Registration
Registration
Please complete the form below to register for the 2026 Conference. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@mdiai.com.
To pay online please add your desired registration type to your cart and proceed to checkout. Please mail any checks or purchase orders to 16743 Hwy 67, Biloxi, MS 39532. Please contact treasurer@mdiai.com with any questions regarding payment.
Hotel Information
Hotel Information
Hilton Garden Inn, Pascagoula
2703 Denny Ave Pascagoula, MS 39567
Room Rate: $130/night
Click below or call (228)762-7182 to book your stay.
Speakers
Speakers
Sarah Mormino
Dr. Sarah Mormino has served as a forensic investigator and forensic supervisor for a local agency in central Florida.
Dr. Sarah Mormino has served as a forensic investigator and forensic supervisor for a local agency in central Florida. She holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Forensic Science. She has worked in crime scene for over six years, accruing over 400 hours of forensic training beyond her formal education. She also serves as adjunct faculty at two universities.
Dr. Mormino began scuba diving in 2014, joined a law enforcement recovery team in 2020, and founded The Forensic Diver, LLC in 2023. Since then, she has logged over 85 dives and completed more than 150 hours of various dive training. Over the last five years, Dr. Mormino has researched and taught how to apply forensic land methodologies to aquatic scenes, ensuring a thorough investigation from the start. She has applied her skills to several criminal cases and trained forensic and dive professionals worldwide. Her certifications include open water, advanced open water, NITROX, adventurer, and rescue diver. Additionally, she is a certified underwater photographer and a member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences.
Candace Young
Candace Young is a Lieutenant with the Biloxi Police Department, where she serves as the Public Information Officer and Supervisor of the Professional Standards & Training Unit.
Candace Young is a Lieutenant with the Biloxi Police Department, where she serves as the Public Information Officer and Supervisor of the Professional Standards & Training Unit. With over 12 years of law enforcement experience, Lieutenant Young’s background is rooted in investigations, with 8 of those years dedicated to that discipline. She served as a Detective at her previous agency before transferring to Biloxi in 2018. Lieutenant Young spent a number of years in the Crime Scene Unit, ultimately overseeing the unit as Sergeant before transitioning to her current role, which includes supervising Internal Affairs and Administrative Investigations as part of her broader responsibilities within the Professional Standards & Training Unit. In addition to her investigative work, she is a certified instructor in multiple disciplines, including Active Shooter Response and Tactical Emergency Medical Care.
Lieutenant Young holds a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science with an emphasis in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a Certified Master Public Information Officer (PIO), Certified Crime Scene Investigator, Certified Internal Affairs Investigator, and an Advanced CVSA Examiner. She is also a 2024 graduate of the School of Police Staff & Command at Northwestern University.
Committed to continuous professional growth, Lieutenant Young now leads several core functions within the department. Her responsibilities include overseeing Internal Affairs, Training, Field Training, Accreditation, Recruitment & Retention, and Public & Media Relations. She also supervises the department’s CVSA Examiners, leads the Bicycle Team as a collateral duty, and mentors local youth through the Public Safety Cadet program, helping them build leadership skills, discipline, and community awareness.
With a passion for bridging the gap between law enforcement and the public, Lieutenant Young focuses on transparent, timely, and strategic communication; especially when it matters most.
Jason DuCré
Jason DuCré began his law enforcement career in 2008 at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
Jason DuCré began his law enforcement career in 2008 at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. His commitment to public safety led him to the Gulfport Police Department in 2014.
During his tenure at the Gulfport Police Department, Jason has had various roles, including Patrol Officer, Street Crimes, the Criminal Investigative Division, and Public Information Officer. He has been a member of the entry team for SWAT, the Marine Unit, and DRIVE team, showcasing his commitment and dedication. Jason was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2024.
Jason carries out a wide array of responsibilities. These encompass managing traditional media and social media outreach, actively participating in recruitment efforts, and orchestrating community events that foster positive interactions between the police department and their community.
Jason dedicates his time and knowledge to educating future law enforcement professionals by teaching a diverse range of classes at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Training Academy, molding the next generation of officers with his experience.
Jason is also a mentor in the “Before the Bullet Program,” initiated by the Gulfport Police Department in July 2021. This program serves as a crucial intervention and mentorship initiative, helping guide young individuals away from potential troubles. The fruits of his labor are evident, with three program participants choosing to serve their country in the military. Many others have been positively influenced, steering clear of adverse paths through constant contact and guidance from Jason.
Jordan Jones
Jordan Jones is the founder and CEO of Holos, a performance optimization and wellness company dedicated to military personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and other high-stress professionals.
Jordan Jones is the founder and CEO of Holos, a performance optimization and wellness company dedicated to military personnel, law enforcement, first responders, and other high-stress professionals. With 20 years of military service—over half as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant—Jordan has firsthand experience navigating the demands of high-performance environments.
As a Human Performance and Wellness Coordinator within Army Special Forces, he played a key role in designing programs that enhanced resilience, recovery, and overall well-being for elite operators.
Drawing from this expertise, Jordan launched Holos to provide science-backed strategies that help professionals sustain peak performance while prioritizing long-term health. His mission is to bridge the gap between tactical excellence and holistic wellness, empowering individuals to thrive in both their careers and personal lives.
Therese Apel
Therese Apel is the founder and CEO of Darkhorse Press, a statewide digital news media company based in Flowood, after a journalism career that spans three decades.
Therese Apel is the founder and CEO of Darkhorse Press, a statewide digital news media company based in Flowood, after a journalism career that spans three decades.
Therese started writing sports and features for the local weekly Copiah County Courier at age 15, then went to Ole Miss where she reported sports for the campus newspaper and television station as well as the coaches’ shows on SportsSouth. She graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Criminal Justice. She eventually worked at the Southern Sentinel in Ripley; the Daily Leader in Brookhaven; and the statewide paper of record, The Clarion-Ledger, where she worked for almost a decade.
After a brief stint as the Communications Director at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Therese took a job at WLBT in Jackson as a general assignment reporter for two years. When her contract was up, she decided to try a fresh look at journalism by starting her own company, Darkhorse Press.
Darkhorse Press covers community news and crime statewide, with the mission of informing Mississippians of important news they need to know, balanced with serving as a positive part of Mississippi communities by telling positive news stories and spreading joy where possible. The brand promise is “We promise to report the unfiltered truth regardless of personal or political consequences. We will not sacrifice integrity to win the favor of any audience.”
Therese has appeared on national news, crime shows, and documentaries on several networks.
Kayce Lowe
Kayce Lowe is a Crime and Intelligence Analyst at the Dunwoody Police Department in Metro-Atlanta, where she manages the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), launched in late 2024.
Kayce Lowe is a Crime and Intelligence Analyst at the Dunwoody Police Department in Metro-Atlanta, where she manages the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), launched in late 2024. In this capacity, she ensures the seamless integration and functionality of advanced technologies, such as Flock Safety systems and a vast network of surveillance cameras. Additionally, Kayce contributes significantly to the Drone First Responder (DFR) program, serving on its national committee. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science and a master’s in Criminal Justice from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Mary Katharine Sullivan
Mary Katharine Sullivan is a Criminal Intelligence Analyst with over two decades of experience supporting local, state, and federal law enforcement operations.
Mary Katharine Sullivan is a Criminal Intelligence Analyst with over two decades of experience supporting local, state, and federal law enforcement operations. Since 2016, she has served as the lead Intelligence Analyst for the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, providing investigative support across Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Criminal Interdiction, and Patrol Divisions. Sullivan oversees the Realtime Operations Center (ROC), conducting digital forensics and delivering real-time intelligence through advanced analytical tools, including license plate recognition (LPR) systems. Prior experience with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics includes supporting state and federal investigations, wiretap and financial analysis, and statewide intelligence-sharing initiatives. Sullivan holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Mississippi and has received multiple awards for outstanding service.
Joshua Gibbs
Joshua Gibbs is a Sergeant with the Mobile Police Department (MPD) in Alabama. He works with the MPD Dive Team, Bomb Squad, Firearms Training Staff and serves as a Patrol Supervisor in Central Precinct that covers Downtown Mobile.
Joshua Gibbs is a Sergeant with the Mobile Police Department (MPD) in Alabama. He works with the MPD Dive Team, Bomb Squad, Firearms Training Staff and serves as a Patrol Supervisor in Central Precinct that covers Downtown Mobile. In addition to his paid duties with MPD he also volunteers with Daphne Search & Rescue where he is the unit Captain.
He is a Public Safety Diving trainer for both departments and holds PSD Instructor ratings through Dive Rescue International, Emergency Response Diving International and PADI. He is a trained Cave Recovery and Technical Diver in addition to being an FBI Firearms Instructor, Armorer, Certified Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Instructor, Dive Med Specialist and Emergency Medical Technician.
He has earned accommodations for life saving, excellent police duty, meritorious service and was WKRG’s First Responder of the month for November 2020, as well as the Alabama Association of Rescue Squad’s 2025 Rescuer of the Year . Gibbs maintains technician and trainer level certifications in dive rescue, water rescue, underwater investigations, water survival, firearms tactics, and critical incident response.
Captain Gibbs was instrumental in the formation and equipping of the Advanced Sonar Program at Daphne Search & Rescue and has taught and lectured on the successful implementation of sonar search techniques for Public Safety Teams and aquatic remains recovery and investigation.
George Chaix
George Chaix retired from a 27-year career in policing. Serving as a criminal investigator since 1996 and later in a command positions serving both the Gulfport and Biloxi Police Departments.
George Chaix retired from a 27-year career in policing. Serving as a criminal investigator since 1996 and later in a command positions serving both the Gulfport and Biloxi Police Departments. He also served in the Navy Reserve in the law enforcement career field serving as an instructor at the Military Police School, Command Chief of a Navy Security Forces Unit and as an investigator serving as the Chief of Military Police Investigations for the Country of Kuwait. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Forensic Science along with a Masters of Criminal Justice Administration, Doctoral Study at Liberty University.
Mr. Chaix currently serves as an Instructor of Criminal Justice for William Carey University and is a past president of the Mississippi Division of the International Association of Identification. He served in the past on the Board of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade, past Vice President of the Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers and is an adjunct Instructor for the Southern Regional Public Safety Academy.