Welcome

The Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law was established at Duquesne University in the fall of 2000.  Through its unique collaborative partnerships, the Institute offers several credit and/or continuing education programs.

Academic Programs

  • Certificate in Forensic Science and Law
  • Master in Forensic Science and Law
  • Master of Science in Nursing - forensic track
  • Certificate in Forensic Nursing

In The News

The Wecht Institute hosted a seminar entitled Does Forensics Need Fixing? on Friday September 11th.  The seminar dealt with issues related to the recent NAS report on Forensic Science.  It was covered by two local newspapers.  To read them please click on the following links:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Tribune Review

On Friday, September 4th the Wecht Institute signed a formal agreement of cooperation with the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL).  To learn more about it, read this article.

The Wecht Institute and DU students were featured in a WTAE-TV story concerning the difficulties of eyewitness identification and the use of photo arrays.

View the segment »

Please contact the Wecht Institute at wechtinstitute@duq.edu for additional information on any of our programs or events, or to be added to our email list.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Forensic Fridays

A monthly series of CLE and Professional Education afternoon seminars starting in January, 2010.  More information coming soon. 
If you would like to be added to our mailing list for information concerning these seminars, please email us at wechtinstitute@duq.edu.

___________________________________

RECENT EVENTS

Annual Conference

This year the Wecht Institute hosted its 9th Annual Conference:

EVIDENCE IN THE INFORMATION AGE:
A National Symposium on the Collection, Analysis and Legal Applications of Digital Evidence

October 23-24, 2009 »

DOES FORENSICS NEED FIXING?:
A Seminar on the National Academy of Sciences' Report on Forensic Science

Friday, September 11, 2009

More information »

*If you were unable to attend these events but are interested in learning more, please contact the Institute directly at 412-396-1330 or wechtinstitute@duq.edu as we are exploring the possibility of  DVDs.*

Wecht Institute Spotlight

Frederick W. Fochtman, Ph.D.
Director, The Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science & Law

Dr. Fochtman serves as Director of both the Wecht Institute and the University's five-year Master's of Forensic Science and Law Program.  Prior to becoming director of the Forensic Institute, Dr. Fochtman had served for ten years as the Director and Chief Toxicologist of the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office, Forensic Laboratory Division in Pittsburgh.  He is a long-time faculty member at Duquesne University.

Recently, Dr. Fochtman was interviewed by conference vendor, Qorpak.  To watch his interview, please click here.