Rachael Frost is a subject matter expert in intimate partner, sexual, and child abuse-related investigations, specializing in unlawful deaths and law enforcement agency policies, practices, and operations related to violence.
Experience. Integrity. Professionalism.
With twenty years of law enforcement experience specializing in intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, stalking, restraining orders, strangulation, child abuse, and threat, I have the direct experience in these cases that is a necessity in court. I worked as a top-step criminal and Internal Affairs investigator and trainer in these cases for a large Sheriff’s department, as well as developed related programs across agencies obtaining more than $3.8 million in grant monies for this purpose. I now own my own company partnering with both non- and for-profit agencies across the nation on abuse, threat, and unlawful death issues.
Do not leave your case to chance. I help explain the actions of those involved and use evidence-based information to show where they succeeded, or failed, to follow policy, or committed criminal actions.
Providing context and explanation in these cases is an imperative task that can often be the difference between winning and losing in court. I am familiar with documents, digital evidence, reports, and other requests which must be made from law enforcement from both public and internal sources. I understand these cases and the agencies that investigate them which allows me to quickly and efficiently identify evidence-based areas of interest.
It should never be an assumption that juries and even members of the judiciary will readily identify criminal actions, abuse characteristics, or why police officers do what they do - or don’t do.
The truth of what happened and how that exists within the context of the law matters and I am dedicated to this important premise. An expert opinion based on evidence does not change dependent on the client; it is simply factual information. As a result, I have worked with all parties; prosecution, defense, plaintiff, and respondent. Findings are supported by the review and application of laws, policies, procedures, and best practices, guidelines, identified dynamics of abuse and threat, or case-specific information, all where applicable.
I have testified in numerous Criminal, Civil, and Family Law cases and am extremely comfortable in both depositions and court hearings. Straight talk, direct evidence, and clear explanations; an expert in court to demystify, identify, and communicate actions, policies, procedures, and common behaviors related to investigations.
“Rachael’s work ethic is readily evident in her consistent dedication to project development and completion. I highly recommend her work … I am certain you will be thrilled with her results,”
- Director of District Attorney Victim Services Division
Anyone looking for an expert witness should know that we are paid for our time, not our testimony, so being unbiased is an important factor in our work. Specific, evidence-based information is a strong partner to expert opinions, but so is having the right expert in court for your case needs. If I am a good fit for your case, I will let you know upon review, or I will provide outside recommendations for other experts wherever possible.
I am also available for litigation support, assisting attorneys in understanding context and complexities related to these cases. In this role, I am able to discuss strategy related to the merits of the case, as well as advise when there are concerns that should inform whether or not a settlement should be reached prior to trial.
I look forward to discussing your case and the best options for moving forward.
Get back to basics.
Arguing your case becomes much easier when everyone in court understands what happened or what should have happened from an expert and unbiased review. As an abuse investigations and law enforcement policies and procedures expert, here are some of the areas I can help address in your case:
Identifying and addressing dynamics and procedures for abuse and threat-related investigations, as well as identified victim and suspect behaviors (areas of expertise: domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, strangulation, restraining orders, threats, and harm to others)
Explaining dynamics of abuse specifically related to the case (coercive control, gaslighting, etc.)
Identifying and explaining law enforcement agency-specific policies, practices, and procedures, as well as researching and discussing pertinent local, State, and Federal laws and how they apply
Addressing police officer actions, investigations, reports, and digital documentation
Evidence-based identification of criminal actions and supportive laws to address actions
Investigation reconstruction related to persons’ crimes and personnel investigations
Identifying areas of policy and program development and response across government agencies, and non-and for-profit agencies
Specialized Family Law case assistance programs for individuals (Ten-hour document and evidence review, identification of needed information, case recommendations, and directed assistance for involved parties)
Experience.
As a Master Investigator, I specialized in intimate partner physical and sexual abuse cases and related crimes, orders, procedures, and hearings. My direct experience in investigating and evaluating law enforcement personnel, procedures, and actions came from working within the Professional Standards Bureau’s Internal Affairs division where I handled a variety of allegations including domestic violence, child abuse, use of force, and more.
For more than a decade, I obtained and implemented Federal grants from the Office of Violence Against Women for the county of Riverside, California, creating threat and abuse response and investigation programs and procedures in partnership with government agencies, non-profits, and private enterprise. Through these programs, I trained thousands and created education programs focused on abuse, threat assessment, professional standard investigations, and more.
Upon retiring from law enforcement in 2019, I opened my own company, providing expert witness services, education, program and policy development and implementation, and community engagement and events to help normalize trauma for both victims of abuse and for first responders to include police, fire, medical, military, and emergency services. I also work as a staff member for the Training Institute for Strangulation Prevention and the Justice Legal Network, am a member of the Cadre of Experts for End Violence Against Women International, volunteer with the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals for Communications, and am the Chief Financial Officer for the non-profit Kids Court & Counseling Center. CV and training records available upon request.
“(Rachael) has developed a reputation as a mentor, and has continued to make herself available for phone calls to other professionals who desire additional information on workplace violence, etc. Her skills and perspectives are valuable and transcend to include bringing together several agencies to use a common language and develop a shared need from our local community to build a stronger team.”
United States Air Force Division Services
