The 23rd Annual Forensic Science and Law Symposium

Join scientific, legal and investigative experts on November 21-22, 2024 at the Duquesne University Union's Africa Room to explore cases and scenarios pertaining to the forensic applications of AI technology.

  • Earn up to 12 CLE credits, including 2 Ethics credits
  • Single-day registrations available

Registration is required by Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Register Today

Event is Free to All Duquesne Students, Faculty & Staff.

Artificial Intelligence, it seems, is everywhere, and that includes the administration of criminal justice. From cutting-edge research into its potential forensic scientific applications, to its role in surveillance and predictive policing, to ethical issues pertaining to privacy and bias, this conference will convene some of the nation’s leading experts on the science and law of AI to help us better anticipate what the criminal justice landscape will look like in the emerging era of intelligent automation.

Hosted by the Cyril Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law in partnership with the Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Duquesne University.

Expanding Horizons For Learning

Program in the Duquesne Union's Africa Room

All presentations are scheduled to take place in the Duquesne University Union's Africa Room.

Please note that the agenda is subject to change, below is the most current information.

AGENDA
Thursday, November 21
9:00 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions

  • Benjamin E. Wecht, M.A., Program Administrator, The Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science, Duquesne University
  • Pamela Marshall, Ph.D., Director and Associate Professor, Forensic Science and Law Master’s Program, Duquesne University
  • Ken Gormley, J.D., President, Duquesne University
9:15 a.m.

What is Generative AI?

Morgan A. Gray, J.D., Adjunct Professor, Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Duquesne University; Ph.D. Candidate, Intelligent Systems, University of Pittsburgh

10:15 a.m.

AI in Forensic Science: Casework and Empirical Demonstrations

Patrick Juola, PhD, Joseph A. Lauritis, C.S.Sp Endowed Chair in Teaching and Technology Coordinator, Cybersecurity Studies program, Duquesne University

11:15 a.m.  Break
11:30 a.m.

AI Delivers Accurate and Objective Forensic DNA Evidence

Mark Perlin, PhD, MD, Chief Scientific and Executive Officer, Cybergenetics

12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:45 p.m.

Could AI Save Fingerprint Evidence Under the Daubert Rule?

Joseph Kadane, Ph.D., Leonard J. Savage University Professor of Statistics and Social Sciences, Emeritus, Carnegie Mellon University

2:45 p.m.

AI and the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA): Investigating and Litigating Stolen IP

  • Henry M. Sneath, Esq., Shareholder/Director, Houston Harbaugh, P.C.; Adjunct Professor, Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Duquesne University
  • Corey A. Bauer, Esq., Shareholder/Director, Houston Harbaugh, P.C.   
3:45 p.m.

Break

4:00 p.m.

Panel Discussion

  • Moderator: Henry M. Sneath, Esq., Shareholder/Director, Houston Harbaugh, P.C.; Adjunct Professor, Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Duquesne University
  • Panelists: Thursday Speakers
5:00 p.m.

Adjournment

Friday, November 22
9 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions

  • Benjamin E. Wecht, M.A.
  • Pamela Marshall, Ph.D.
9:15 a.m.

The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Past, Present, and Future

John P. Slattery, Ph.D., Executive Director, Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law, Duquesne University

10:15 a.m.

Legal Ethics: Competence in Technology, from the Internet to the Cloud to AI

David G. Ries, J.D. Of Counsel, Clark Hill, PLC

11:15 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m.

Computationally Assessing Suspicion

  • Wesley M. Oliver, J.S.D, LL.M., Law & Computing Program Director, Marie-Clement Rodier C.Sp. Endowed Chair and Professor of Law, Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Duquesne University
  • Morgan A. Gray, J.D., Adjunct Professor, Thomas R. Kline, School of Law, Duquesne University; Ph.D. Candidate, Intelligent Systems, University of Pittsburgh
12:30 p.m.

Lunch

1:45 p.m.

Distinguishing Original from Deepfake Images Using Metadata and File Structure

Glenn K. Bard, CISSP, CFCE Chief Technical Officer, PATCTech, Pennsylvania State Police (ret.)

2:45 p.m.

Privacy Law and Databases

Jacqueline Lipton, Ph.D., LL.M., Associate Professor, Carol Los Mansmann Chair in Faculty Scholarship, Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Duquesne University

3:45 p.m.

Break

4 p.m.

Panel Discussion

  • Moderator: Lyndsie Ferrara, Ph.D., Teaching Assistant Professor, Master of Forensic Science and
    Law Program, Duquesne University
  • Panelists: Friday Speakers
    (except Lipton, Slattery)
5 p.m.

Adjournment

 

Registration Fees

Registration is required by Wednesday, Nov. 20 for most attendees. Duquesne University Students, Faculty and Staff are free to attend.

  • CLE Private Attorneys - $360.00
  • CLE Gov't/Nonprofit Attorneys - $330.00
  • Coroners - $180.00
  • General Public - $120.00
  • Non-Duquesne Students - $60.00
  • Duquesne Students, Faculty & Staff - No Cost; No Registration Required

Continuing Education Opportunities

The Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law strives to enrich its registrants’ learning experiences by offering continuing education opportunities relevant to its programming.

As an Accredited Provider of Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education, we are pleased to be offering up to 10 hours of Substantive CLE credit and 2 hours of Ethics CLE credit for this conference.

Those wishing to claim CLE credit must submit evaluation forms on the final day of their attendance, and virtual registrants must also capture and submit attendance verification codes. Out-of-state attorneys should consult with their respective bar associations to inquire about eligibility.

Please consult the Institute’s staff for updates on accreditations and credit hours.

Parking & Directions to Union, Africa Room

Please review Duquesne University Campus Map to find your way to the Duquesne Union's Africa Room.

  • Park at Duquesne's Forbes Garage (1180 Forbes Avenue); This garage is the closest to the Duquesne Union building.
  • Forbes Avenue Garage Parking is limited and not guaranteed. It is recommended that you arrive early if you plan to park in the Forbes Avenue Garage.
  • Take the elevator in the Forbes Garage to the 8th floor to access the walkway to the Union. 
  • Upon entering the Union, please take the stairs to the immediate left to Floor 3. (May also take elevators towards the back of the building to Africa Room on Floor 3.)
  • At the top of the stairs make an immediate left and then an immediate right through the double wooden doors to access the Africa Room.

 

ADDITIONAL OFF-CAMPUS PARKING LOCATIONS

Parking is available within a 10 minute walking distance to Duquesne University. Please contact the parking garage directly for rate information or capacity restrictions.  (Follow directions above to find your way to the Union, Africa Room)

Hotel Accommodations

For those traveling to Pittsburgh to attend our symposium, please note that we have now filled the blocks of hotel rooms we were holding at the following hotels. Please feel free to contact them to inquire about additional vacancies, or else go to Visit Pittsburgh to find other options.

Cancellation Policies

You can request a full refund for your registration, with a $25 processing fee deducted, if you cancel up to one week before the symposium begins. However, after Thursday, November 14, refunds will only be granted with documented proof of a medical or other emergency. Additionally, please be aware that up until Monday, November 18, individuals registered for onsite participation have the option to switch to the virtual attendance option.

Questions? Contact Us!

Benjamin Wecht M.A.

Program Administrator

Cyril Wecht Institute

A picture of Ben Wecht