Upcoming Lectures
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Previous Lectures
Meet Paul Dowling the Creator of Forensic Files
Forensic Files creator, Paul Dowling and the show’s supervising producer talked about the evolution of the long-time series. His lecture explored the techniques of forensic science and discuss how the program stages dramatic recreations.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
An inside look a Crisis Negotiation
In a recent lecture, PSU-LV advisory board member Lt. Pete Nickischer of the Upper Macungie, Pa. Police Department and Special Agent Bill Smith of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shed light on the various tactics law enforcement use to bring crisis negotiation to a peaceful conclusion.
The officials emphasized the need for self-control and excellent communication skills when training for law enforcement tactical intervention. Smith said crisis negotiation takes advance planning. “This means having a specific objective, choosing your words, and anticipating certain responses.” In a high-risk hostage situation, meanwhile, the officers said these situations are defused by listening, trying to understand the situation, and looking at things from a different perspective. Officers also try to wear down the hostage-taker until he eventually cooperates.
Debra Dreisbach, program coordinator for Criminal Justice said, said that building positive relationships between law enforcement and the community is a major initiative right now. “It’s referred to as ‘community policing’—getting to know your community and not resorting to more violent means in a situation.”
My Adventures in Forensic Psychology: Fact and Fiction
Popular author and expert on serial killers, Katherine Ramsland
Katherine Ramsland talks to serial killers. She consults on death investigations. She appears in crime documentaries – and writes books. Recently, PSU-LV students had a chance to meet the nationally respected forensics expert, and hear Ramsland’s first-hand accounts of true crime, insights into the mind of serial killers, and how she brought it all together in her latest book, I Scream Man.
Ramsland has served as an expert in criminal psychology on more than 200 crime documentaries and magazine shows, is an executive producer of Murder House Flip, and has consulted for CSI, Bones, and The Alienist. She’s also authored more than 1,500 articles and 69 books, including The Forensic Science of CSI, The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, How to Catch a Killer, The Psychology of Death Investigations, and Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer. She also served as co-executive producer for the Wolf Entertainment/A&E four-part documentary based on the years she spent talking with Rader.
Delaware Natural Resources Police (DNRP)
Protecting Delaware’s public lands is far more challenging than you might expect. In a recent event, Criminal Justice students interacted with officers from the Delaware Natural Resources Police who described the realities of protecting public lands. “People often think we’re dealing with a plot of land with a park in the middle of it,” said Officer Trevor Ditmore. “But our massive coverage areas actually include restaurants, bars, marinas, a zoo and water park – even a football stadium.”
Ditmore’s talk included accounts of missing persons, a kidnapping, a plane forced to make an emergency landing in the water, as well beached whales.
Officer Taylor Pectim, also from the DNRP spoke to the realities of working in a predominantly male-dominated role and shared information on opportunities for seasonal workers and interns.
The Investigative Process at the FBI
Retired FBI Special Agent who led one of the Valley’s most explosive cases
Retired special agent, Scott Curtis, formerly of the Allentown FBI field office took a deep dive into two high-profile cases from the region as part of the Criminal Justice speaker series – riveting a crowd of more than 100 from the greater PSU-LV community.
Curtis retired from the FBI after 25 years, having played a key role in the investigation and eventual conviction of the mayors of both Reading and Allentown, cases involving pay-to-play schemes, bribery, and extortion. Curtis shared insights into his use of informants, wiretaps, and analyzing bank records.
Curtis’ work helped lead to the conviction of former Allentown mayor, Ed Pawlowski on 47 federal crimes for rigging city contracts in favor of campaign benefactors.
