Universal Investigation Services takes a unique approach to the private investigation profession.  We employ a team of expert investigators, each with their own specialty or field of knowledge, a diversity that gives us the advantage of assisting businesses, medical institutions, and private citizens with any problem they may encounter, and developing a solution.  

All of our professionals are carefully screened to ensure our clientele receives only the best service available.  We would not stand for anything less.

Glenn M. Thomas, President/Owner

Glenn Thomas is a retired commander of the New Mexico State Police Criminal Investigations Section, with 23 years of service.  As commander he was responsible for managing over 1,200 investigative cases a year and supervised 65 commissioned detectives covering every corner of New Mexico.  Glenn was routinely brought in as a consultant on the most difficult and high profile cases in the state's history.  His gift for seeing beyond the evidence and masterful interviewing techniques has earned him a reputation beyond reproach in the law enforcement community.  Glenn is at his best when out of the box thinking is needed.

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Doug Shawn, Chief Investigator

Doug Shawn is a retired homicide supervisor and detective with the Albuquerque Police Department, and has investigated or supervised hundreds of homicide investigations and violent crimes.  His expertise in pathology as it relates to investigations has brought the best of both worlds to our medical malpractice defense investigations.  Doug's relentless research abilities and interviewing skills have helped save our medical provider clientele millions of dollars in unnecessary settlements.  Doug is a stickler for details and will provide our clients with all of the tools to defend their position.  He never stops digging!

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Patrick Ness, Investigator

Patrick is a retired New Mexico State Police (22 years) Detective.  Patrick was the primary investigator on multiple homicide investigations, white collar crimes, and the Cold Case Homicide Unit.  Patrick worked on the Joint Terrorism Task Force with the FBI and the International and Domestic Terrorism unit as an investigator (receiving a national “Top Secret” clearance).  Patrick was the lead instructor for the State Police Academy as well as the New Mexico Basic Law Enforcement Academy in the instruction of Interviews and Interrogations.  Patrick has been featured on the Discovery Channel (Real Interrogations) as well as America's Most Wanted for multiple Homicide investigations.  Patrick teaches interviewing tactics in the private sector as well, and is certified in the following areas: Homicide and Cold Case Investigation, Crime Scene Reconstruction (District Court recognized Expert), Blood Stain Pattern Analysis (District Court recognized Expert), and Interviews and Interrogations (District Court recognized Expert).  Simply put, Patrick’s credentials are impeccable, and his success rate is amazing. 

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Martha Padilla, Investigator and Head of Research

In her capacity managing the company’s records research division, Martha has developed invaluable contacts with most every court and law enforcement agency in New Mexico. Martha’s years of experience in the judicial system gives us a person on the “inside” that can uncover those documents that are often the critical piece of evidence that can change everything.  Martha is a master at undercover work and can play any role to work her way into the source and get the information our client needs.  She is a natural at getting people to open up and getting what she needs.

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Manny Gutierrez, Investigator and Accident Reconstructionist

Manny retired from the New Mexico State Police as the commander of the busiest patrol district in Northern New Mexico.  Manny has contacts in all of the northern cities and uses these relationships to find the needle in the haystack.  Manny has completed accident reconstruction levels I and II, at-scene reconstructions, technical accident investigations, and computer applications for accident reconstruction.  He was an elite member of the New Mexico State Police Accident Reconstruction Team for many years.  Manny’s experience in this field has proven invaluable to our many insurance clients.