Lunch & Learn

Join Us

November 13th 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Summary

In 2020, Detective MD Lee was assigned to a case involving a family with a decade-long history of interactions with Child Protective Services (CPS) and law enforcement, without any significant findings or actions. Despite numerous reports of abuse, earlier investigations by over 12 detectives from Conroe PD and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, as well as numerous CPS workers, failed to yield evidence due to a perceived "he said, she said" situation between the children's father and mother.

During a special staffing session at Children’s Safe Harbor (Conroe, TX CAC), Detective Lee took over the case. Forensic interviews were conducted with five of the seven children in the home, all of whom disclosed physical and sexual abuse by their father. A search and arrest warrant were executed, leading to the arrest of the father and the discovery of direct evidence, including explicit images and videos on digital devices.

Through the application of empirically validated investigative methods, Detective Lee was able to swiftly uncover and develop critical evidence, resulting in the father’s conviction at a jury trial and a 99-year prison sentence. This case study not only highlights the investigative failures that had previously occurred but also provides research-backed strategies to prevent similar investigative oversights in the future.

Objectives

1. Understanding Investigative Failures: Participants will identify and analyze the systemic failures in both CPS and law enforcement’s handling of long-term child abuse investigations, and how these failures contributed to missed opportunities for intervention.
2. Application of Empirically Validated Methods: Attendees will learn about the investigative techniques and forensic methods applied by Detective Lee, focusing on how these evidence-based strategies can enhance the detection of abuse and facilitate case-building in complex familial situations.
3. Preventing Future Failures: Participants will explore research-backed solutions and best practices designed to prevent investigative failures in future child abuse cases, including multidisciplinary collaboration, enhanced communication, and advanced forensic interviewing techniques.

About the Event

Join us for this Lunch & Learn on November 13, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Texas Tech Health Science Center building, 801 West 4th Street Odessa, Texas 79763. CNE, TCOLE, and CEU hours are available. CNE Hours are being provided by Medical Center Hospital. Registration is free and food will be provided.

Meet our Speaker

Detective Michael David Lee

Michael Lee has 14 years of continuous experience in Law Enforcement, all at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Michael Lee has spent the last six years as a Major Crimes Detective, assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, Special Victim’s Unit. He has been a Hostage Negotiator, assigned to the Homeland Security Division, Crisis Negotiations Team, and a Field Training Officer in his job assignments since starting at the Sheriff’s Office. Michael Lee holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate through TCOLE, a TCOLE Instructor Certificate, and a SAFVIC Special Investigator (TMPA) Certificate. He is also a Cellebrite Certified Operator and Physical Analyzer in Cellphone Forensics. Michael Lee has had professional involvement in thousands of cases since being assigned to the Special Victim’s Unit. He is listed as an expert witness resource at the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA) at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as an expert witness resource for the Institute for Coordinated Community Response (ICCR) associated with the Dallas Crimes Against Women Conference. Michael Lee has previously qualified in numerous court proceedings as an expert witness regarding criminal investigations of child abuse. He is also a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (ASPAC) Task Force on Munchausen by Proxy. He is a founding member and is the current sitting board President of the National Crimes Against Children Investigators Association (NCACIA), a nonprofit specializing in providing training and resources to professionals in the Crimes Against Children Community. He is a senior consultant and special investigator for the NCACIA, the Training Coordinator for the NCACIA, and a training partner with the Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners. Michael Lee is now also an advisory board member for the National District Attorney’s Association and an advisory board member for a joint Purdue University and Southampton research team for the “Safe Online Technology Tools Pillar” for the creation and augmentation of the “Suspect Hand Biometrics Tool for Unconstrained Imagery from CSEA Investigations