Melissa is the Founder/CEO of DeVille and Associates, LLC, in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. With an extensive background spanning over 30 years, Melissa delivers comprehensive consulting and training services to law enforcement agencies nationally and globally. Her areas of expertise encompass intricate subjects such as criminal forensics, cryptocurrency, dark web, social media, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and linkage analysis, with a primary emphasis on the investigation of human trafficking, child exploitation, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).
Melissa holds certifications in forensic investigations, cryptocurrency, and blockchain forensics and is a nationally accredited law enforcement instructor with IADLEST. Apart from her training responsibilities, Melissa proficiently conducts forensic investigations, gathers digital evidence for human trafficking and CSAM cases, and is an expert witness on social media platforms and websites regarding child exploitation, CSAM, and trafficking. Melissa is a master researcher, subject matter expert (SME), expert witness, speaker, and thought leader.
Melissa is also a Ph.D. candidate at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Her dissertation topic is “A Case Study of Ineffective Legislation: Moral Panic and the Sex Offender Registry.” Upon completing her Ph.D., Melissa aims to influence new sex offender legislation concerning the tracking and tracing of registered and non-registered sex offenders and absconders. She also earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN.
- Leveraging Corporate Sponsorship for Social Impact: Why Your Company Should Support the Follow • Money • Fight • Slavery Summit - May 2, 2024
- The Vital Role of Financial Institutions in Combating Human Trafficking - July 28, 2023
- Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative Announces Results of Global Dark Web Hackathon - July 14, 2023