The Weight We Carry: Trauma, Survival & Support for Those Who See Too Much

Adam Firman boasts a distinguished career in law enforcement, with over 15 years’ experience as a police officer and proficiency in various digital forensic solutions. He is well-versed in industry standards related to digital forensics and has been a certified trainer since 2014. He is a frequent speaker at global industry events on digital forensic topics and has served as an expert witness in high-profile court cases. Adam is deeply committed to serving and protecting the community.

Visiting Fellow at the University of Southampton and Higher Assistant Psychologist at Roseberry Park Hospital, I bring over 30 years of experience in policing and digital forensics, with a specialist focus on mental health in high-risk professions. I hold three Master’s degrees and have published widely on the psychological impact of digital forensic work. As Wellbeing Lead for Northumbria Police’s Digital Forensics Unit, I developed nationally recognised policies to support staff mental health. I’m passionate about improving psychological resilience in forensic settings through research, training, and advocacy.

Timothy Devine is a former special agent with Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Secret Service with more than 26-years of experience in state and federal investigations, computer forensic examination, and protective / security operations.

Mr. Devine began his federal service in 1996 as an Investigate Specialist in the counter intelligence division in New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 1999, Mr. Devine was commissioned as United States Secret Service Special Agent with Miami Field Office and was eventually selected as one of the first members of the Secret Service’s Miami Electronic Crimes Task Force (MECTF). While assigned to MECTF, Mr. Devine was responsible for multiple complex cybercrime and child exploitation investigation, including online undercover operations. Mr. Devine also completed training as a certified computer forensic examiner with the Electronic Crime Special Agent Program (ECSAP). As part of his Secret Service responsibilities, Mr. Devine was tasked with multiple protective duties including providing support for the Presidential and Vice-presidential Protective Divisions and conducting protective advance assignments for visiting heads of state, the United Nations General Assembly, and the G-8 Summit. In 2009, Mr. Devine was reassigned to the George W. Bush Protection Division in Dallas, Texas, which was charged with the personal protection former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush.

In October of 2010, Mr. Devine transferred to the Miami Office of Homeland Security Investigations where he continued conducting cybercrime and child exploitation investigations while also utilizing computer forensic software to support his investigative work. Mr. Devine worked extensively with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and Special Victims Units (SVU) throughout South Florida. Mr. Devine has provided training and support for United States Customs and Border Protection operations as it relates to border search authority and electronic examinations. Mr. Devine was also member of the Miami Dade Cold Case Squad and is considered a SME on child exploitation investigations.

During his career, Mr. Devine received the Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of Year Award - United States Attorney’s Office (Southern District of Florida), the Thomas Oberschmidt Rape Crisis and Abuse Center Recognition Award (Cincinnati, Ohio), The MECTF Investigator of Year, Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners Appreciation Award, and was the American Legion Federal Law Enforcement Officer Year Honoree. Mr. Devine also received the Arthur J. Felton Investigative Award by the South Florida Police Benevolent Association for his work with the Miami Dade Police Department Pillowcase Rapist Task Force.

Mr. Devine has been recognized for his contributions in the investigative field by the Florida Missing Children Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board, the Miami Dade Police Department, the United States Secret Service, and was case agent for 2008 United States Supreme Court case US v. Williams, which reaffirmed the constitutionality of the Pandering of Child Pornography violation in the United States.

Mr. Devine holds a bachelor’s Degree in Justice and Law Administration from Western Connecticut State University where he was a 4-year letterman and captain of the varsity basketball team and later honored as a Top-100 Distinguished Alumni.

Mr. Devine retired from federal service in December of 2024.

Kendall Alaimo is an award winning human rights activist, visionary artist, international speaker and survivor of child trafficking. She uses her art and her voice to combat modern day slavery. She has addressed the United Nations General Assembly, has given keynotes at major corporations like Amazon, has consulted with international security personnel at OSCE and has spoken to the US Military on post trauma resiliency. Kendall's life mission is to mitigate trauma's impact on individuals and communities worldwide.

Hannah is a Subject Matter Expert in Mental Health and Wellbeing, working as a Psychotherapist, Trauma Therapist and Wellbeing Coach in private practice at Blue Light Wellbeing. She also delivers public speaking and educational workshops to organisations internationally both in person and online.
Prior to this, she has 15 years’ experience working in frontline policing, including uniform emergency response, CID and Major Crime. Despite many happy and productive years in policing, she also suffered personal setbacks with her mental and physical health, experiencing burnout, PTSD and breast cancer. After leaving the police service and recovering fully, Hannah retrained and developed her own business, Blue Light Wellbeing. She now works daily with those across the Emergency Service and other similar law enforcement roles who may be struggling with their own mental health and wellbeing, through the means of therapy, coaching, training and education.
Hannah therefore offers a unique insight into both the personal and professional aspects of mental health in frontline organisations, helping to build both personal and organisational resilience, and working to best support those who need it. She connects with her audience from a genuine place of understanding their work in high risk, demanding and complex roles, and delivers practical and relevant training to help them improve their own mental health and wellbeing.