YOU NEED REAL SOLUTIONS THAT REVEAL THE TRUTH

 

 
 

98% SOLVE RATE

LPA’S INVESTIGATION METHODS SOLVE THE UNSOLVEABLE.

DECEDENT-CENTERED

WE ARE FOCUSED ON YOUR LOVED ONE AND OUR VICTIM-CENTERED METHODS GET YOU RESULTS.

INNOVATIVE

OUR CREATIVE INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS OVERCOME THE TOUGHEST OBSTACLES.

DEDICATED

OUR TEAM IS COMMITTED TO FINDING ANSWERS FOR YOU.

 

Blog Posts

 

MISSION

Laura Pettler & Associates is a private investigation firm in the Charlotte, North Carolina area owned and operated by world-renowned forensic criminologist, Dr. Laura Pettler and her daughter, Alexis Q. Pettler that has been serving law enforcement, attorneys, and families since 2005. LPA’s success is unmatched because its solution-driven methods, equipment, and training get results clients need. LPA’s #RiseAndSlay mission is to leave the world better than we found it in everything we do.

 

 
 

Leadership & Success by Design

LPA is committed to contributing to the legal sector, dedicated to client service and satisfaction, and consistently pursues excellence. LPA’s Elite Roundtable of Experts, Consulting Experts, and Field Operatives are based throughout the United States and abroad. LPA’s vision is to lead by design. We believe that roundtable-style infrastructure solves more cases and teaches investigators how to do it right. LPA’s diagonal communication organizational structure absolutely finds more investigative answers than the traditional law enforcement para-military vertical style of investigation agencies. LPA’s Roundtable of Experts are unified by diversity and we embrace the unique strengths of each expert that are pointed towards getting the answer our clients need while maintaining a small, family-owned and operated feel. Our experienced investigators and world-class experts are committed to your case every step of the way so you can rest easy while we work your case.

 

 

and awarded Most Influential Forensics Businesswoman (USA) by CEO Monthly Magazine in 2022, revered true crime forensic criminologist and one of the world’s leading experts on staged murder, Dr. Laura Pettler is the author of the world’s first book on solving staged murders, author of the world’s third dissertation on staged murders, inventor of the Kaleidoscope Shooting and Bloodstain Death Scene Laser Reconstruction System. Dr. Laura is also an executive producer and director, on-camera talent and podcaster, musician-singer-songwriter, equestrian, entrepreneur, and licensed private investigator. Dr. Laura owns and operates Laura Pettler & Associates (LPA), voted the #1 Death Investigations firm three years running for its scientific, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, decedent-centered methodological approach.

2023 Scheduled Appearances:

  • May 4-7, 2023, 24th Annual Primary Care & Cardiovascular Symposium 2023 World Golf Village Renaissance Resort, St. Augustine, FL: Forensics from a World Authority: Criminals Can’t Hide Long

  • 26 February, Carolina Beach, NC: The Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction, Dr. Pettler’s Murder Room Death Investigation Method We regret Dr. Pettler’s will not appear at this event.

  • August 2023, Baltimore, MD: The IAI, Dr. Pettler’s Kaleidoscope Reconstruction System We regret Dr. Pettler’s will not appear at this event.

  • September 2023: Orlando, FL, CrimeCon We regret Dr. Pettler’s will not appear at this event.

  • October 5-6, 2023, Conferencia Inaugural Speaker, XIV Congreso Internationcional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Panama City, Republic of Panama

  • October 2023, Orlando, FL: The FDIAI, Dr. Pettler’s Kaleidoscope Reconstruction System We regret Dr. Pettler’s will not appear at this event.

Recent Appearances:

  • *Dr. Pettler will appear again on CourtTV shortly.

  • 27 April 2023, #CourtTV, Idaho v. Lori Vallow Daybell #ClosingArguments with Vinnie Politan

  • 17 April 2023, #CourtTV Idaho v. Lori Vallow Daybell with Judge Ashley Wilcott

  • 13 April 2023, #CourtTV, Idaho v. Lori Vallow Daybell with Judge Ashley Wilcott

  • 10 March 2023, #CourtTV, Florida v. #MichaelKeetley on with @MichaelAyala

  • 8 March 2023, #CourtTV, Florida v. #MichaelKeetley on with @MichaelAyala

  • 2 March 2023, #CourtTV, South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial on with @MichaelAyala

  • 28 February 2023, Fox Nation, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

  • 27 February 2023, 8pm EST, #CourtTV South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial on #ClosingArguments with @VinniePolitan

  • 24 February 2023, 11am-2pm EST, #CourtTV South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 23 February 2023, 9am-11am EST, #CourtTV South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 22 February 2023, YouTube LIVE, SURVIVING THE SURVIVOR on the #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 20 February 2023, Mexico City, Mexico: Dr. Pettler’s Kaleidoscope Reconstruction System Training

  • 17 February 2023, 11am-2pm EST, #CourtTV South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 16 February 2023, #CourtTV with anchor Michael Ayala on South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 16 February 2023, 9-10am EST, #CourtTV with anchor Julie Grant on South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 14 February 2023, 3-4pm EST, #CourtTV, with anchor Judge Ashley Willcott about South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 13 February 2023, 3-4pm EST, #CourtTV, with anchor Judge Ashley Willcott about South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 8 February 2023, 9am-10pm EST, #CourtTV, with Julie Grant about South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 7 February 2023, 8pm-9pm EST, #CourtTV, #ClosingArguments with Vinnie Politan about South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 7 February 2023, 11am-2pm EST, #CourtTV, with Ted Rowlands South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

  • 2 February 2023, #CourtTV, on Ashley Willcott and #JASH

  • 11 January 2023, Panama City, Panama: Central American Division of the IAI, Dr. Pettler’s Kaleidoscope Reconstruction System

  • 23 January 2023, #CourtTV, on Ashley Willcott and #JASH

  • 10 January 2023, #CourtTV, on Michael Ayala discussing the #IdahoMurders

  • 6 January 2023, #CourtTV, on Michael Ayala discussing the #IdahoMurders

  • 11 December 2022, #CourtTV, on Michael Ayala discussing the #IdahoMurders and on Vinnie Politan discussion the #IdahoMurders

  • 9 December 2022, #CourtTV, on SC v. Murdaugh Bloodstain Evidence

  • 8 December 2022, Stanly County High School, Crime Scene and Evidence

  • 7 December 2022, SPCC Law Enforcement Management Program, Statement Analysis

  • 18 November 2022, #CourtTV, on #IdahoMurders

  • 16 November 2022, NC Internal Affairs Association, Statement Analysis

  • 31 October 2022, #CourtTV, on #Delphi Arrest

  • 29 October 2022, #CourtTV, on #EthanCrumbley School Shooting and Iowa Serial Killer? More appearances…



Why hire LPAteam?

The ideas, skills, and technologies that you, Michael and your colleagues discussed yesterday clearly help represent the future of law enforcement and I encourage and support your efforts going forward. Thanks once again for everything that you do, and I look forward to working with, you in the future and seeing you again in the County before too long.

-Budd D. Berro, Office of the Governor, Director, Piedmont Region


Laura, you will never know how much your caring meant to us. I felt that you understand my pain of losing my only daughter. You would have loved her. If only she could have gotten untrapped. If ever in town, please drop by.

-Marie C.


This is exactly what my brain envisions when I’m working on cold cases especially. This method and why to organize the information is going be amazingly helpful so that other investigators understand me. I am fan-girling and I can’t wait to hear more about this being utilized to solve cases.

-Mediciolegal Death Investigator, Office of the Coroner, Richland County, South Carolina


Although LPA Associates determined my niece's sudden death as a suicide, my mother and I found great comfort that LPA Associates reviewed all the evidence thoroughly with intensity, dedication, and there is no longer any open ended  questions about my niece's death.

Dr. Laura Pettler and her team work endlessly to find the truth, and their compassion and empathy for your love one's death is ineffable.  

I would not hire any other investigative services in the world.

-Kimberly W.


Dr. Laura, you were able to encourage me in ten minutes, while the people closest to me think that what I want to do is a joke and wouldn't give ten minutes to let me explain. I take fashion very seriously. It's something that I truly love and has helped pull me from a place of darkness. You were able to encourage me in ten minutes, while the people closest to me think that what I want to do is a joke and wouldn't give ten minutes to let me explain. I take fashion very seriously. It's something that I truly love and has helped pull me from a place of darkness. Before meeting you, I was afraid of what could happen for me because I had no insight. You changed my life with your words and I truly thank you for that. I have so much respect for you and I pray God blesses you just as much as he plans to bless me. I can't thank you enough…

-J.P. 



Practice Areas

Wrongful Death

Don’t wait to seek legal counsel about your loved one’s death case. Many states have a two-year statute of limitations to file a wrongful death claim. LPA can assist your attorney with determining if you have a legal cause of action and in wrongful death lawsuits that are already filed.

LEARN MORE…

Suspicious Death

Don’t go through this alone. No one knows your loved one like you do. Maybe no one else agrees with you. We understand. LPA is the right place for your case because our experts can work with you to find answers to help you move forward. Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, civil attorneys, and surviving family need support, expertise, resources, and solutions to get results.

LEARN MORE…

Homicide Investigation

Many law enforcement agencies just don’t have the money and man-power homicide investigations need. We get it because everyone at LPA is either current, former, and/or retired law enforcement or experts who have worked for decades with law enforcement to find the truth.

LEARN MORE…

 

Case Review

Maybe you need answers to questions. Case review is a good place to start. LPA can review client-submitted materials to help clients move forward and take additional action in cases where investigations have either stagnated or families disagree with manner of death rulings.

LEARN MORE…

Crime Scene Reconstruction

Are you trying to figure out someone died? LPA uses the latest technology in laser reconstruction and other systems to reconstruction bullet paths and bloodstain evidence.

LEARN MORE…

Trial Strategy

Our career homicide prosecutors are the experts you need on your wrongful death or murder case. They understand the ins and outs of prosecution and defense and approach your case objectively no matter which side of the courtroom you’re on.

LEARN MORE…

 

Interviews, Depositions/Prep, & Statement Analysis

Words are powerful and words mean things. Interviews should be fruitful. Knowing the right questions to ask and how to ask them makes all the difference. LPA’s interviews use skilled psychology to develop interview and deposition questions. If you don’t have time to go through your discovery to make a list of questions for your witnesses, LPA is your partner in preparing for legal proceedings.

LEARN MORE…

Evidence Processing

From DNA to digital evidence like cell phone dumps, LPA is your partner for evidence processing. There is no scene too large or small for our experienced and very talented investigators when it comes to death scene and evidence processing. Sometimes law enforcement agencies cannot process scenes because no criminal act is evident. In these cases, you need a private death investigation firm to do the job.

LEARN MORE…

Post-Conviction/Wrongful Conviction

Post-conviction and wrongful convictions are real. And nothing is more of an injustice than imprisoning an innocent person for a crime they didn’t commit. Was the scientific evidence presented at trial shaky at best? Did the supporting evidence not make the grade? Post-conviction case review and wrongful conviction investigations require precise skills LPA investigators and experts have that offer a solution to the problem with deep understanding of the problem.

LEARN MORE…