Symposium on Traffic Safety May 19-22, 2025, Lake Buena Vista, FL

Courtroom Testimony

• The Art of Creating Reasonable Doubt: A Case Study (J.J. Evans/Dave Kopenhaver)
  - J.J. Evans, Integrated Impaired Driving Solutions, LLC
  - Dave Kopenhaver, Integrated Impaired Driving Solutions, LLC

  In this session, we will discuss the difference between probable cause and reasonable doubt, as well as the tactics defense attorneys use to create reasonable doubt. This session will include actual DUI reports and videos.

• Expert Prep for the Expert in All of Us (Jennifer Knudsen/Vin Petty)
  -  Jennifer Knudsen, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP), Colorado District Attorneys' Council
  - Vin Petty, Florida Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP)

  Are you preparing for court for the first time or the 101st time? Is the court set to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence, or will there be a trial where you'll face cross-examination and expert qualification? Join Jennifer Knudsen and Vin Petty as they share essential points to help you and your agency get ready for court, regardless of the situation. They’ll explore national resources, tried-and-true techniques, and how to develop a plan to refresh your skills, enhance your knowledge, gain more education, acquire additional experience, and much more.

• Navigating the HIGH-ways of Poly-Drugged Driving: A Growing Challenge to Roadway Safety (Chuck Hayes)
  - Chuck Hayes, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Drug Evaluation Classification (DEC) (Retired)

  Marijuana remains the most widely used illicit drug and is the most frequently detected non-alcohol substance in drivers across the United States. It has been shown to impair driving performance and increase the risk of crashes. However, the exact level of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a driver's system and its relationship to impairment is unknown. In this training session, we will present findings from a study involving 302 drug recognition experts (DREs) focused on cannabis and driving, along with other related research. These studies identified the most commonly detected indicators of impairment in drivers who have consumed cannabis, correlating various blood levels of THC with observed behaviors. We will also discuss which cognitive, perceptual, and psychomotor tasks are most often affected by THC and how these indicators relate to the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) program and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training.

• Relating SFSTs to Driving to Combat Defense Challenges (Deena Ryerson/Ashley Schluck)
  - Deena Ryerson, Oregon Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Oregon Department of Justice
  - Ashley Schluck, Wyoming Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Wyoming Highway Safety

  A fundamental strategy for defending a DUI case is to present the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) as complex and confusing elements of the case. This approach can encourage jurors to accept the defense's argument that the SFSTs should be given minimal weight when assessing a person's ability to drive safely. To counter this argument, it is crucial to effectively communicate the purpose of these tests and their relevance to essential driving skills. This session will simplify the various components of the SFSTs, using real-world analogies that relate to driving. We will also explore how to incorporate legal principles into your testimony regarding the SFSTs, aiming to connect all aspects of the case for the jury. After completing this course, you will be able to explain the SFSTs clearly and understandably, enabling the jury to grasp the connection between these tests, an individual's ability to drive safely, and ultimately, why they should convict someone for driving impaired.

• Surviving the Cross Examination While Winning the Minds of the Jury (Mark Eastty)

  - Lieutenant Mark Eastty, Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office

  In order to successfully prosecute DUI cases, law enforcement officers (LEOs) must be prepared to withstand often intense cross-examination. This session is designed to help LEOs understand the types of questions they may face during cross-examination in DUI cases, enabling them to respond effectively and handle challenges from defense attorneys with professionalism. Additionally, the session will provide LEOs with valuable tips and strategies for navigating cross-examination, empowering them to win the jury's favor and secure a guilty verdict.

DRE Topics

• The Biggest Four Myths in Drug-Impaired Driving (Joseph Jones)
  - Joseph Jones, PhD, North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory

  Join us for an informative workshop aimed at dispelling the four most common myths about impaired driving. This session will address crucial topics such as crystal meth use, cannabis impairment while driving, the importance of toxicologist testimony, and the complexities of poly-drug use. This lecture is essential for prosecutors who want to gain a deeper understanding of the realities surrounding impaired driving.

• Crash Reconstruction with the Drug Recognition Expert Perspective (John Brookshire)

  - Lieutenant John Brookshire, Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Canton, GA

  Investigations into serious injuries and fatal crashes caused by impairment are often conducted as two separate processes. Investigators frequently overlook how a DUI investigation can provide valuable insights for crash investigators, especially when a Drug Recognition Expert is involved, and vice versa. This session will illustrate how impairment contributes to the causation of crashes. For example, pupil size can affect vision during a collision, or evidence collected during the reconstruction may indicate that the driver was impaired at the time of the crash. This collaboration can also assist in the prosecution of the case by addressing questions that prosecutors and jurors may have about the reasons behind the crash.

• Flipping the Defense Expert - Taking Charge of the Narrative (Alaina Granade/John Hensley)

  - Alaina Granade, Chief Assistant Solicitor - General, Coweta County (GA) Solicitor - General's Office
  - Investigator John Hensley, Coweta County (GA) Solicitor - General's Office 

  This guide outlines a systematic approach to effectively present your case while mitigating unfavorable testimony. We will discuss techniques and strategies for utilizing expert witnesses to strengthen your defense. This joint presentation will offer perspectives from both law enforcement and the prosecution, providing a comprehensive approach to collaboratively shift the narrative in your favor.

• Integrating a Drug Recognition Expert on Your THI Team (Wade McKeeby/Bob Moss)

  - Corporal Wade McKeeby, Panama City Beach (FL) Police Department
  - Officer Bob Moss, Panama City Beach (FL) Police Department

  Discuss the benefits of integrating a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) into a Traffic Homicide Investigation (THI) team. Provide a specific example of the success achieved by having a DRE respond alongside the THI team. Additionally, describe the different responsibilities of the THI team and the DRE, and explain how information from both sources contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the investigation.

• You're An Expert. Why Are You So Scared? (Sarah Garner/Kyle van Althuis)
  - Sarah Garner, North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys
  - Captain Kyle van Althuis, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

  This presentation offers an overview of how expert witnesses are qualified under the Daubert and Frye standards, along with guidelines for officers preparing to testify in court. While officers may feel confident discussing their findings, they often feel anxious about the requirements for getting their testimony accepted. This session will explain the methods and questions prosecutors use to help alleviate concerns regarding expertise.

• DRE Field Certification Evaluations

  - Florida Drug Recognition Experts

  Certified Florida DREs can benefit from this session by performing evaluations in front of an instructor for recertification. Participants can also complete the necessary paperwork or submit their recertification forms. Additionally, veteran DRE instructors will be available to answer any questions you may have.

DUI Enforcement Topics

• Beyond Physiology: Identifying Medical Conditions vs. Drug Impairment (Joe Keil)
  - Joe Keil, President, Operation R.U.S.H.

  In this session, we will build upon the two-hour physiology training from the DRE school by exploring the eleven major systems of the human body and their responses to drug use. Through hands-on demonstrations and visualizations of neurotransmitters, we will simplify the complex processes occurring in the brain and examine the long-term effects of substance abuse. One of the biggest challenges I faced as a DRE was the fear of mistakenly arresting someone with a medical condition, believing it to be drug impairment. How can we accurately distinguish between the two? This session will provide you with valuable tools and strategies to navigate these challenging situations with greater confidence.

• A Deeper Dive into Diabetes (Josh Wilson)
  - Sergeant Josh Wilson, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro, Oregon

  This presentation, presented by a Type 2 diabetic and the parent of a Type 1 diabetic, aims to provide additional insights beyond basic DUI training regarding drivers who may be experiencing a diabetic medical event. The topics covered will include: an overview of Type 1, Type 2, gestational, and other forms of diabetes; signs of diabetic emergencies, such as critically low blood glucose and diabetic ketoacidosis; medications and supplies that a diabetic might have with them; how to distinguish between a diabetic event and alcohol or drug impairment; what steps to take when encountering a diabetic driver; considerations for crash investigations and actions to take to eliminate defenses in DUI investigations. This comprehensive information will enhance your understanding and response when observing potentially impaired drivers.

• Driving Under the Influence of Dissociative Anesthetics: Pharmacology and Case Profiles (Salvador Corral)
  - Sergeant Salvador (Sal) Corral, Houston Police Department

  Dissociative anesthetics are a class of psychedelic drugs that produce a unique type of anesthesia, which includes symptoms such as catalepsy, amnesia, significant analgesia, minimal respiratory depression, and a sense of detachment from one's surroundings. Drugs like phencyclidine (PCP), ketamine, and dextromethorphan fall within this category. This workshop will explore the emergence and prevalence of novel dissociative anesthetics, including analogs of PCP and ketamine. Additionally, it will present findings from an extensive 10-year case study on drivers who tested positive for PCP in Houston.

• The Eyes are the Windows to Impairment (Joey Koher)
  - Joey Koher, Huntington (WV) Police Department

  The eyes hold significant meaning! This course will equip officers with a deeper understanding of eye observations while the driver remains seated in the vehicle, ultimately enhancing the overall case. We'll cover foundational concepts along with advanced techniques, including assessments of bloodshot or watery eyes, irritated or droopy eyelids, signs of drowsiness, pupil size, responses to light, and eyelid tremors. Additionally, there will be a brief overview of common mistakes made during the administration of horizontal gaze nystagmus testing. Join us to learn how to establish best practices for your impaired driving investigations.

• Florida's Infatuation with Love Drugs (Nick Tiscione)
  - Nick Tiscione, Toxicology Unit Manager, Palm Beach County (FL) Sheriff's Office

  From Tusi (a combination of MDMA and Ketamine) in Miami Beach to Flakka (Alpha-PiHP) in Fort Lauderdale, and Molly (Dimethylpentylone) throughout the rest of Florida, the state has become known for its use of MDMA and substituted cathinones. These substances were initially more commonly associated with drug-facilitated crimes, such as sexual assault, but their prevalence has notably increased in impaired driving investigations. This discussion will cover recent trends, pharmacology, testing challenges, and the impact of these substances on human performance and driving through a series of case reports.

• Law Enforcement's Role in Reliable Toxicology Testing for DUI/DUID Investigations (Brittany Casey)
  - Brittany Casey, PhD., F-ABFT, Technology Manager/Forensic Toxicologist, NMS Labs

  Pre-analytical factors, defined as all events that occur before a sample is received by the testing laboratory, can significantly impact the quality of toxicology results. This session will discuss steps that law enforcement officers can take to help ensure the accuracy and reliability of toxicology testing in DUI/DUID investigations. Topics will include the selection of specimen containers, sample labeling and documentation, sample collection, and proper storage. Additionally, the session will review current recommendations for DUI/DUID cases and provide guidance on choosing the appropriate tests based on the case history.

• Roadside Oral Fluid Screening to Detect Impaired Drivers (Chuck DeWeese)
  - Chuck DeWeese, Responsibility.org

  In response to the rise in drug and multi-substance impaired driving, there is a pressing need for expanded drug testing on the roadside. For officers who are not specially trained in drug impairment detection, oral fluid screening can assist in identifying drivers who may have recently consumed drugs and would otherwise evade detection. This technology has proven to be an effective tool for SFST and/or ARIDE trained patrol deputies and officers who may not have extensive DRE training. This presentation will clarify what roadside oral fluid screening is and what it is not, how it is being Implemented across the country, and the successes observed in various states, with a particular focus on the Indiana roadside oral fluid screening program.

• SFST Table for 12 (Brad Owens)
  - Brad Owens, Georgia Public Safety Training Center

   

Florida Topics

• Florida DUI Case Law Update (Ben Fox)

  - Ben Fox, Assistant Misdemeanor Division Chief, Training Attorney, Brevard County (FL) State Attorney's Office, 18th Circuit

  Mr. Fox will provide an in-depth update on DUI case law in Florida, which is always a popular session for law enforcement officers. He will discuss relevant cases that have emerged and their implications for procedures and prosecution.

• Florida Legislative Update (Garett Berman)

  - Garett M. Berman, Esq., Executive Director, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association

  Garett Berman will discuss the new traffic laws enacted in Florida's recent legislative session and provide an update on those that did not pass.

• Law Enforcement and the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Program (Carmen Dixon/Todd Schimpf)

  - Carmen Dixon, Nurse Consultant, Florida Dept. of Health, Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU)
  - Todd Schimpf, Communications Manager, Florida Dept. of Health, Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU)

  This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of Florida's Medical Marijuana Use Program, including updates to the program, the interaction between law enforcement and the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, and a look of the Office of Medical Marijuana Use.

General Topics

• Microexpressions: Recognizing Non-Verbals to Further Investigations (Jay Riggen)
  - Sergeant Jay Riggen, Vermont State Police (Retired)

  This workshop aims to educate you about nonverbal communication. We will explore body language—both that of others and our own—and how it can enhance conversations. The session will include a variety of original video examples from real-world situations. Additionally, we will discuss practical applications of these skills in scenarios such as roadside interactions, impaired driving investigations, critical testimonies, and everyday social encounters.

• Enhancing Traffic Safety: Future Training Program to Improve Crash Data Collection and Reporting (Thomas Gwinn)
  - Thomas E. Gwinn, Highway Safety Specialist/MMUCC Course Manager
     U.S. Department of Transportation, Traffic Safety Institute

  Traffic crash reports play a crucial role in identifying high-risk areas, guiding law enforcement, improving infrastructure, and advancing vehicle safety technologies. In this session, we will preview upcoming training courses aimed at enhancing crash data collection. These courses will equip law enforcement and traffic safety professionals with the tools needed to create more accurate, consistent, and actionable crash reports. By improving the quality of data, these courses will contribute to smarter policing strategies, better infrastructure planning, and safer communities. Join us for an exclusive first look at how these new training opportunities will shape the future of traffic safety.

• Mind, Brain, and Education Science: Understanding Knowledge Acquisition (Christine Frank)
  - Christine Frank, Highway Safety Specialist, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

  Knowledge retention is essential for training police in skills like impaired driving identification. This presentation employs principles from mind, brain, and education (MBE) science to guide you through cutting-edge research on adult learning and its application in the classroom using evidence-based learning concepts. You will discover effective strategies to engage learners, including scaffolded learning and multimodal approaches. Drawing on new findings about optimal brain learning processes, the presentation will offer examples to enhance learning experiences. Additionally, you will learn how to teach effectively to all students.

• Thriving Thru the Night: Enhancing Performance, Resilience, and Health for Midnight Shift Workers (Monica Crawford)
  - Monica Crawford, First Responder Nutrition and Fitness Coach, Five-0 Fierce and Fit

  This presentation will cover simple strategies to enhance sleep, self-care, nutrition, and time management. The aim is to improve overall health and performance both on and off duty, ultimately fostering fulfillment in your career and ensuring a thriving retirement. You will learn how to create a structured schedule that optimizes health and longevity. Additionally, you will grasp the fundamentals of nutrition and discover easy meal prep strategies to maintain high energy levels and emphasize recovery.