Investigative Staff Profiles

Jeffrey M. Marlin

Following his graduation from the University of Iowa in 1989, Jeff spent 3 years as a Kansas City metro area police officer. He then attended Central Missouri State University where he received a second degree in Mathematics Education and his teaching certification. He taught high school mathematics and coached football & basketball for four years in the state of Iowa.

Jeff has been an investigator with Marlin’s Special Investigations, Inc. (MSI) since 1996 and became President/CEO of MSI in 2007. Jeff is the past secretary of the Iowa Association of Private Investigators and is still actively involved in the Association. Since 2003 Jeff has been the editor/publisher for the IAPI Quarterly Newsletter.

Credentials and Memberships

• 30+ years of Investigative Experience
• Graduate of Kansas City, Missouri Law Enforcement Academy
• Worker’s Compensation/Fraud Investigations
• Member of the Iowa Association of Private Investigators (IAPI) 2000 – Present
• IAPI Secretary 2003 – 2005
• IAPI Newsletter Editor/Publisher 2003 – 2023
• Member of Intellenet – International Intelligence Network 2014 – Present

• Homicide Investigations
• Crime Scene Investigations
• Interview & Interrogation
• Sexual Abuse Investigations
• Surveillance Techniques
• Criminal & Civil Law Investigations
• Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation

Michael D. Marlin

Mike is a 1970 graduate of the University of Iowa. He went on to have a 24 year career with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) as a Special Agent where he was responsible for investigations of murders, robberies, frauds, public corruption cases, and other crimes. He has over 1800 hours of specialized training in interviewing and interrogation tactics, financial and background investigations and surveillance techniques. Mike has served as lead agent in conducting background investigations on large corporations, their directors and officers who were associated with gaming in Iowa.

An instructor of local law enforcement officers for the last ten years of his law enforcement career, Mike has trained over 600 officers in covert and sting operations, corruption investigations, and surveillance techniques. He has worked in congruence with the U.S. Secret Service in pre-trip intelligence gathering and ground security for Pope Paul II, Presidents Nixon, Carter, Ford, Reagan and Bush as well as many other dignitaries. He has also received numerous letters of commendation and awards from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for his assistance in the arrest, prosecution and conviction of criminals. Michael is currently a consultant with Marlin’s Special Investigations, Inc. In 1994, Michael retired from DCI and founded MARLIN’S SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, INC.

Over 40 years of Law Enforcement and Investigative Experience

• Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Special Agent : 24 years
• Graduate of Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (Vice President of Class)
• DCI Special Agent Association; Secretary/Treasurer: 4 years
• Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center (MOCIC): 9 years
• Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit (LEIU): 24 years
• Mid-West Crime Conference: 19 years
• Law Enforcement Intelligence Network (LEIN); Charter Member of Instructors: 10 years (DCI facilitator for Iowa LEIN)
• Past Advisory Board Member – Salvation Army
• Member of the Iowa Association of Private Investigators (IAPI) 1994 – 2010
• Treasurer, Iowa Association of Private Investigators (IAPI) 2000 – 2002
• Vice President, Iowa Association of Private Investigators (IAPI) 2002 – 2004
• Member of Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce 2001 – 2006
• Past Member of the Cedar Rapids Crime Stoppers Board
• Past Member of Cedar Rapids West Rotary
• Member of Knights of Columbus
• Past Member of Iowa Death Investigators Association