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 Pittsburgh Tribune Review, with the help of the Wecht Institute, featured an article on Forensic Science in the classroom. 

On Friday, September 4th, 2009 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.

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.

CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS

A monthly series of CLE and Professional Education afternoon seminars starting in January, 2010.  Learn more about Forensic Fridays.
*Mark your calendars now!  The Wecht Institute will be hosting its 10th Annual Conference, "Cause and Manner of Death" on November 19-20, 2010.
**You can also check us out on Facebook - become a "fan" of the Institute!

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RECENT EVENTS

Annual Conference

EVIDENCE IN THE INFORMATION AGE:
A National Symposium on the Collection, Analysis and Legal Applications of Digital Evidence
DOES FORENSICS NEED FIXING?:
A Seminar on the National Academy of Sciences' Report on Forensic Science

*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

Joshua Goldberg, Esq.

Joshua Goldberg was a presenter in our recent Forensic Fridays seminar, Alcohol and Drug Toxicity  in Criminal Litigation.  Other speakers included Wecht Institute Director Dr. Frederick Fochtman, Assitant Public Defender Marcy Nord, and Deputy District Attorney Bruce Beemer.

Mr. Goldberg currently works as a solo legal practitioner in Pittsburgh, specializing in the areas of criminal defense and federal regulatory law.  From 2005 through 2008, he practiced in the Maryland/Washington, D.C. metro area as both a criminal defense attorney and federal regulatory attorney.  Mr. Goldberg previously served as an assistant public defender in Allegheny County for three and a half years.  Recently he authored and published a motor vehicle and DUI law resource titled, PA Driver Sanctions.

For more information about Mr. Goldberg and his services, please visit his website.