2025 Conference on Violent Crime: Full Schedule

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8:30am EDT

Welcome and Opening Ceremony

Wednesday May 28, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT

Presentation of Colors
Virginia State Police Color Guard

National Anthem
Rachael Baxley

Opening Remarks
Director Jackson Miller, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Virginia State Police
Mike Costigan, Office of the Virginia Attorney General
Major Tony Haga, Virginia Tech Police Department
Chief Todd Brewster, Blacksburg Police Department

Wednesday May 28, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

9:00am EDT

Identification and Suppression of Tren de Aragua

Wednesday May 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Latham ABC

In just three years, there has been a nationwide proliferation of a violent gang from Venezuela, which has been facilitated by illegal border crossings. Tren de Aragua has been compared to MS-13, but there are distinct differences that law enforcement needs to be aware of. This presentation covers the founding, growth, structure, identification, and suppression of this public safety crisis.

Speakers

Palestra Group International

Wednesday May 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

10:45am EDT

The Art of Perception: Seeing What Matters

Wednesday May 28, 2025 10:45am - 12:15pm EDT

Latham ABC

The Art of Perception provides law enforcement, intelligence, and military leaders the necessary tools to enhance perception and communication in assessment, surveillance, and critical response. In this highly participatory, fast-moving, and visual presentation of works of art, participants revisit both the application of their perception skills and the ability to communicate concisely and effectively in exchanges of critical information. Specifically designed to address the role of perception and observation among team members, the training also emphasizes the importance of pattern recognition in acclimating to both short-term and extended threats, as well as honing situational awareness. Painting, sculpture, and photography are also employed to dismantle biases and long-held assumptions that impede collective decision-making and best practices. The overarching objective of The Art of Perception is to provide attendees with a renewed sense of critical inquiry and self-perception that will be instrumental in problem-solving strategies and prospective tactical initiatives.

Wednesday May 28, 2025 10:45am - 12:15pm EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

1:15pm EDT

Internet and Open-Source Investigations

Wednesday May 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Latham ABC

Digital data as evidence in investigations is well established and set to play a progressively more significant role in the future. A lack of understanding of the types of readily available digital data and what to do with it once you have acquired it can result in value-rich information being left undiscovered—information that can inevitably make or break cases. This presentation is designed to show how to legally utilize and exploit open-source intelligence.

Speakers

Scott Kilpatrick

Scott Kilpatrick has been a police officer with the Baltimore County Police Department for over 18 years and a detective for the past 16 years. He spent the early part of his career in the Vice Narcotics Unit, which worked to dismantle drug trafficking organizations. Early on... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

3:00pm EDT

Domestic Violence/Domestic Homicide Investigations

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Latham DEF

This presentation explores some of the key components of an effective domestic violence homicide investigation. Using case studies, Mr. Coker will address topics such as risk assessments, police and prosecution collaboration, lessons learned, and best practices, and discuss available resources to enhance the investigation and prosecution of offenders.

Speakers

Michael Coker

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

Michael J. Coker is a seasoned leader and educator with over twenty years of experience at the Portsmouth Police Department. He specializes in training professionals in leadership and domestic violence investigation strategies. Michael is currently a Field Services Coordinator... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Latham DEF

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Echoes of the Incident: Addressing the Realities of Critical Incident Aftermath

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Smithfield

Adam Blevins is a former Virginia State Trooper, licensed resident in counseling, and Operations Director for the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program. This session blends clinical insight, lived experience, and cultural awareness. The real weight of a critical incident often shows up long after the scene is cleared. The emotional, psychological, and organizational echoes can ripple through individuals, teams, and entire agencies, sometimes for years. This workshop takes an honest, trauma-informed look at what it means to face the aftermath of a critical incident from every angle: the personal impact on first responders, the role of leadership in shaping recovery, and the subtle ways organizational culture can either support healing or deepen the wound. Attendees will explore the lingering effects of trauma and moral injury on responders, what peer support looks like when it works, how agencies unintentionally contribute to long-term damage, and how to stop it, the difference between “getting through it” and actually recovering, and real-world strategies for supporting personnel, rebuilding trust, and restoring operational wellness. Whether you're on the front line or leading those who are, this session is about what comes next and how to make sure no one is left behind in the aftermath.

Speakers

Adam Blevins

Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP)

Adam is a certified Critical Incident Stress Management (CCISM) professional and has been the Operations Director of the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP) since January 2022. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in clinical... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Smithfield

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Gang Awareness

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Solitude

This workshop will show the most prominent gangs in the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC). The presentation will cover the mentality, dress, language, gang colors, gang signs, and other identifying characteristics of gang membership.

Speakers

Mike Duke

Virginia Department of Corrections

Mike Duke was born and raised in Harlem, New York. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. In 1996, he began his career in law enforcement with the Virginia... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Solitude

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Recognizing Child Torture – Response and Investigative Considerations

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Assembly Hall

Human service professionals—including those in law enforcement and child welfare—are highly skilled in identifying child maltreatment. However, many lack familiarity with child torture (CT) and the distinctive characteristics that differentiate it from other forms of maltreatment. As a result, aspects of torture may go unrecognized, with CT cases often classified as severe child abuse. This presentation will examine the defining elements of CT, contrast them with more widely recognized forms of child abuse, and address offender behaviors, investigative strategies, and the impacts on victims.

Speakers

Melissa R. Stormer

FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit

Dr. Melissa Stormer is a Supervisory Special Agent with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist. She has been an OSI agent for 21 years and has experience working and advising on investigations relating to violent crimes, sex crimes, crimes... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Assembly Hall

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

The Art of Perception: Multiple Perspectives for Better Decisions

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Duck Pond

In a rapidly changing world, situational awareness and effective communication skills are crucial to a successful critical response. In this breakout session, The Art of Perception will build on the keynote presentation by using works of art to provide law enforcement and intelligence professionals the tools to incorporate multiple perspectives into their decision-making, both in exigent circumstances and long-term challenges. Considering a range of perceptions will maximize understanding of legal and intelligence scenarios and minimize cognitive biases. Interactive exercises will highlight how to overcome persistent gaps in visual intelligence and lay the foundation for a more objective, informed, and effective response to critical incidents. 

Speakers

Amy Herman

As an attorney and art historian, Amy Herman has been conducting The Art of Perception for law enforcement and intelligence agencies at local, state, and federal levels since 2004. The program began with the New York City Police Department (Crime Scene Investigation, Hostage Negotiation... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Duck Pond

Breakout