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                                                                    EXHIBIT 32.1

                                  CERTIFICATION

This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 and accompanies the quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the "Form 10-Q") for
the quarter ended March 31, 2004 of American Insured Mortgage Investors - Series
85, L.P. (the "Issuer").

I, Barry S. Blattman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, certify
that to the best of my knowledge:

(i)           the Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of section
              13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
              U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and

(ii)          the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly represents, in
              all material respects, the financial condition and results of
              operations of the Issuer.


                                        AMERICAN INSURED MORTGAGE
                                        INVESTORS - SERIES 85, L.P.
                                        (Registrant)

                                        By:      CRIIMI, Inc.
                                                 General Partner



May 7, 2004                             /s/Barry S. Blattman
- -----------                             ----------------------------------
Date                                    Barry S. Blattman
                                        Chairman of the Board and
                                        Chief Executive Officer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to the General Partner and will be retained by the General Partner and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.