Welcome to the LSIS Investigative Journal

Welcome to the LSIS Investigative Journal

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

AB-747 (2025-2026), Service of Process Accountability, Reform and Equity (SPARE) Act


 AB-747 (2025-2026), Service of Process Accountability, Reform and Equity (SPARE) Act

Assemblyman Ash Kalra


Assemblyman Kalra referred to the process service industry as engaging in systemic fraud or "sewer service".  I conduct difficult service of process when process servers are unable to complete service.  In doing so, I have always taken cell phone photos or video with Date & Time Stamp (imposed on the image), when conducting service of process so the service cannot be denied.  



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Sunday, July 27, 2025

Liquid-burning firepits behind 2 deaths, dozens of injuries

 



Liquid-burning firepits behind 2 deaths, dozens of injuries

By Kate Gibson

CBS News

December 19, 2024

Americans are being urged not to buy or use liquid-burning portable firepits sold for tabletops and other uses following the deaths of two people and dozens of injuries. 

Sold as tabletop firepits, firepots, miniature fireplaces or portable fires for indoor use, "these firepits are extremely dangerous and have been associated with two deaths and at least 60 injuries since 2019," the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday in issuing a consumer alert. "Consumers should immediately stop using and dispose of these products. Sellers should stop selling these products," the agency stated. 

The warning follows the June deaths of an elderly couple, .....


LINK TO ARTICLE

Liquid-burning firepits behind 2 deaths, dozens of injuries


LSIS Case Study: Flame Jetting Hazard Phenomenon

  

LSIS Case Study:  Flame Jetting Hazard Phenomenon

Randall Alexander

Licensed Investigator / Paralegal

September 8, 2023

 A couple years ago, I had an investigation where family and friends were having a great time (no alcohol), gathered around a dinner table.  Located on top and center of the table was a product commonly referred to as a "fire pot".  Fire pots come in various shapes, sizes, manufacturers, as well as fuel sources. The smaller, “safe for indoor use” fire pots are generally used for ambience, some even use for cooking a marshmallow.

The particular model in question used Isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol, which contains over a 90% alcohol.  Isopropyl alcohol generally burns fairly clear, but is also highly flammable.

 As the fire pot on the dinner table appeared to run out of fuel, one family member decided to refill the small fire pot reservoir.  What the person did not realize was that there was still a tiny ember or flame at the bottom of the fuel reservoir. 


As the person tipped the partially filled bottle of Isopropyl to about 90 degrees, .....



LINK TO ARTICLE


RECALL of FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces Due to Flame Jetting

 



CPSC Urges Consumers to Stop Using FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces Due to Flame Jetting and Fire Hazards; Two Deaths and Serious Burn Injuries Reported

Name of Product:

FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces

Hazard:   Using alcohol-fueled FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplaces can cause uncontrollable pool fires in which flames burn across the surface of pooled or spilled alcohol, as well as flame jetting from fuel containers, resulting in serious or fatal burns.

Consumer Action:   Consumers should immediately stop using and dispose of these dangerous products.

Product Safety Warning Date:   December 19, 2024


FLIKRFIRE Tabletop Fireplace RECALL

Friday, May 9, 2025

2025 BSIS New Legislation Alert


BSIS New Legislation Alert 

SB 1454, authored by Member Ashby and signed into law by Governor Newsom on  September 22, 2024, extends the sunset date for the Bureau of Security and  Investigative Services (Bureau) until January 1, 2029, extends the ability for alarm companies and private investigators to form limited liability companies through January  1, 2030, and introduces several important changes to Practice Acts regulated by the  Bureau. 


The provisions of this bill will take effect on January 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. 



FULL LEGISLATIVE ARTICLE



Thursday, May 1, 2025

CROP FACTOR and Eyewitness Perspective

WHAT IS EYEWITNESS PERSPECTIVE?

DSLR Photographic Evidence

Randall Alexander

State Licensed Investigator

February 26, 2023


INTRODUCTION

Since 1999, when I obtained my investigator’s license I have witnessed (like many of you) technology rapidly change and advance.   I was routinely upgrading camcorders and cameras, going through various recording formats from 8mm to disc, then to CFI cards, SD and micro SD, etc. 

 Through this rapid technology change to auto-tech convenience, and the advent of high quality cell phone cameras, many have forgotten or never learned a couple fundamentals of basic forensic photography.  The one aspect I want to address is developing Eyewitness Perspective, or what someone saw with their naked eye. 

 Eyewitness Perspective is when a photographer can stand in the same spot where a witness previously stood, and capture an image with the same depth of field and perspective as the witness’ naked eye view. 

 Click on LINK below to continue reading: 

CROP FACTOR: DSLR PHOTOGRAPHY








Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Capturing Eyewitness Perspective

 


Investigations: Capturing Eyewitness Perspective

Randall Alexander

Licensed Investigator

August 17, 2023

INTRODUCTION

In the 1992 comedy My Cousin Vinny, the criminal defense attorney played by Joe Pecsci has the insurmountable task of raising doubt before the jury in what appears to be solid eye witness accounts, linking the defendants to the crime scene. 

With one witness in particular, Cousin Vinny is showing the witness photographs, and asks on cross examination,  “So Mr. Crane, you can positively identify the defendants for a moment of two seconds, looking through this dirty window, this crud covered screen, these trees, with all these leaves on them, and I don’t know how many bushes…” 

As comical as the entire exchange was, there is an element of relevance to be taken away. 

In your investigation, what could a witness actually see from their perspective at the time of the incident?  And ... how can we replicate these conditions in an court approved evidentiary manner?

Factors that come into play are obstructions, lighting conditions, distance, weather, etc. 

I hope you find the article informative!


Click on LINK below to continue reading: 

Capturing Eyewitness Perspective