The practical application and potential legal consequences of the IASIU Code of ethics will be explored by following the wacky investigative shenanigans of fictional Investigator Babette Bavanaugh. Learn from Babette’s hilarious mis-steps how not to handle ethical challenges.

Attendees will:

• Review the development of ethical theory and the practical and legal advantages of ethical conduct in SIU Investigations

• Analyze the IASIU Code of Ethics in the context of real-world scenarios and,

• Recognize breaches of the Code of Ethics as illustrated by Babette’s wacky antics while she blunders her way from one ethical disaster to the next

Dave Stadolnik, Law Offices of David C. Stadolnik, LLC

​The loss site is where fact gathering begins. Establishing the cause of a loss is the foundation of claims investigations.  We will review some of the basics of building the case from the scene: Working with expert witnesses, documenting the scene and coordinating the details for further investigative activity.

Paul Mahoney, Mahoney and Associates

​Come discover new ways of searching for social media profiles in our constantly changing online world using strategic OSINT techniques.  In this session, we will discuss new ways finding information on the usual sites like Facebook and Instagram, but also touch on some new sites like TikTok and Venmo.  Social media and other OSINT findings have proven to be incredibly helpful in an investigation, so it is important to be up to date on the latest tricks and trends.

Melissa Sweeney, Investigative Analyst, Crum & Forster

​This course will be an overview of property/casualty insurance crime trends impacting the insurance industry. Attendees will learn:
1.    An awareness of the current insurance crime trends, and how they’ve evolved.
2.    Case examples depicting the role of SIU and the many other entities it takes to resolve a case.
3.    A review of resources to be utilized in an SIU investigation.
4.    The ability to become more proactive vs. reactive.

Heidi Jordan, Senior Special Agent, National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

​The last several years have seen explosive growth in the technology available to the collision analyst, changing the way reconstructions are completed.  The greatest technological advances have come in the form of digital data.  This data can be retrieved from various systems within the vehicle following collisions.  Vehicle event data recorders contain pre-crash and post-crash data including vehicle speed, braking, engine RPMs and steering.   Vehicle infotainment and telematics systems contain data that is beneficial to the collision reconstructionist and investigators of automobile related crime.  This data can include music and media files, cell phone contact lists, text messages, wireless connections, vehicle data and GPS data.  
In addition to the technology advances in vehicles, measurement techniques have advanced in collision reconstruction.  Tape measures have been replaced by total stations, survey grade GPS, laser scanners, photogrammetry and drones.  Using the data acquired by this equipment, a collision reconstructionist can create high-definition images, 3D models, simulations and animations of collisions and crime scenes.  
This presentation will include an outdoor drone demonstration.  

Timothy E. Dowd Senior Consultant/Vehicle Accident Reconstructionist Rimkus Consulting Group

​While investigations into application misrepresentations are common, proving materiality of a misrepresentation at trial depends entirely on a quality and targeted investigation and coordination with underwriting.  So many quality investigations that seemingly prove misrepresentations in the insurance application are undone by an inability to prove materiality or to prove that a representation was actually false.  As an industry we often fail to understand the interplay of misrepresentations and materiality and how to prove both.  This seminar will discuss best practices for undertaking a quality and reliable investigation to ensure the results are valid and sufficient for trial.

Attorney Timothy W. Tapply, Brand & Tapply, LLC

​The cleanup of a biohazard situation, whether it be rodent infestation or dead bodies, is an unenviable task on the best of days.  As an industry we have regularly paid exorbitant biohazard invoices with a shrug of frustrated acceptance.  But, such ambivalence has now bread a cottage industry where biohazard firms are taking advantage of carriers who do not know and who do not want to know the full extent of the work performed.  The bills for biohazard cleanup regularly include massive charges for whole building remediation even when the biohazard is contained to a single room.  The charges are unregulated, astronomical, and regularly paid without question.  Now, many biohazard companies are going so far as to offer their services for cash to an insured at a rate typically less than 10% of what they charge an insurance company for the same charge and regularly demand an insured enter into a confidentiality agreement whereby the insured is precluded from discussing their knowledge of the biohazard company with the insurance carrier.  This presentation is designed to educate SIU and claims in the best practices of investigating these claims and developing evidence to combat the legitimacy of the biohazard invoices, identify the true scope of work and damage, and defeat the claimed reasonableness of their invoices.  

Attorney Timothy W. Tapply, Brand & Tapply, LLC

​The proposed presentation will focus on emerging trends in the submission of prescription drug reimbursement with a focus on pain patches, creams and compounds.  Topics to be covered include letters of medical necessity, drug pricing and re-pricing, reimbursement rates, fee schedules, conservative treatment and alternatives.  The presentation will provide a high level explanation as to considerations in claim review involving prescription drugs and methods for combating the same.  A basic overview of related drug testing and urinalysis will also be included.

Attorney Shauna Sullivan, Smith & Brink, P.C.

​How many times have you heard people say they'd be good as undercover agents?  On medical fraud cases it's complicated.  This presentation will show how to find details, facts and missing information for successful undercover operations.  

Bonnie Parenteau, RN and Brendhan Harris, Chief Fraud Investigator for the New Hampshire Insurance Department; Tammy Noyes Renkowitz

Interviewing is the most critical stage in any investigative process.  This block of instruction will provide useful techniques allowing the investigator to maximize the interviewing process.  These techniques have been tested and employed by law enforcement agencies for decades.  Whether you are conducting a third-party witness interview or a hostile subject interview, preparing for the process is key to your success.  This instruction is taught by Stephen Quartino, retired Special Agent, United States Treasury Department 34 years on behalf of Claims Advantage, North Providence, Rhode Island.

Stephen Quartino, President of Discreet Investigative Solutions and Partner with Claim Advantage

Retired Mass State Police Lt. Tim Dowd, MAPFRE Accident Reconstructionist Mike Merolli, and Attorney David Brink will give a presentation on the proper use and application of the Bosch CDR Tool, other EDR tools, and new technologies that help to properly investigate auto crashes, including potentially fraudulent claims. With the advent of Autonomous vehicles, CDR Technology has begun providing additional data that reports pedestrian and collision avoidance information previously unavailable. This will be discussed as well as current legal issues regarding the access of data. A recap of the crashes conducted at the MSP EVOC facility in Ayer, MA in October 2019 will also be provided.

Attorney David Brink, Smith & Brink; Mike Merolli, Accident Reconstructionist at Mapfre Insurance; Retired Mass State Police Lt. Tim Dowd (now Senior Consultant at Rimkus)

​Homeowner and Commercial General Liability policies cover sudden and accidental water damage to a home or business.  Burst pipes, frozen or otherwise, overflowing tubs, toilets, broken appliance hoses, rain from storm damages roofs or windows, are some of the claims submitted seeking coverage that may warrant in depth investigation.  Water infiltration may lead to mold claims, increasing the costs of mitigation and repairs tenfold.  Frozen pipes – did the insured use “reasonable means” to heat the home or business?  Assessing water mitigation costs, contents and inventory claims, all of which can sometimes be larger than the structural damages will be discussed.  Learn how to investigate water damage claims, preserve and prepare evidence for presentation in the defense of a claim for coverage or in a recovery action.  From first notice of loss (FNOL), investigation of the loss, assessing how the loss occurred, what damages are related, and finally a determination on whether the claim is legitimate or fraudulent will be presented and discussed. 

Attorney Jack Parenteau, Parenteau & O’Hara, PC and Attorney Barry S. Rothschild, Parenteau & O’Hara, PC