Keynote Presentations!
Monday's Keynote
The Murdaugh Murders
On June 7, 2021, prominent attorney Alex Murdaugh reported that he found his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, had been shot and died on their isolated family estate known as Moselle. Investigators with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) responded to the gruesome scene and began a year and a half long investigation into a well-known and dangerous legal family, which also discovered multi-million-dollar theft from clients, partners, and the law firm. This Case Study Presentation will show attendees the challenges encountered throughout the investigation and how financial crimes and misrepresentation to insurance companies played their part in what investigators deemed Alex’s motive behind these gruesome crimes.
David Owen | Retired Senior Special Agent, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Born and raised in South Carolina, David began his law enforcement career in May 1996 with his hometown agency, the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. In 1999, he relocated to the Charleston area, serving with the Folly Beach Department of Public Safety before joining the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in 2002. During his tenure with CCSO, David held a wide range of investigative and operational roles, including Crime Scene Investigator, Fire/Arson Investigator, Auto Theft and Property Crimes Detective, and Violent Crimes Detective. In 2012, David was promoted to Sergeant, where he supervised a patrol squad, School Resource Deputies, the Special Victims Unit, the Property Crimes Unit, and the Gang Intelligence Unit (GIU). He later transformed the GIU into a dedicated investigative unit, staffing it with two detectives, one of whom served as a Homeland Security Task Force Officer. David’s final assignment with CCSO was as an Administrative Sergeant overseeing Policy and Procedures as well as State and CALEA accreditation. In July 2015, David joined the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) as a Special Agent assigned to Investigative Services in the Low Country Region, covering many rural counties lacking resources to investigate major or complex cases. After 28 years of service, David retired in June 2024 but still holds a State Constable (Inactive) Commission. He currently serves as a Senior Special Investigator with Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company based in Goldsboro, NC.
Wednesday's Keynote
The Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito Murder Investigation
The presentation will walk the audience through the events leading up to the murder of Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito and follow the criminal investigation from a law enforcement perspective.
Loretta Bush | Special Agent, FBI Tampa Division
Special Agent (SA) Loretta Bush has been employed with the FBI Tampa Division since October 2016. Prior to her employment with the FBI, SA Bush served on active duty in the United States Air Force (USAF), serving in the Intelligence community as an Arabic Linguist/Intelligence Analyst. Upon graduating from the FBI Academy, she was assigned to the Sarasota Resident Agency (SRA) to work on the Violent Crimes Task Force covering all federal violent crime, gangs, and narcotics violations across SRA’s four county area of responsibility. SA Bush transferred to the Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force in 2021, covering all federal criminal violations related to the sexual exploitation of children and human trafficking. SA Bush is also an active member of the Tampa Division’s Evidence Response Team and Crisis Negotiation Team.
James Keller | Special Agent, FBI New Orleans Division
Special Agent (SA) James Keller has been employed with the FBI New Orleans Division since October 2024. Prior to his employment with the FBI, SA Keller worked for the North Port Police Department since December 2012. SA Keller began his investigative career as a Detective in March 2016, working on thefts, robberies, sexual battery, homicides, and violent crimes. SA Keller transitioned to Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) in 2019, along with becoming a Task Force Officer with the FBI Tampa Division assigned to the Sarasota Resident Agency (SRA). SA Keller has experience in Cellebrite extractions and conducting proactive online investigations. In October 2024, SA Keller transitioned from local law enforcement to federal law enforcement. Upon graduating from the FBI Academy, SA Keller was assigned to the Monroe Resident Agency (MRA) to cover all federal crimes in the Monroe area to include crimes against children.
Friday's Keynote
The Hunt for the BTK Killer
This presentation will explore the serial murder case involving Dennis Rader (BTK) who terrorized the Wichita, Kansas area for over 30 years. BTK committed a total of 10 murders beginning in 1974 and ending in 1988. BTK was a very unusual serial killer in that he readily communicated with the public through the media and even named himself BTK (bind, torture, and kill). This presentation will guide the audience through all 10 murders beginning in 1974 and culminating in Rader’s identification and arrest. It will also detail the investigative strategy used to lure Rader to continue to communicate with law enforcement, which eventually led to his identification. Additionally, the interview strategy used to secure Rader’s confession will be discussed, and the actual interview video will be shown.
Robert J. Morton | Retired Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit
Mr. Morton has 40 years of sworn experience as a law enforcement officer across several different agencies, including federal, state, and county entities. Most of his experience (26+ years) was with the FBI. He was the Team Leader on the FBI’s Evidence Response Team and worked several national high profile crime scenes, including the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Atlanta Olympic Bombing, and the 9/11/2001 Pentagon Terror Attack. He retired as a Profiler from the Behavioral Analysis Unit after spending nearly 17 years assisting federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, he assisted several foreign law enforcement agencies in providing the same services. He was previously certified as a Senior Crime Scene Analyst with the International Association of Identification for nearly 20 years. He is a retired Fellow (General Section) with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and has provided instruction to numerous law enforcement agencies around the world. He has authored several articles, book chapters, and FBI publications on serial murder and other forensic topics. He is currently an Instructor with the University of Louisville, Southern Police Institute, providing instruction in homicide and sex crimes.
Planned Events and Details to Come
Social Events on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening
Forensic and General Photography Contest and Prizes
Student Poster Presentaion Contest and Prizes
Things of Note!
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Attendee Registration will close on September 1st, 2026.
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Vendor/Exhibitor Registration has limited space available.
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Cancellations and Refunds must be made prior to September 1st, 2026.
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The Monday Social Event will not include dinner.
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The Tuesday Social Event and the Thursday Banquet will include dinner.