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Biography

Before joining Duquesne University's Forensic Science and Law program, Professor Regentin spent 22 years as a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of Justice - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), beginning his career just before September 11, 2001. He conducted his first forensic crime scene investigation at the United Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Over the years, he processed numerous crime scenes involving arson, explosives violations, bombings, firearms trafficking, shootings, narcotics trafficking, and tobacco trafficking. From 2010, he specialized in fire and explosion investigations, earning certifications as a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) from both ATF and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). He served for eight years on ATF's National Response Team (NRT), responding to large-scale incidents nationwide. Professor Regentin has testified in state and federal courts as an expert in fire investigations and continues to instruct at the ATF National Academy, the National Fire Academy, and various training courses. Before his ATF tenure, he worked for five years as a surveillance specialist with the FBI on national security and espionage cases. Despite his focus on his role as a Teaching Assistant Professor at Duquesne, Professor Regentin remains involved in providing instructional and case analysis services to investigators at all levels of government.

Education

  • B.A. Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia
  • M.S. Forensic Sciences, Oklahoma State University

Expertise

  • Fire and Explosion Dynamics and Investigations
  • Origin and Cause Analysis of Fires and Explosions
  • Court Testimony
  • Investigative Techniques
  • Federal Law Enforcement Authority
  • Incident Timeline Analysis
  • Evidence Collection, Maintenance, and Presentation

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About

Special Act or Service Award (ATF)
  • June 2002 for work performed at the United Flight 93 Crash Site Investigation Team, 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
  • August 2020 for work performed in response to civil unrest in the summer of 2020

Outstanding Investigation Awards (5)
  • Law Enforcement Agency Directors of Western Pennsylvania October 2004, November 2007, January 2010, January 2017, and October 2022 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Top Cop Award

  • Honorable Mention, State of Pennsylvania

National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)
  • October 2005, Washington, D.C. 
Certified Fire Investigator – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives: May 2012 to 2023
Certified Fire Investigator – International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) May 2013 to present
  • FORE 545 – Fire/Arson and Explosives
  • FORE 425 – Criminal Case Review and Evidence Admissibility
  • FORE 300 and 400 – Professional Developments
  • FORE 105 – FIRST Colloquium