Available Seminars
The following list of seminars are being offered by the Institute for Law and Public Policy. To read more information about the courses below, click the seminar title to expand the corresponding tab. You may register online to attend.
Please note that effective with our August 2018 series of seminars, the Institute will no longer seek approval for CLE course credits in West Virginia and Ohio, nor will the Institute report CLE credits to West Virginia and Ohio.
NOTE: In the event that seminars have to be canceled due to constantly changing pandemic issues, registrants will be notified of the cancellation and will obtain a full refund.
Law Enforcement Seminars
Crime Scene Investigation
April 29, 2024 through May 3, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 4:40 PM at
Allegheny County Police Training Academy
700 West Ridge Drive (North Park), Allison Park, PA 15101
COURSE DESCRIPTION: There will also be a University Certificate in Applied Forensic Sciences awarded to those that complete this course. Possessing this certificate is a great aid when testifying in court, and demonstrates that you are trained and proficient in forensic sciences.
Class hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Each day of training will include a hands-on session in a different forensic discipline. All supplies will be provided.
The training will consist of five days:
- Day One: Crime Scene Processing, scene approach, management, trace and impression evidence - Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Day Two: Latent Prints, scene and lab processing - Jason Clark, Certified Latent Print Examiner Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner Forensic Laboratory
- Day Three: Forensic Photography, equipment, techniques, digital imaging - Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Day Four: DNA, Touch DNA, presumptive testing, collection - Sara Bitner, Technical Leader, Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner Forensic Library
- Day Five: Death Investigation, Accidental, Natural, and Homicides
A 10% discount is offered if an agency sends 3 or more people and 20% if 5 or more attend.
The course is taught by Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp an active instructor and practitioner in forensics and criminal investigation.
For further information contact the course instructor - Brian Kohlhepp (kohlhepp@pennwest.edu)
Crime Scene Investigation (Allegheny County LE Officers)
April 29, 2024 through May 3, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 4:40 PM at
Allegheny County Police Training Academy
700 West Ridge Drive (North Park), Allison Park, PA 15101
Officers from any police agency in Allegheny County will have $100 covered by the DAs Office - this has already been removed from the course fee.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: There will also be a University Certificate in Applied Forensic Sciences awarded to those that complete this course. Possessing this certificate is a great aid when testifying in court, and demonstrates that you are trained and proficient in forensic sciences.
Class hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Each day of training will include a hands-on session in a different forensic discipline. All supplies will be provided.
The training will consist of five days:
- Day One: Crime Scene Processing, scene approach, management, trace and impression evidence - Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Day Two: Latent Prints, scene and lab processing - Jason Clark, Certified Latent Print Examiner Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner Forensic Laboratory
- Day Three: Forensic Photography, equipment, techniques, digital imaging - Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Day Four: DNA, Touch DNA, presumptive testing, collection - Sara Bitner, Technical Leader, Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner Forensic Library
- Day Five: Death Investigation, Accidental, Natural, and Homicides
A 10% discount is offered if an agency sends 3 or more people and 20% if 5 or more attend.
The course is taught by Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp an active instructor and practitioner in forensics and criminal investigation.
For further information contact the course instructor - Brian Kohlhepp (kohlhepp@pennwest.edu)
Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
May 13, 2024 through May 17, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 4:40 PM at
Allegheny County Police Training Academy
700 West Ridge Drive (North Park), Allison Park, PA 15101
COURSE DESCRIPTION: There will also be a University Certificate in Applied Advanced Forensic Sciences awarded to those that complete this course. Possessing this certificate is a great aid when testifying in court, and demonstrates that you are trained and proficient in forensic sciences.
Some days of training will include a hands-on session in a different forensic discipline. All supplies will be provided.
The training will consist of five days:
Monday:
- Advanced Latent Print
- Of value vs. no value determination
- Hands-on practical in:
- Enhancing prints in blood
- Ninhydrin and porous surfaces
- Cyanoacrylate (glue) fuming
- Dye staining
Instructor: Jason Clark, CLPE Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner; Det. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
Tuesday:
Morning session: Shooting Scene Reconstruction
- Detection, Documentation, and collection of ballistic evidence
- Hands-on scene reconstruction and determinations
Instructor: Tom Morgan of the ACOME Firearms Section with 10+ years' experience
Afternoon session: Advanced Forensic Photography
- Advanced Forensic Photography
- Use of filters: ND, Polarizing, etc
- ISO
- white balance
- Advanced uses of flash EG: fill flash, bounce flash, oblique flash
Instructor: Detective Brian Kohlhepp, of the Ross Police Forensic Investigation Unit
Wednesday: Fire, Explosion, and Arson Scenes
- Origin and Cause investigation
We will complete an actual hands-on fire scene burn and scene processing - Evidence location and collection
- Witness interviews
Instructor: Chief Deputy Don Brucker, Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office
Thursday: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
- Theoretical discussions
- Physics and scientific principles
- Hands-on Practical experiments using blood
- Case studies
Instructor: Craig Moore, Niagara Canada, retired 30 year LEO and subject matter expert on blood spatter
Friday: Death Investigation
Morning session: Forensic Pathology and Autopsy
- Autopsy
- Forensic Pathology and its potential determinations
- Medico-Legal Death Investigation Process
Instructor: Dr. Todd Luckasevic - Forensic Pathologist, Associate Medical Examiner ACOME
Afternoon session: Advanced Death Investigation
- Aquatic Death Investigations
- Equivocal Death Investigations
- Difficult Scenes
A 10% discount is offered if an agency sends 3 or more people and 20% if 5 or more attend, if an invoice is requested.
Advanced Crime Scene Investigation (Allegheny County LE Officers)
May 13, 2024 through May 17, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 4:40 PM at
Allegheny County Police Training Academy
700 West Ridge Drive (North Park), Allison Park, PA 15101
Officers from any police agency in Allegheny County will have $100 covered by the DAs Office - this has already been removed from the course fee.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: There will also be a University Certificate in Applied Advanced Forensic Sciences awarded to those that complete this course. Possessing this certificate is a great aid when testifying in court, and demonstrates that you are trained and proficient in forensic sciences.
Some days of training will include a hands-on session in a different forensic discipline. All supplies will be provided.
The training will consist of five days:
Monday:
- Advanced Latent Print
- Of value vs. no value determination
- Hands-on practical in:
- Enhancing prints in blood
- Ninhydrin and porous surfaces
- Cyanoacrylate (glue) fuming
- Dye staining
Instructor: Jason Clark, CLPE Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner; Det. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
Tuesday:
Morning session: Shooting Scene Reconstruction
- Detection, Documentation, and collection of ballistic evidence
- Hands-on scene reconstruction and determinations
Instructor: Tom Morgan of the ACOME Firearms Section with 10+ years' experience
Afternoon session: Advanced Forensic Photography
- Advanced Forensic Photography
- Use of filters: ND, Polarizing, etc
- ISO
- white balance
- Advanced uses of flash EG: fill flash, bounce flash, oblique flash
Instructor: Detective Brian Kohlhepp, of the Ross Police Forensic Investigation Unit
Wednesday: Fire, Explosion, and Arson Scenes
- Origin and Cause investigation
We will complete an actual hands-on fire scene burn and scene processing - Evidence location and collection
- Witness interviews
Instructor: Chief Deputy Don Brucker, Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office
Thursday: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
- Theoretical discussions
- Physics and scientific principles
- Hands-on Practical experiments using blood
- Case studies
Instructor: Craig Moore, Niagara Canada, retired 30 year LEO and subject matter expert on blood spatter
Friday: Death Investigation
Morning session: Forensic Pathology and Autopsy
- Autopsy
- Forensic Pathology and its potential determinations
- Medico-Legal Death Investigation Process
Instructor: Dr. Todd Luckasevic - Forensic Pathologist, Associate Medical Examiner ACOME
Afternoon session: Advanced Death Investigation
- Aquatic Death Investigations
- Equivocal Death Investigations
- Difficult Scenes
A 10% discount is offered if an agency sends 3 or more people and 20% if 5 or more attend, if an invoice is requested.
Sex Assault Investigations
September 23, 2024 through September 25, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 8:30 AM at
Allegheny County Police Training Academy
700 West Ridge Drive (North Park), Allison Park, PA 15101
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course on sex assault investigations will cover a number of important aspects with a variety of speakers. Topics will include victim interviews, child and elder sex abuse, drug-facilitated sex assaults, SANE nursing and sex assault kits, forensic interviews and physical exams of children, victim advocates, and the neurobiology of trauma. Also; trial, search warrants, testifying and other legal issues to include deciphering the new SAFER Act will be discussed.
COURSE OUTLINE:
- Day One: Sex Assault Investigations
- Overview and Investigations - Det. Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Statistics
- Barriers to rape reporting
- HIPPA
- SAFER Act
- Child and Elder Sex Assault
- Other Investigative Techniques
- Pre-text phone calls
- Sex Assault Evidence Collection Kits - Deb Shane, SANE RN, UPMC Mercy
- Day Two: Sex Assault Investigations
- Child SA Investigative Assistance - Rich DiBello and Lyndsey Craft of the Child Advocacy Center at Children's Hospital
- Children Youth and Families, practice and protocol
- Forensic Interviews
- Physical Examinations
- Victim Assistance
- Working with Victims - Megan Schroeder, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape
- Neurobiology of Trauma
- Drug Facilitated Sex Assaults -- Jen Janssen, Allegheny County ME's Office, Toxicology
- Case Studies
- Toxicology
- Day Three: Sex Assault Investigations
- Behavioral Oriented Interview - Det. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Legal Issues - Deputy District Attorney Jen DiGiovanni
- Search Warrants
- Charging and Criminal Complaints
- Testifying and Courtroom procedure
- Victim Testimony or Case Presentation
Sex Assault Investigations (Allegheny County LE Officers)
September 23, 2024 through September 25, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 8:30 AM at
Allegheny County Police Training Academy
700 West Ridge Drive (North Park), Allison Park, PA 15101
Officers from any police agency in Allegheny County will have $100 covered by the DAs Office - this has already been removed from the course fee.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course on sex assault investigations will cover a number of important aspects with a variety of speakers. Topics will include victim interviews, child and elder sex abuse, drug-facilitated sex assaults, SANE nursing and sex assault kits, forensic interviews and physical exams of children, victim advocates, and the neurobiology of trauma. Also; trial, search warrants, testifying and other legal issues to include deciphering the new SAFER Act will be discussed.
COURSE OUTLINE:
- Day One: Sex Assault Investigations
- Overview and Investigations - Det. Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Statistics
- Barriers to rape reporting
- HIPPA
- SAFER Act
- Child and Elder Sex Assault
- Other Investigative Techniques
- Pre-text phone calls
- Sex Assault Evidence Collection Kits - Deb Shane, SANE RN, UPMC Mercy
- Day Two: Sex Assault Investigations
- Child SA Investigative Assistance - Rich DiBello and Lyndsey Craft of the Child Advocacy Center at Children's Hospital
- Children Youth and Families, practice and protocol
- Forensic Interviews
- Physical Examinations
- Victim Assistance
- Working with Victims - Megan Schroeder, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape
- Neurobiology of Trauma
- Drug Facilitated Sex Assaults -- Jen Janssen, Allegheny County ME's Office, Toxicology
- Case Studies
- Toxicology
- Day Three: Sex Assault Investigations
- Behavioral Oriented Interview - Det. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Legal Issues - Deputy District Attorney Jen DiGiovanni
- Search Warrants
- Charging and Criminal Complaints
- Testifying and Courtroom procedure
- Victim Testimony or Case Presentation
Criminal Investigations
October 28, 2024 through November 1, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 4:40 PM at
Allegheny County Police Training Academy
700 West Ridge Drive (North Park), Allison Park, PA 15101
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The training will consist of five days, and the following topics will be covered:
- Cell phones, computer and High Tech Crimes
- cell and smartphones apps, location, stored data and more
- dealing with computers
- digital evidence
- Sex Assault Investigations -- (Child, Adult, and Special Victims) Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Rape
- child sex assaults
- special victims
- victim advocates/SANE
- Using Technology and Advanced Investigative Techniques Det. Lyle Graber, Allegheny County DA's Office
- cell phones - includes warrants, apps, simple data retrieval (not forensic dump)
- email - warrants and gathering information
- Social Media - warrants and gathering information
- Recording phone conversations in investigations (beyond just drug investigations)
- Tracking devices
- Social Media, Open Source, and Advanced Investigative Techniques
- Advanced Google searches
- Twitter searches & other social media
- Death Investigations
- Homicide, Sucide
- Natural Death, Accidental
- Medico-legal death investigations
- Forensics/Crime Scene Det. Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Crime scene processing
- available resources
- Interview and Interrogation Chief Dennis Logan, Allegheny County DA's Office Investigations; Pittsburgh Police Homicide (ret.)
- Interviewing and Interrogation
- Search Warrants DDA Stephie Ramaley
- Search Warrant Construction
- Affidavit of Probable Cause
- Current Case Law
- Trial preparation
- Trial Preparation -- Assistant US Attorney and former Deputy District Attorney Rob Schupansky
- Cross-examination and testifying -- Michael Machen, Criminal Defense Attorney (former Chief Public Defender of Allegheny County)
- Trial Roundtable Judge Cashman, Michael Machen, Criminal Defense Attorney, AUSA Rob Schupansky
Lecturers:
- Judge David Cashman -- Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
- Chief Dennis Logan
- Pittsburgh Police Homicide (ret.)
- Chief of Detectives Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
- Asst. US Attorney Rob Schupansky
- Crimes Persons, Child Abuse, and Homicide Units
- former Deputy DA, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
- Special Agent Gregg Frankhouser -- FBI - Pittsburgh
- DDA Stephie Ramaley -- Homicide Unit, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
- Det. Lyle Graber -- Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
- Michael Machen, Esquire -- practicing criminal defense attorney for 29 years and former Chief Public Defender of Allegheny County
- Lecturer and Program Coordinator: Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
discount available if a combined invoice is requested
Criminal Investigations (Allegheny County LE Officers)
October 28, 2024 through November 1, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 4:40 PM at
Allegheny County Police Training Academy
700 West Ridge Drive (North Park), Allison Park, PA 15101
Officers from any police agency in Allegheny County will have $100 covered by the DAs Office - this has already been removed from the course fee.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The training will consist of five days, and the following topics will be covered:
- Cell phones, computer and High Tech Crimes
- cell and smartphones apps, location, stored data and more
- dealing with computers
- digital evidence
- Sex Assault Investigations -- (Child, Adult, and Special Victims) Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Rape
- child sex assaults
- special victims
- victim advocates/SANE
- Using Technology and Advanced Investigative Techniques Det. Lyle Graber, Allegheny County DA's Office
- cell phones - includes warrants, apps, simple data retrieval (not forensic dump)
- email - warrants and gathering information
- Social Media - warrants and gathering information
- Recording phone conversations in investigations (beyond just drug investigations)
- Tracking devices
- Social Media, Open Source, and Advanced Investigative Techniques
- Advanced Google searches
- Twitter searches & other social media
- Death Investigations
- Homicide, Sucide
- Natural Death, Accidental
- Medico-legal death investigations
- Forensics/Crime Scene Det. Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Crime scene processing
- available resources
- Interview and Interrogation Chief Dennis Logan, Allegheny County DA's Office Investigations; Pittsburgh Police Homicide (ret.)
- Interviewing and Interrogation
- Search Warrants DDA Stephie Ramaley
- Search Warrant Construction
- Affidavit of Probable Cause
- Current Case Law
- Trial preparation
- Trial Preparation -- Assistant US Attorney and former Deputy District Attorney Rob Schupansky
- Cross-examination and testifying -- Michael Machen, Criminal Defense Attorney (former Chief Public Defender of Allegheny County)
- Trial Roundtable Judge Cashman, Michael Machen, Criminal Defense Attorney, AUSA Rob Schupansky
Lecturers:
- Judge David Cashman -- Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
- Chief Dennis Logan
- Pittsburgh Police Homicide (ret.)
- Chief of Detectives Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
- Asst. US Attorney Rob Schupansky
- Crimes Persons, Child Abuse, and Homicide Units
- former Deputy DA, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
- Special Agent Gregg Frankhouser -- FBI - Pittsburgh
- DDA Stephie Ramaley -- Homicide Unit, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
- Det. Lyle Graber -- Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
- Michael Machen, Esquire -- practicing criminal defense attorney for 29 years and former Chief Public Defender of Allegheny County
- Lecturer and Program Coordinator: Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
discount available if a combined invoice is requested
Crime Scene Investigation
November 18, 2024 through November 22, 2024 - 8:30 AM to 4:40 PM at
Brookhaven Fire Co.
2 Cambridge Rd # 52, Brookhaven, PA 19015
COURSE DESCRIPTION: There will also be a University Certificate in Applied Forensic Sciences awarded to those that complete this course. Possessing this certificate is a great aid when testifying in court, and demonstrates that you are trained and proficient in forensic sciences.
Class hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Each day of training will include a hands-on session in a different forensic discipline. All supplies will be provided.
The training will consist of five days:
- Day One: Crime Scene Processing, scene approach, management, trace and impression evidence - Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Day Two: Latent Prints, scene and lab processing - Jason Clark, Certified Latent Print Examiner Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner Forensic Laboratory
- Day Three: Forensic Photography, equipment, techniques, digital imaging - Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp, Ross Police
- Day Four: DNA, Touch DNA, presumptive testing, collection - Sara Bitner, Technical Leader, Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner Forensic Library
- Day Five: Death Investigation, Accidental, Natural, and Homicides
A 10% discount is offered if an agency sends 3 or more people and 20% if 5 or more attend.
The course is taught by Detective Sgt. Brian Kohlhepp an active instructor and practitioner in forensics and criminal investigation.
For further information contact the course instructor - Brian Kohlhepp (kohlhepp@pennwest.edu)