College Relations

December 1, 2005

CONTACT --- Margo W. R. Steiner at 978-542-7505 or margo.steiner@salemstate.edu

Pair Speaks on Computer Investigations of Domestic Violence Cases

SALEM, MASS. - Attorney Paul R. Gormley of Salem and Det. Sgt. Vincent O'Connell of the Salem State College Police Department recently presented at a national conference on domestic violence in Philadelphia. Both have strong roots to the Salem community. Attorney Gormley attended Salem State College and Lesley College, where he received his undergraduate degree; he received his juris doctor degree from the New England School of Law. Sgt. O'Connell has also completed undergraduate work at Salem State and is a member of the Salem State College Police Department.

Gormley and O'Connell first met in Salem District Court through a number of mutual cases, Attorney Gormley as a defense attorney and Sgt. O'Connell as the police prosecutor for the SSC Police. They quickly found a bond that manifested itself in a strong sense of justice.

Attorney Gormley is a member of the faculty in the criminal justice programs at North Shore Community College and the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where among other classes he teaches criminal justice technology. Sgt. O'Connell supervises the investigative unit at Salem State and is a certified computer forensic investigator.

Between them, the pair has instructed jointly and separately at the Massachusetts Probation Academy, the Massachusetts State Police Academy, local police departments and area institutions of higher education. Det. Sgt O'Connell has also consulted with area departments in the investigation of sexual assault, identity theft and computer crimes. Attorney Gormley provides like resources for the criminal justice programs at North Shore Community College and the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and for fellow defense practitioners.

In Philadelphia, Gormley and O'Connell addressed conference attendees on computer investigations as they relate to domestic violence cases.

"There were 360 attendees that we presented to," said O'Connell. He went on to say, "I have spoken and made appearances at many local events, but to be invited to a nationwide conference was a tremendous honor."

Salem State College is a comprehensive, publicly supported institution of higher learning located 21 miles north of Boston. It enrolls approximately 9,400 undergraduate and graduate students representing27 states and 52 nations. Salem State College is the fifth largest public institution of higher education and the largest state college in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.