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

On Friday, November 5, 2010 the Wecht Institute hosted it's November Forensic Fridays seminar, Medical and Recreational Marijuana:  Scientific, Legal and Societal Considerations.  Read more about it in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

On Friday May 13, 2011 The Wecht Institute held the May Forensic Fridays seminar.  The topic was "The Changing Face of DNA:  The Science, Law, and Ethics of Familial Searching".  To read more about the seminar and this controversial topic, please read one of the two articles below.

Read more about the Institute's past news and events.

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

 

Forensic Fridays Forensic Fridays has returned.  The Spring 2012 series will have three seminars.  The series will run from January through May with three half day and 2 full day seminars.  Learn more about Forensic Fridays.

 

SUPPORTING THE WECHT INSTITUTE

Are you interested in supporting the Wecht Institute?  Learn more about our Funding Priorities.
Purchase the video from one of the Institute's past conferences or seminars.

**You can also check us out on Facebook - become a "fan" of the Institute!

RECENT EVENTS

PREDATORS AND THEIR PREY:
A National Conference on the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual and Violent Serial Offenders
October 21-22, 2011
CAUSE OF DEATH:
An Interdisciplinary Look at the State of Forensic Death Investigation
November 19-20, 2010
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

Duquesne Partners With RTI to Support the Forensic Science Technology Center of Excellence

Forensic science and law programs at Duquesne are working with RTI's Center for Forensic Sciences and two other partners to support the national Forensic Science Technology Center of Excellence, funded through a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) grant totaling $6 million.
The Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law and the Master of Science program in Forensic Science and Law (FSL) in the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences were invited to participate in the national center. The invitation was based upon the accreditation the of FSL program by the Forensic Education Programs Accreditation Commission and Duquesne's reputation for researching DNA and chemistry issues within the field, coupled with the ability of the Wecht Institute to bridge the gap between science and the legal community, said Dr. Fred Fochtman, director of the Wecht Institute. Duquesne's share of the grant will be $225,000 in the first year of the project, with anticipated funding of up to $615,000.
Read more about the grant.