Wecht Institute Symposium ‘Hunting the Hunters’ to Look at Serial Killers
Register by Tuesday, Sept. 10, to learn about the motivations and methods of famous serial killers like Ted Bundy and Dennis Rader, also known as “The BTK Killer,” at the 18th annual Forensic Science and Law Symposium.
Hunting the Hunters: An Interdisciplinary Investigation into Serial Killing, presented by the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law, will be held from Wednesday, Sept. 11, to Friday, Sept. 13, in the Power Center Ballroom.
Open to the campus community and to the public, the symposium will address topics such as why most serial killers are men, reasons the insanity defense rarely succeeds in serial killer trials and the distinguishing characteristics of serial killers versus “spree” killers.
Among the symposium presenters are:
- Ann Wolbert Burgess, psychiatric nursing pioneer whose work inspired the character of Dr. Wendy Carr in Netflix’s popular television series Mindhunter
- Jerry Clark, former FBI agent who led the investigation into Erie’s “pizza bomber” case
- Julie Grant, Court TV co-anchor and former assistant district attorney for Allegheny County
- Katherine Ramsland, author of Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader and director of the M.A. in Criminal Justice program at DeSales University
- Kathy Kleiner Rubin, one of Bundy’s two surviving victims.
Additional presenters include legal experts, psychologists and criminalists who will share their unique perspectives on understanding, identifying, capturing and prosecuting serial killers.
Duquesne University full-time faculty, staff and students can attend the symposium at no cost by emailing wechtinstitute@duq.edu. Space is limited.
Hunting the Hunters has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 14 hours of Substantive CLE credit. Duquesne is offering 14 contact hours for nurses, social workers and psychologists. This course also has been approved by the Pennsylvania Coroners Education Board for eight hours of continuing education.
Visit www.duq.edu/serialkillers for more information, including cost, the symposium schedule, bios of speakers and details on continuing education and contact hours for professionals. Online registration closes Tuesday, Sept. 10.