Special Agent David Neill
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Special Agent David Neill
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Supervisory Special Agent Dave Neill: SSA Neill currently serves as an FBI Supervisory Special Agent overseeing an Indian Country Crimes squad in the FBI's Tucson Resident Agency, covering the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservations. During his time in the FBI, SSA Neill has worked Indian Country, Violent Crimes, Gangs, and Transnational Organized Crime violations. Prior to the FBI, SSA Neill worked for the City of Waukesha Police Department in Wisconsin. SSA Neill was the Case Agent on a criminal street gang investigation which utilized a federal T-III wiretap for Snapchat, which was the first use of its kind for the FBI and the first ever in Arizona.
Task Force Officer Soltero
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Task Force Officer Soltero
Federal Bureau of InvestigationTFO Soltero has served as an FBI Task Force Officer on the Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force, in the FBI’s Tucson Resident Agency since 2021. TFO Soltero is a Sergeant with the Tucson Police Department in the Special Investigations Section - Gun Crime Intelligence Unit. In addition to his TFO duties, TFO Soltero currently oversees the Tucson Police Department's NIBIN program, Firefly Gun Shot Detection Technology, and the newly created Crime Gun Intelligence Center. TFO Soltero is considered a Subject Matter Expert on Tucson area criminal street gangs and served as a Co-Case Agent on a criminal street gang investigation that utilized a federal T-III wiretap for Snapchat.
Linda M. Tobias
Senior Communications Advisor
Linda M. Tobias
Senior Communications AdvisorLinda Tobias is a writer and communications professional based in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. She has worked with the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP), Canada’s only police service dedicated to a public transit system, since 2017. Linda oversees MVTP’s sprawling digital footprint that includes 48 social media accounts across 8 platforms, part of an effort to meaningfully engage with the many diverse communities that MVTP serves. Thanks to the training and mentoring Linda provides to the department’s social media account holders, MVTP has seen several posts go viral and receive international media attention. Linda received an Inspector Commendation for her strategic use of social media following the shooting of an MVTP officer in 2019. Thanks to her efforts, key updates were shared in a timely manner, media requests were responded to, and misinformation was quickly corrected despite the overwhelming volume of related content being shared online. Before entering the world of policing, Linda worked as a freelance journalist and communications consultant. Much of her work was focused on developing and launching digital strategies for Canadian healthcare organizations.
Joe Koenig
CFE and Forensic Linguist | KMI Investigations
Joe Koenig
CFE and Forensic Linguist | KMI InvestigationsJoe is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Forensic Linguist (court-certified Expert Witness for Interviewing & Interrogation). He retired from the Michigan State Police after 26 years and has 50+ years of investigative experience in the public and private sectors. He is the award-winning author of two books on Forensic Linguistics, "Getting the Truth" (2014) and 2019 "Getting the Truth: I am D.B. Cooper.” He investigated/supervised investigations into homicides, organized crime, financial crimes, narcotics, and public corruption. Joe is Past President of the Michigan FBI National Academy Associates, a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), holds a BS in Accounting from Wayne State University and an MPA from Eastern Michigan University, where he received Phi Kappa Phi Honors. He now owns and operates KMI Investigations in Michigan, specializing in financial fraud investigations and Forensic Linguistics.
Rylan Simpson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | School of Criminolgy | Cst. Sam Zacharias
James Robertson, MA (AEDT)
School of Information Technology
James Robertson, MA (AEDT)
School of Information TechnologyJames has 20 years experience in the public safety field, working in a variety of roles including a sworn Special Constable in Ontario, Canada, a campus security officer, and a Security Systems Specialist (network admin). He is currently a Professor and Instructor at multiple universities and colleges, designing and teaching cybersecurity, education, and public safety courses. James is pursuing his CISSP certification along with his PhD in Criminal Justice (Homeland Security) researching the need for frontline police officers to possess digital literacy skills and competencies. James is an avid practitioner, researcher, presenter, and published academic writer with recognized expertise in digital forensics, cybercrime, cyber ethics, critical infrastructure, OSINT and crime, digital privacy, and policing.
In the Line of (Digital) Duty: Prioritizing Cyber Literacy in Police Education
Let's face it, the landscape of social interaction in general - and crime in particular - has become heavily dependent on digital tools, data, and networks. As society becomes continually entwined and enamored with ever-evolving digital technologies and online/connected everything, the need for public safety workers to effectively navigate digital tools, environments, evidence, and information sources has never been more important to the role of frontline police first responders. No longer the exclusive purview of specialized units and expert civilian members, today’s frontline officers are expected to competently navigate connected environments and tools - such as social media sites, geospatial intelligence, and OSINT - in their every call for service. This presentation explores the evolving landscape of police officer education and the critical need to build digital literacies, online skills, and technological competencies among every police officer. In particular, we discuss the role post-secondary education can play in preparing officers to meet the dynamic and digital requirements of their role. We highlight methods of infusing digital competencies in officer education and explore the need for curriculum that is both practical and academic (pracademic).
Dr. Oliver Stoetzer
Python for OSINT - Leveraging AI and Machine Learning
Join us for an insightful presentation tailored for intelligence professionals looking to enhance their OSINT capabilities with Python and machine intelligence. This talk will explore the integration of Machine Intelligence into OSINT practices, including computer vision, generative audio, and the use of local large language models (LLMs) to boost coding and debugging efficiency. Designed to benefit both novices and seasoned experts, the session will cover key topics such as OSINT capability development, de-risking software environments, managing version control with GitHub, and automating OSINT tasks.
The highlight of the presentation will be a discussion on a real-world capstone project, where we'll showcase the development of applications leveraging the latest AI tools and open-source neural networks. This talk not only aims to build technical proficiency for investigators but also emphasises practical applications in intelligence, business analysis, and investigations.
As a recognised authority in pioneering OSINT techniques using AI, Ben has had the honour of training key personnel from esteemed organisations, including the Metropolitan Police, the Home Office, and Buckingham Palace. His extensive investigative experience and unique insights into the convergence of AI and OSINT will offer valuable perspectives that are both current and actionable. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your OSINT toolkit and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of intelligence and security.
Ben M.
Hybrid threats, AI and new technologies affecting Community Policing and Social media: A European research perspective
The European Commission is enabling research activities involving Police Forces in order to prevent and find innovative solutions to security challenges.
This is a great opportunity for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to collaborate with other LEAs, Industry (companies, developers...) and Academia (Universities, security research entities...) so they can get valuable knowledge, provide user requirements, test new prototypes and uptake new technologies on security management.
These research projects and activities provide added value and relevant outputs to the European Police forces: Engagement with the community, prevention of disinformation campaigns and polarization, countering hate speech, networking & sharing best practices with other entities in Europe facing these same challenges, etc.
Some of the results that could be presented to the audience are: the European Network to counter Hybrid Threats, the community policing & social media management platform and strategies, the TAHCLE hate crime & hate speech police training programme (designed by the OSCE).
José L. Diego
Cyber HUMINT: Infiltration into the Digital Social World
In recent years, criminals have increasingly utilized social media and online platforms to share information and forge and maintain connections. They have become adept at shielding their personal and confidential data by employing techniques such as anonymous browsers, false online identities, private messaging, and closed group discussions. Last year alone, a platform like Facebook removed over 2 billion fraudulent accounts involved in covert communication within criminal circles, fraudulent activities, and spreading disinformation. Traditional investigative methods are falling short in gathering crucial information. More and more cases demonstrate that investigators must immerse themselves in the digital world of these criminals. The lecture "Infiltration into the Digital Social World" introduces an innovative approach to gathering digital intelligence. This presentation will highlight several real-life cases where Cyber-HUMINT (Human Intelligence through digital channels) played a critical role in investigating criminal organizations and individuals. Cyber-HUMINT is a method where investigators anonymously and discreetly use digital channels and psychological deception to obtain information from individuals who are otherwise unreachable by standard investigative techniques. The goal of this presentation is to explore how investigators can legally infiltrate the digital domains of criminals and their organizations, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of modern digital investigations.
Technology Abuse Investigations
Having spent the last 8 years working with Women's Silicon Valley, a resource group for abused women, I have worked with hundreds of women that are being abused by technology from their partners. These investigations have opened my eyes to how these types of incidents have been under served due to the nature of the abuse. I have made similar presentations to Google USA, Google Europe, and Google Asia.
Joseph Seanor
LUNCH
Breaking Boundaries: The FBI's Pioneering Use of Social Media in Criminal Investigations
SSA Neill and TFO Soltero will provide a case debrief of a social media driven investigation into a violent criminal street gang in Southern Arizona, with ties to Mexican Drug Cartels. The investigation involved the use of undercover Facebook and Snapchat accounts, as well as the use of Geo-Locates, Pen Register Trap and Trace Devices, and multiple federal T-III wiretaps. SSA Neill and TFO Soltero will discuss best practices as it pertains to the use of social media, specifically Facebook and Snapchat, in law enforcement investigations. They will also provide lessons learned and suggestions for overcoming common obstacles with these types of investigations. SSA Neill and TFO Soltero’s investigation was the FBI’s first use of a criminal federal T-III Snapchat wiretap, and the first of its kind in the District of Arizona. The investigation garnered a large amount of media attention, to include a Forbes article on the matter.
Task Force Officer Soltero
GameIntel Pro: Developing New Investigative Capabilities on Gaming Platforms
Join us for an exciting presentation aimed at enhancing the investigative prowess of both new and experienced professionals. The "Game Intel" presentation will introduce attendees to advanced techniques in machine intelligence for monitoring network traffic and geolocating subjects through video game platforms. This innovative approach is designed to support covert investigations by identifying and exploiting OSINT leaks on major public gaming platforms and forums.
Our session will delve into the specifics of how Cybernest Labs is equipping UK police forces with the skills to trace IP addresses and extract valuable machine intelligence from gaming environments. This capability opens up new investigative avenues and generates actionable leads, providing a significant boost to ongoing operations.
We will showcase practical examples and case studies to illustrate the impact of these techniques in real-world scenarios. Participants will gain insights into the integration of machine intelligence with traditional OSINT practices, enhancing their overall investigative toolkit.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts in the field and elevate your investigative capabilities with cutting-edge tools and methodologies. Join us and stay ahead in the dynamic world of intelligence and security.
Ben M.
Social Media 101: Current Apps, Cyber Bullying, Sextortion
Gain essential knowledge and insights into the latest social media apps and the pressing issues of cyberbullying and sextortion. This session will provide an overview of popular social media platforms, their features, and user demographics. Delve into the serious topics of cyberbullying and sextortion, understanding their impact on individuals and communities. Learn proactive strategies and best practices for preventing and addressing these issues, equipping you with the tools to foster a safer and more supportive online environment.
Constable Laurie McCann
The Rise of Fentanyl & Big Crimes on Social Media: How we can be where the Criminals are to Keep Kids Safe
Each week, a classroom full of children die due to illicit pills laced with fentanyl. How can we combat this? What’s the best way to educate communities? How do we use social media to engage children on this topic? The National Crime Prevention Council and Amy Neville from the Alexander Neville Foundation are on a mission to save lives and educate law enforcement on new tools to engage youth.
Tatiana Peralta
Overview of our Social Media Operatives Course (SMOC) & how it has been successfully adopted nationally to target serious & organized crime – our journey – plus case studies.
Join Sergeants Tim Hughes and Tom Smith for a compelling presentation into their journey building a specialist OSINT and SOCMINT team, focused on tackling gangs, serious youth violence, modern slavery and drug supply. Discover how national UK media and their experiences exposed the need for a complete overhaul in police tactics, especially with the rapid rise of social media and its links to serious and organised crime. They will share insights on the bespoke training required and created, In house procedures, tasking systems and some of the lessons that shaped the team's success. Through real-world case studies, you will gain a valuable understanding of key crime types that OSINT and SOCMINT can effectively target and the critical intelligence these tools can provide to drive better investigatory outcomes.
OSINT for Law Enforcement and Investigators: case study
Conducting open-source investigations manually can be daunting, akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. The relevant information is often buried within vast quantities of data, making both collection and analysis time-consuming and complex. Traditionally, investigative teams have had to juggle multiple tools, each requiring separate subscriptions. This not only incurs significant costs but also creates navigational challenges that hinder efficiency. In this presentation, we will showcase a compelling case study involving a wanted individual to illustrate how to improve the OSINT process and the challenges involved. We will demonstrate various OSINT techniques and tricks that enable the discovery of numerous digital fingerprints related to the target across the internet, including social media activity, online forum posts, and other publicly accessible data sources.
Nicolas De Rycke
Social Media Awareness & Investigations for Law Enforcement
Join us for an insightful presentation by Detective Jonathan Ceballos, a distinguished detective with the Miami-Dade Police Department, currently serving in the Homeland Security Bureau’s Intelligence Operations Unit. With a career spanning two decades, Detective Ceballos has cemented his reputation as a leading expert at the nexus of law enforcement and cybersecurity.
Detective Ceballos’ journey in law enforcement began in 2004 as a police complaint officer, a role that laid the groundwork for his future in integrating technology with emergency service dispatch. His pivotal assignment to the Computer Aided Dispatch Unit in 2011 allowed him to master the technological intricacies of emergency response. In 2017, he expanded his expertise to homeland security, marking a significant milestone in his career.
In this presentation, Detective Ceballos will delve into the critical role of social media in modern investigations conducted by the Homeland Security Bureau. He will share his extensive experience and insights from his work with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in the Counterterrorism Internet Targeting Unit and the United States Secret Service’s Miami Electronic Crimes Task Force (MECTF).
Equipped with comprehensive training from renowned institutions such as the SANS Institute, CompTIA, and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), Detective Ceballos will cover a wide range of cybercrimes, including cyber-attacks, sextortion, and offenses linked to social media.
Attendees will gain a deep understanding of the techniques and methodologies used in social media investigations, the challenges faced by law enforcement in the digital age, and the strategies employed to protect both digital and physical communities. Detective Ceballos’ unwavering dedication to safeguarding communities underscores his significant contributions to law enforcement and cybersecurity.
This presentation is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of social media, cybersecurity, and law enforcement. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the foremost experts in the field.
Det. Jonathan Ceballos
Forensic Linguistics - Finding facts for better decisions
Getting the truth isn’t easy, nor is understanding the real message. We learn at an early age to tell partial truths to avoid telling complete lies. Precise communication prevents and uncovers partial truths. Imprecise communication nurtures deception and poor decision-making. Developing special skills will help get the truth and lead to better ethical decision-making. The attendees will learn these skills through lectures and examples. Attendees will also learn the best method for obtaining uncontaminated statements, creating and preserving those statements for forensic analysis.
Joe Koenig
Crime Prevention in the Digital Age
A McGruff the Crime Dog® PSA is seen by Americans every minute. The iconic pre-tective is meeting criminals where they are and creating safe communities both online and off. It’s time to reimagine crime prevention and engage communities through social media platforms, digital ads, and new PSAs. Step into the action and join McGruff to Take A Bite Out Of Crime®.
Tatiana Peralta