practice. They have handled over 1,000 cases, including high-profile white-collar
crimes and civil lawsuits, hundreds of murders, and over thirty death penalty cases across multiple states, and
are dedicated to providing thoughtful, high-quality support tailored to the unique needs of each case,
regardless of its complexity or the client's circumstances.

All of this means that this course is giving you the benefit of more than a
thousand cases’ worth of experience, fast-tracking your journey to success.

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