Demonstrative Evidence / Trial Presentations Expert Witnesses: 21

Katherine Mainolfi Koppenhaver, a Board Certified Document Examiner, has been a document examiner for the past 40 years and has testified in court and deposition over 550 times. She has an international clientele. Her book, "Attorney's Guide to Document Examination," was published by Greenwood Press in 2002. Humana Press has recently released her latest book, Forensic Document Examination, Principles and Practice. She has a  support staff enabling her to handle cases in a timely manner.

Contact Forensic Document Examiners for:

• Examination of Questioned Documents
• List of 101 Places to Look for Handwriting Specimens
• Request Writing Forms and Instructions
• List of Publications
• Fee Agreement Contract
• Fee Schedule
• References

SERVICES: Audio and video recording authentication, enhancement, transcription, and analysis, including body worn camera and security video recordings. Acoustic forensic analysis, including audibility of warning signals, speech - voice comparison, and gunshot - weapon recording analysis (e.g., Taser, ShotSpotter).  Audio technology and patent expert witness/consultant. Forensic musicology analysis. Forensic field recording and analysis per ANSI and recognized standards.

EXPERTISE: Consultation in over 800 audio-video and acoustic forensic cases since 1987. Expert testimony over eighty times, in U.S. Federal and State courts including the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), and courts in Canada and International arbitration panels (World Bank-ICSID).

DEGREES/MEMBERSHIPS: Ph.D. UC San Diego (Computer Audio) 1987; Fellow, Audio Engineering Society (AES); Member, Society of Forensic Engineers and Scientists (SFES), Acoustical Society of America (ASA).

Dean A. Beers, CLI, CFDI-Expert, has been a legal investigator since October 1987 and a Medicolegal Death Investigator since 2002. His extensive experience in these areas is rare in the profession. Dean's clients benefit from a thorough methodology of reviewing official investigations conducted by law enforcement and coroner/medical examiner offices. This approach includes analyzing reports, records, and photographs to form detailed findings and opinions. 

As a deputy coroner investigator, Dean has personally investigated over 150 death scenes, assisted in over 400 autopsies, and participated in investigating nearly 600 non-autopsied cases.

Primary Areas of Expertise:

Background Experience - From late 2002 to mid-2008, Dean worked as a deputy coroner and autopsy assistant in Colorado medical examiner offices, following an internship and training period. Since 2008, he has partnered with his wife, Karen, specializing in expert medicolegal consultations and legal investigations across the United States. Their focus is on personal injury, negligence, and death cases in civil, criminal, and probate litigation. Over the years, he has provided favorable expert consultations to public defenders and alternate defense attorneys, helping secure positive life insurance benefit appeals. His expert testimony has been recognized in multiple courts covering fatal and non-fatal events.

Death and Serious Bodily Injury Investigations

Dean's work has also included handling more than 1,100 cases that were not taken for jurisdiction, as well as cases requiring the collaboration of multiple investigators. Additionally, Dean's expertise covers forensic investigations, such as bridging crime scene evidence with autopsy findings.

Dean's background includes over 5,000 hours of full-time experience specific to death investigations, injuries, and negligence, not counting internships or part-time work

Dr. John R. Black is a recognized expert with extensive experience in international, federal, and state courts on Lethal Force, Police Use of Force, Officer-Involved Shootings, and Civilian Self-Defense, blending forensic analysis with human-centered perspectives and systems thinking. Dr. Black employs a systems thinking approach that enables him to view incidents from multiple perspectives. He regularly speaks to Police leadership, investigators, lawyers, and organizations about how we think about the process of inquiry, our biases, and our sensemaking.

Litigation Support - Dr. Black is qualified as an expert witness in state and federal courts related to police practices, police use of force, decision-making, officer-involved shootings, police tactics, police training, incident command, and police / jail operations. He is also qualified with similar expertise for civilian self-defense and use of force events.

Expert in Use of Force & Lethal Force Incidents & Decision-Making

In cases involving force--lethal force, understanding decision-making is as critical as the facts themselves. Whether you are a defense attorney explaining your client’s actions or a prosecutor challenging them, you need an expert who integrates both events and decision-making processes. Dr. Black offers a unique approach, blending quantitative precision with qualitative insight into how individuals make sense of their world. he is a recognized expert with experience in international, federal, and state courts on lethal force, police use of force, officer-involved shootings, and civilian self-defense. He combines forensic analysis with human-centered perspectives, ensuring a balanced view that benefits both defense and prosecution.

Advanced Forensic Video and Qualitative Analysis

Video evidence often plays a pivotal role in determining the facts. Dr. Black is skilled in forensic video analysis, using Amped Five software to extract key details. What sets him apart is his ability to combine video analysis with qualitative thematic tools like Atlas.TI, understanding both what happened and how individuals interpreted their environment under stress.

Cognitive Interviewing and Human Performance Expertise

Dr. Black specializes in cognitive interviewing, exploring clients’ mindsets during critical moments leading up to the use of force. His approach bridges the quantitative analysis of human performance with qualitative insights into violent encounters, offering a comprehensive view of why actions were taken.

Military and Law Enforcement Expertise

With 30+ years in U.S. Army Special Forces and 23+ years in law enforcement, Dr. Black brings unmatched experience to each case. He provides practical insights grounded in real-world experience. His background ensures a comprehensive understanding of how policy, training, and decision-making intersect under pressure.

View Aragon National, Inc.'s Consulting Profile.

Handwriting Identification and Discrimination

Signature Comparison

Techniques for Distinguishing Forged Signatures

Disguised Handwriting

Altered Numbers

Anonymous Writing

Factors that Affect Writing

4CA Consulting & Reconstruction is a General Accident Reconstruction Company, providing Expert Services in the field of Accident Reconstruction, including:

• A complete an unbiased accident investigation, using the latest investigative means such as Crash Data Retrieval & Analysis.
• Crash Scene Analysis and Documentation: Vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles.
• Seat Belts and Child Safety-Seats usage analysis
• Occupant injury kinematics, speed determination, time - distance, drag factor with use of Vericom Vehicle Computer System.
• Traffic Studies.
• Crash Animation / Simulation, Map scenes, Crash Zone, CAD.

About Kevin Forcier: ACTAR Certified Reconstructionist: #2054. Retired from the Pennsylvania State Police in April of 2010 after 25 years of service. Accident Reconstructionist since 1990, last four years as a full time Crash Analysis and Reconstruction Specialist responsible for the coverage of 3300 square miles of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Qualified Expert Witness in the field of Crash Reconstruction and related services.