SEMINAR IN FORENSIC SCIENCES
Child Abuse Education Program of South Texas Objectives:
Utilize the most up-to-date information concerning domestic violence, child abuse, and neglect to improve patient care and client service
Collaborate more effectively with colleagues in health care, law enforcement, advocacy and counseling
Take appropriate steps to maintain your health and well-being as an intervener and advocate for children
Utilize the most up-to-date information concerning domestic violence, child abuse, and neglect to improve patient care and client service
Collaborate more effectively with colleagues in health care, law enforcement, advocacy and counseling
Take appropriate steps to maintain your health and well-being as an intervener and advocate for children
People
Speakers
Topics
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
From physicians to social workers, LPCs, LMFTs, LCSW Counselors, pyschologists, nurses, law enforcement, attorneys and judges – all of our attendees are looking to stay on top of the latest trends and information.
Physicians
Valley Baptist Medical Center is accredited by the Texas Medical Association to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. Valley Baptist Medical Center – Harlingen designates this live continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 18.00 AMA PRA category 1 credits. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in this activity. The planning committee for this program has no affiliations of financial interest to disclose.
Social Workers, LPCs, LMFTs, LCSW Counselors & Psychologists
Joseph LaBeau, LPC is a sponsor of certain CEU credit for this conference. He is an approved provider of continuing education by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners, Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Board of Marriage & Family Therapists. This activity is approved for 18.00 credit hours from the appropriate licensing boards. Requirements include attending the entire conference and the completion of an evaluation form to receive CEU’s.
Nurses
Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen is approved provider of continuing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #16598, for 18.00 “Contact Hours”. Contact hours only applicable for initial full course.
Law Enforcement Attorneys/Judges
Law Enforcement: TCOLE will be given upon completion.
Attorneys & Judges: Course has been submitted and pending approval by the Texas Bar for Continuing Legal Education.
Speakers
Our 1,000 attendees are looking to stay on top of the latest trends and information, meet and connect with other people interested in the future of Forensic Sciences
Brandy Bailey
Assistant District Attorney Cameron County Attorney’s Office Brownsville, Texas
Jamie Ferrell, MBA, BSN, RN, DF-IAFN, CA/CP SANE, SANE-A, SANE-P
Clinical Director Forensic Nursing Services Memorial Hermann Health System
Sonja Eddleman, MSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P
Clinical Coordinator, CARE Team Driscoll Children’s Hospital Clinical Director, CAART Team Valley Baptist Health System
Ada Booth
Dr. Booth is a member of the CARE (Child Abuse Resource and Education) Team at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
Robert Vela
Mr. Vela is Special Investigations Program Director in the Region 11 Office of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Oscar Peraza
Mr. Peraza is Child Protective Investigations Regional Director Assistant.
Marguerite DeWitt
DeWitt is a member of the faculty of the Criminal Justice Program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Stanley Fisch, MD
UTRGV School of Medicine Chairperson, Forensic Sciences Seminar
Michael Sanchez
Sanchez is a member of the faculty of the Criminal Justice Program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
James Lukefahr
Dr. Lukefahr is Director of the Center for Miracles at Children’s Hospital San Antonio and Professor of Pediatrics, UT Health Science Center San Antonio.
Lora Spiller
Dr. Spiller is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics at UTHSCSA.
Laura Reagan
Ms. Reagan is Executive Director of the Cameron County Children’s Advocacy Center.
Andrew Campbell
Mr. Campbell is a researcher, consultant, and trainer in the fields of child abuse and domestic violence.
Shivani Maffi
Dr. Maffi is Associate Professor in the School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Brett Pattillo
Dr. Spiller is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics at UTHSCSA.
Kathy Carter
Ms. Carter is Research Librarian in the School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Cindy Perez Waddle
Ms. Waddle is Senior Counselor at the Children’s Bereavement Center of the Rio Grande Valley.
Marsha Griffin
Dr. Griffin is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and President and CEO of Community for Children, Inc., a non-profit organization working to aid refugees at our southern border.
Schedule
From nurses to physicians, LCSWs, and attorneys – all of our 1,000 attendees are looking to stay on top of the latest trends and information, meet and connect with other people interested in the future of technology, innovation, policies and research. What about you?
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Time
Session
Speaker
- 8:00 - 8:15
- Welcome
Stanley Fisch, MD
UTRGV School of Medicine Chairperson, Forensic Sciences Seminar
- 8:15 - 9:30
- Child Neglect
Ada Booth
Dr. Booth is a member of the CARE (Child Abuse Resource and Education) Team at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
- 9:30 - 10:45
- Photo Documentation
Robert Vela and Oscar Peraza
Mr. Vela is Special Investigations Program Director in the Region 11 Office of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Mr. Peraza is Child Protective Investigations Regional Director Assistant.
- 10:45 - 11:00
- Break
- 11:00 - 12:30
- Pitfalls in Child Death Investigation
Marguerite DeWitt and Michael Sanchez
Drs. DeWitt and Sanchez are members of the faculty of the Criminal Justice Program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
- 12:30 - 1:30
- Lunch
- 1:30 - 3:00
- Abusive Head Trauma
James Lukefahr and Lora Spiller
Dr. Lukefahr is Director of the Center for Miracles at Children’s Hospital San Antonio and Professor of Pediatrics, UT Health Science Center San Antonio. Dr. Spiller is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics at UTHSCSA.
- 3:00- 3:15
- Break
- 3:15 -4:45
- Scene Documentation and Doll Re-Enactment Protocol
Marguerite DeWitt
Dr. DeWitt is a forensic pathologist and a member of the faculty in the Criminal Justice Program of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
- 4:45 - 5:00
- Discussion, questions and closing comments
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Time
Session
Speaker
- 8:00 - 8:15
- Welcome
Stanley Fisch, MD
UTRGV School of Medicine Chairperson, Forensic Sciences Seminar
- 8:15 - 9:45
- Forensic Interviewing
Laura Reagan and CAC Staff
Ms. Reagan is Executive Director of the Cameron County Children’s Advocacy Center.
- 9:45 - 10:00
- Break
- 10:00 - 12:00
- Case and Image Review
Jamie Ferrell and Sonja Eddleman
Jamie Ferrell and Sonja Eddleman are distinguished leaders and educators in forensic nursing.
- 12:00 - 1:30
- Lunch
- 1:30 - 3:00
- War in the Womb
Andrew Campbell
Mr. Campbell is a researcher, consultant, and trainer in the fields of child abuse and domestic violence.
- 1:00 - 2:00
- The Work of the RGV Child Exploitation Intervention Taskforce
Eddie Hurtado and Joe Mirino
Eddie Hurtado: Commander RGV Child Exploitation Investigations Task Force. Joe Mirino: Special Agent Homeland Security Investigations.
- 3:00 - 3:15
- Break
- 3:15 - 4:30
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Shivani Maffi
Dr. Maffi is Associate Professor in the School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
- 4:30 - 4:45
- Discussion, questions and closing comments
Friday, November 6, 2020
Time
Session
Speaker
- 8:00 - 8:15
- Welcome
Stanley Fisch, MD
UTRGV School of Medicine Chairperson, Forensic Sciences Seminar
- 8:15 - 8:45
- Student 1 – Essay Contest Winner – 3rd Prize
- 8:45 - 9:45
- Case Study
Brandy Bailey, Brett Pattillo and Sonja Eddleman
Ms. Bailey and Ms. Pattillo are Assistant District Attorneys in the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Bailey supervises the Child Abuse Unit. Ms. Eddleman is CARE Team Clinical Coordinator at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
- 9:45 - 10:00
- Break
- 10:00 - 11:00
- Library Resources for Study and Research in Social Sciences
Kathy Carter
Ms. Carter is Research Librarian in the School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
- 11:00 - 11:30
- Student 2 – Essay Contest Winner 2nd Prize
- 11:30 - 12:00
- Student 3 – Essay Contest Winner 1 st Prize
- 12:00 - 12:30
- Lunch
FAITH SUMMIT
- 12:30 - 12:40
- Welcome & Introductions
Janet Magee
- 12:40 - 1:30
- Loss, Grief, and Mental Health: How the Pandemic is Affecting our Youth
Cindy Perez Waddle
Ms. Waddle is Senior Counselor at the Children’s Bereavement Center of the Rio Grande Valley.
- 1:30 - 2:30
- Child Trafficking in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Joseph G. Baker
Mr. Baker is a Supervisory Special Agent of the Department of Homeland Security and Commander of the Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Taskforce.
- 2:30 - 3:30
- Refugee Children Held Along the Border
Marsha Griffin
Dr. Griffin is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and President and CEO of Community for Children, Inc., a non-profit organization working to aid refugees at our southern border.
- 3:30 - 4:30
- Ministering to Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
Dave Lockridge
Pastor Lockridge is Founder and Executive Director of ACE Overcomers.
- 4:30 - 5:30
- Responding to Child Abuse Within Your Congregation
Cornelia Garza
Ms. Garza is Faith Specialist, Region 11 of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Ticket Prices
Special Recognition
We would like to recognize The Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation and Blue Sunday for the generous donations and support of this conference. The continued support has allowed everyone attending this conference a scholarship in the form of a reduced rate, and to continue to educate the origins and ramifications of child abuse and domestic violence in our community.
Amazon Smile Partner
Past Seminar Presentations
Forensic Conference 1: Nov 5, 2004
Speaker
Yolanda de Leon, JD
Vincent Di Maio, MD
Lt. William Walsh
William Smock, MD
William Smock, MD
Joni McClain, MD
David Senn, DDS
James Beasley
Topic
Criminal prosecution of CAN
Vampires, Atlantis, SBS and other mythological entities
Investigating fatal CAN
Clinical forensic medicine
Pattern injuries
ME perspective on CAN
Bite marks in CAN
Motivations of perpetrators in child homicides
Forensic Conference 2: Nov 4-5, 2005
Speaker
David Montague, JD
James Farren, JD
Jay Lapham, JD
Randy Hanzlick, MD
Saroja Bharati, MD
Fred Jordan, MD
Det. Cathy de la Paz
Sgt. Byron Fassett
Norma Jean Farley, MD
Gael Lonergan, MD
William Smock, MD
Susan Ander, PhD
John Teer, PhD
Scott Dixon, LMSW
Linda Wade, PhD
Stanley Fisch, MD
Topic
Child homicides under Texas law
And a little child shall lead them
Shaken baby syndrome
SUID – History, investigation, and approaches
Sudden cardiac death
ME based surveillance for infectious disease
Conducting the recovery and high risk infant interview
Child pornography and victimization
SIDS
Forensic radiology of child abuse
Pattern injuries
Survivors: Therapy with abused children and adults
Confidentiality, clergy and the law
Mandatory reporting
HCISD
What’s next?
Forensic Conference 3: Nov 3-4, 2006
Speaker
William Smock, MD
Kathy Dittman and Bonnie Armstrong
Miriam Ybarra
Dave Pelzer
DeWitt, Armstrong, Dittman, Farley, Turner
Sonja Eddleman, RN
Harry Wilson, MD
Det. Bob MacFarland
Jamie Farrell, RN and James Farren
Hon. Migdalia Lopez
Jose Montalvo M., MD
Susan Ander, PhD
John Teer, PhD
Scott Dixon, LMSW
Topic
Golden hour in the response to CAN
SBS training in hospitals
Drug endangered children
Keynote address
SBS panel
CART
Ethics of child abuse investigation
Exploited children on the Internet
The professional in court
Child abuse and family preservation
Manejo del abuso de nino en Tamaulipas
Survivors: Therapy with abused children and adults
Confidentiality, clergy and the law
Mandatory reporting
Forensic Conference 4: Nov 9-10, 2007
Speaker
Joe Marchan
Nancy Harper, MD
Carole Hurley
Hon. John Specia
Det. James Fitzgerald
John Bradley
Rebecca Girardet, MD
Sonja Eddleman, RN
Det. Bob MacFarland
Rev. Alan Bagnall
Susan Ander, PhD
Panel
Topic
Crime scene investigation – the real CSI
Munchausen syndrome by proxy
Prenatal drug exposure
Keynote address
DNA collection
Manipulation of DNA evidence
Interpretation of DNA evidence
CART update
Internet porn and victimization
Pastoral perspective on family violence
Victim recovery and family rehabilitation
Child abuse prevention
Forensic Conference 5: Nov 14-15, 2008
Speaker
Nancy Harper, MD
Sonja Eddleman, RN
Bruce Berberian, MD
James Lukefahr, MD
Hon. Tara Rios Ybarra
Mock trial
Michael Lytle
Reade Quinton, MD, Capt. James Rickhoff, Chris Greeley, MD
Topic
Medical conditions mistaken for abuse
Medical forensic evaluation of sexual assault
Xray cases
Risk of CAN and steps to prevent
Keynote
Training next generation of CSI
SUID death scene investigation
Forensic Conference 6: Nov 12-13, 2009
Speaker
Juan Parra, MD
Jamie Farrell, RN and Tiffani Dusang, RN
Brenda Heredia
Lunch – table topics
Case review
Michael Lytle
Reade Quinton, MD
Ann Cortez and Israel Garza
Graciela Reyna and Kathy Carter
Juan Avalos
Stanley Fisch, MD
Topic
Child fatality review
Strangulation
Family violence and effects on children
Forensic science issues
Autopsy
Elder abuse
Forensic science resources from the NLM
Internet pornography
When bad things happen
Forensic Conference 7: Nov 11-12, 2010
Speaker
Nancy Harper
Chris Greeley
Janis Feldman
Alan Bagnall
Marguerite DeWitt (keynote)
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Norma Farley
Mike Ilse, Brandi Moss
Nancy Harper
Brenda Heredia
Kaysie Reinhardt
Rose Marie Penzerro
Topic
Is obesity child abuse?
Myth busters: abusive head trauam
Ethical conflicts in social work
Ethical dilemmas in the care of critically injured victims of abuse
The Rubio case: all things work together for good…
Case review
Death scene investigations – an ME’s wish list
What first responders at a death scene need to know
Can urine drug screening make your case?
Child victims in divorce and custody cases
The foster care redesign
The special needs of foster kids
Forensic Conference 8: Nov 9-11, 2011
Speaker
Nancy Harper
Reade Quinton
Juan Gonzalez
Anna Jimenez
Steve Pliszka
Ricardo Jimenez and Jamie Ferrell
Happy (Efrain Guerrero)
Justin Mazzeo
Jane Burstain
Reena Isaac
Nancy Harper
Matthew Cox
Walter Lambert
Joseph Labeau
Matthew Cox
Walter Lambert
Jennifer Schuett and Tim Cromie
Topic
Torture, scapegoating
Examination and interpretation of injuries
Investigating domestic minor sex-trafficking
How to effectively prosecute a case
Psychotropic drugs for foster kids
Spoken words from small voices
Ethics in communication
Drug endangered children
Legislative update – CPS funding
Smoke and mirrors – medical child abuse
Controversies in abusive head trauma
Unusual genital findings
The neglect of neglect
PTSD in victims and caregivers
Burns
Assessing maltreatment in multicultural communities
Building bridges – solving cases
Forensic Conference 9: Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2012
Speaker
Marguerite DeWitt, Angelika Potempa
Lyndell Williams
Janet Magee
Shelly Martin
Ada Booth
Gladys Ajero
Stephanie Contreras
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Matthew Cox
Nancy Harper
Matthew Cox and Eren Price
Matthew Cox, Eren Price, Carmen White
Robert Giles
Robert Giles
James Lukefahr
Nancy Harper
Topic
Ethical issues of mandated reporting
The mind of a sexual predator
Keynote – Blue Sunday
Abusive head trauma – confessions vs physical findings
Lifting the veil on common causes of child death
The effect of stress on the developing brain
Suicide prevention
“It’s all about down there” – pediatric sexual assault review
Chest and abdomen trauma
EXSTRA – examining siblings to recognize abuse
Not everyone is Dr. McDreamy
Starvation of the mind, body and soul
Behind the “net” – using technology in child abuse investigations
Overcoming untrue defenses in child abuse
Biomechanics of fractures
Sticks and stones and broken bones
Forensic Conference 10: Nov 6 – 8, 2013
Speaker
David Senn, DDS
Kathleen Coulborn Faller, PhD
Joseph Labeau, Kathleen Faller, Linda Myers
Nancy Harper, MD and Brittany Jensen
Nancy Harper, MD
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Lyndel Williams
Bill Smock, MD
Nancy Harper, MD and Sonja Eddleman
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Nhung Tran, MD
James Farren
Brandy Bailey and Stephanie Rollins
Manny Vela
John Specia
James Farren
Bill Smock, MD
Topic
Bitemark evidence in abuse cases
Disclosure of child sexual abuse – what the research tells us
Panel discussion – mental health issues
Float like a butterfly, sting like a Wii
You bruise, you lose
Pediatric sexual assault case review
Psychopaths
Strangulation
Retinal hemorrhages
Adolescent sexual assault case review
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
A little child shall lead them
We’re here to get you out
Keynote
Remarks by the Commissioner of DFPS
Testifying in court
Forensic evaluation of GSW – applications for the officer-involved shooting
Forensic Conference 11: Nov 5 – 7, 2014
Speaker
Bill Reagan
Elizabeth Miller, MD
Tina Briones, Joe Jaime, Kathleen Phillips, Michelle Smith
Rosalva Resendiz
Velma Schmidt
Sonja Eddleman
Sonja Eddleman, Jamie Ferrell
Lyndel Williams
Darlene Ellison
Dan Lindberg
Jim Tanner
Dan Lindberg
Nancy Kellogg
Ray Perryman
Sonya Thorn
Jim Tanner
Topic
Opening remarks
Challenges of child death investigation
End of life issues
Human rights and trafficking
Understanding child abuse and trauma
The medical-forensic exam for sexual assault
Sexual assault case review
Drug-facilitated sexual assault
The predator next door
Screening for child abuse in the ED
How sexual predators groom
The cutting edge in abuse diagnosis
Disclosure of sexual abuse
Economic costs of child abuse
Nurturing Parenting Program
Living with the memories
Forensic Conference 12: Nov 4-6, 2015
Speaker
Joseph Labeau
Diana Barnes
Sasha Rasco
Matthew Cox
Dyann Daley
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Raquel Vargas-Whale
Ada McCloud
Matthew Cox
Chris Greeley
Dave Lockridge
Dara Bowlin
Anu Partap
Steve Miller
Linda Gottlieb Kase
William Bernet
Brandy Bailey and Nate Navey
Lee Reedy
Topic
Taking care of the caretaker
Postpartum psychosis, child abuse, and the law
DFPS child death prevention initiatives
Two is worse than one
Tracking child maltreatment
Sexual assault case review
Interpersonal violence and its effect on children
Best practices for multidisciplinary teams
Ignoring doctors’ orders: the spectrum of medical neglect
Adverse experiences and disparities in care and outcomes
Understanding and overcoming the cycle of adverse childhood experiences
Internet crimes against children
Mental health of children in foster care
Evidence and logic
Parental alienation
Children who provide false information about sexual abuse
Child as witness – recent court cases
NCMEC resources
NCMEC resources
Forensic Conference 13: Nov 2-4, 2016
Speaker
Andrew Campbell
Ada Booth
Dyann Daley
Melinda Lopez
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Lyndel Williams
Ashley Griffin and Maggy McGiffert
Ryan Brown
Lee Reed
Stanley Fisch
Nancy Harper
Elizabeth Gershoff
Nancy Harper and Lorren Jackson
Bishop Aaron Blake
Topic
Domestically violent homes: the threat of harm to children
Psychological maltreatment
What engagement rings and spanking have in common
The healthcare impacts of human trafficking
The National Protocol for Pediatric Sexual Abuse Forensic Assessments
Case and image review
Sexual assault on campus
Sexual assault on campus – Blueprint for Police
The silent abuser – why neglect is the monster hiding in the closet
Human trafficking
Prevention not intervention
Chest and abdominal trauma
Violence against children is preventable: interventions to reduce
physical punishment across family, school, and medical contexts
Drowning or deception? (case study)
CarePortal
Forensic Conference 14: Nov 8-10, 2017
Speaker
Valentine Nduku
Marsha Griffin
Leemie Kahng-Sofer
Ruby Charak
Ryan Brown
Ryan Brown
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Barbara Knox
Kelsey McKay
Andrew Campbell
Laura Tillman
Otto Velasquez
Brandy Bailey and Melanie Palomo
Barbara Knox
Molly Voyles and Roy Rios
Faith Summit
Topic
Brain injury in child abuse
Immigrant and refugee children
Children missing from care: NCMEC resources
Psychological trauma of child maltreatment
Child abuse 101
Visual diagnosis of child abuse
Case and image review
Medical aspects of human trafficking
Strangulation
Domestic violence victim reports to responding law enforcement officers
The Long Shadow of Small Ghosts
BRUE
Case studies
Burns
Navigating safety: technology
Forensic Conference 15: Nov 7-9, 2018
Speaker
Ruby Charak
Linda Nelson and Laura Garcia
Greg Reyero
Eddie Hurtado and Joe Mirino
William McClain
Sonja Eddleman and Jamie Ferrell
Lyndel Williams
William Kasberg and Shannon Purkiss
Kathy and Mark Dittman
Andrew Campbell
Bradley Norat
Andrew Campbell
James Lukefahr
Noe Ramirez
Faith Summit
Topic
Basics of child abuse, domestic violence, and trauma informed care
Teens in trouble substance abuse, mental health issues, and poor physical health
Interdiction to Protect Children
RGV Child Exploitation Intervention Taskforce
Investigation of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
Sexual assault – case and image review
Psychopaths, youth, and school shooters
Mental health-informed approach to community policing
Shaken Baby Syndrome – 20 years of advocacy
Pet abuse, child abuse, and interpersonal violence
Physical abuse – the basics
Pregnant partner abuse
Foster care in Texas
Domestic violence and child abuse – effects on children
Frequently Asked Question
We host this seminar once per year and this is our 17th year presenting.
It will take place via Zoom conferencing.
The seminar begins at 8 am Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
The event pricing is $50 for a 3 day pass or $25 for a 3 day student pass.
Registration can be made by clicking here.
We do not provide details of other attendees to the public.