News

Desert Sleuth Chapter of Sisters in Crime

January 16, 2008 7:00 pm - Cafe Carumba! 7303 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale

The group presents Kristen Hamilton, Judy Friddle Andrews, and Ava Friddle, authors and professional sleuths who discuss compiling information from their cases for a book.

Kristen & Judy had the great pleasure of talking with the Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime in January (Ava was absent as she was on a big case that evening - babysitting Kristen's children.) Hot Lead is the group's monthly newsletter, and Sue Flaig gave this report on our talk in her regular column "Caught in the Act":

What a fun meeting! The Sisters hosted a real "sister act" with private investigators Kristen Hamilton and Judy Friddle Andrews of RESEARCH ETC., Inc. This Scottsdale woman-owned PI Agency has been in business since 1995. They call themselves "people finders" since their main work is in reuniting adopted children (now adults) with their birth parents...and they work closely with the AZ Confidential Intermediary Program. Kristen admitted that since the growth of the internet, the job has become easier, since it is mostly research work. However, they also do surveillance and other types of investigation.

          Kristen & Judy talked about some of their case studies, several of which will appear in their upcoming, self-published book. They also have CD's and DVD's available, through "SpyralSearch," a reference directory of specific cities and years. For more information about which cities and years, go to www.SpyralSearchSales.com .

          Our members had lots of questions for Kristen and Judy, especially about adoptions, the Confidential Intermediary Program, and whose rights (Birth mother, adopted child, state) take precedence. We found that different states have different laws; often the information they seek from adoption agencies is sealed; and genealogy sites such as ellisisland.com and ancestry.com can be helpful in their research.

          All in all, a very interesting program.

Report by Sue Flaig

For more information on the Desert Sleuth Chapter of Sisters in Crime, visit their website at www.angelfire.com/az2/sinc

Sisters in Crime is a world-wide group of 3400 members in 48 chapters. The members are authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians who love mysteries and encourage and support women mystery writers. For more information, visit www.sistersincrime.org