MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
MICHAEL CONNOLLY
Michael Connolly has dedicated nearly three decades to serving as a police officer in Boston, with almost 25 years specializing in crime scene investigation. He pioneered the crime scene training program at the Boston Police Crime Scene Response Unit (CSRU), establishing a robust foundation for educating all of the Unit’s Crime Scene Investigators. He has developed and delivered training for recently appointed Detectives and Sergeants, Detective In-Service as well as Specialized Units within the Boston Police Department as well as trained other local, state and federal agencies.
Mike also serves as a Lead Instructor for the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program through the U.S. State Department and for the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT) program at Louisiana State University, where he teaches Terrorist Crime Scene Investigation and Advanced Forensics and Hazardous Environments courses.
In 2021, driven by the commitment to elevate forensic skills within the forensic and law enforcement community post-pandemic, Mike established Situational Forensics - a venture dedicated to delivering specialized, in-depth training programs designed to meet the field’s unique demands.
EDWARD DINGMAN
Edward Dingman is a retired NYPD Detective with over 20 years of dedicated service. Specializing in forensic investigations, he spent more than 11 years assigned to the Crime Scene Unit and the Manhattan North Evidence Collection Team, where he honed his expertise in meticulously analyzing and collecting critical evidence from complex crime scenes.
Following his distinguished career with the NYPD, Ed transitioned to an educational role, becoming a lead instructor for the U.S. Department of State. In this capacity, he imparts his extensive knowledge of forensic investigations to foreign law enforcement agencies, helping to elevate global standards in crime scene investigation.
Additionally, Ed serves as a lead instructor for the NCBRT program at Louisiana State University. Here, he specializes in teaching the forensic investigation of crime scenes contaminated with hazardous CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) materials, ensuring that first responders and investigators are well-equipped to handle these highly sensitive and dangerous situations.
With a career marked by both frontline experience and a commitment to education, Edward Dingman continues to contribute significantly to the field of forensic investigations on an international scale.
PAM HARRIS
Pam Harris brings over 30 years of dedicated service in public safety and currently serves as Zone Commander for four of Boston’s largest and busiest police districts within the Bureau of Field Services. A respected member of the Boston Police Department’s command staff, she has built a distinguished career grounded in leadership, operational excellence, and education.
Pam’s areas of expertise include crime scene management, internal affairs, crimes against children, sexual assault investigations for first responders , and patrol operations. She spent 19 years in the Crime Scene Response Unit, including seven years as the unit’s Training Coordinator. In that role, she was responsible for training newly transferred officers and newly promoted sergeants and detectives in effective crime scene processing, management, and investigations—ensuring the highest standards in forensic response across the department.
Throughout her career, Pam has maintained a strong commitment to education and professional development, both within the department and among law enforcement partners and community stakeholders. She currently as an adjunct instructor at the Boston Police Academy, professor at Emmanuel College, and has provided instruction and leadership beyond the department to strengthen regional collaboration and capacity in public safety.
She is also a certified sexual assault trainer through the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee.
Pam’s outstanding service has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Charles Ogletree Drum for Justice Award and recognition from the Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement (MAWLE) for Excellence in Performance and Civilian Achievement.
She holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Boston University and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Curry College.
EDDY PENA
Eddy Pena is a dedicated law enforcement professional with over 16 years of service in the Boston Police Department. Beginning his career as a Police Cadet in 2004, Eddy was sworn in as Police Officer in May 2008 and spent his first decade serving in both patrol and plainclothes assignments in the Dorchester section of Boston. In October 2019, he transitioned to his current role as a Crime Scene Response Unit (CSRU) Officer.
Eddy is a trained Ten Print Examiner as well as a seasoned Crime Scene Investigator with extensive experience in training law enforcement personnel. He has conducted specialized training for newly appointed Detectives, Sergeants and various specialized units within the Boston Police Department, including Detective In-Service program. Eddy has played a key role in mentoring new Officers to the CSRU and serves as an instructor for the U.S. State Department’s Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program, providing expertise to police and forensic professionals overseas.
With his strong background in crime scene investigation and commitment to education, Eddy brings both practical knowledge and instructional skill to every training session.
MATT STEINER
Matthew Steiner is a retired First Grade Detective with the New York City Police Department’s Crime Scene Unit, where he spent over 20 years investigating crime scenes. He was the lead instructor for the unit, teaching various courses to city, state, and federal agencies. Matthew also teaches advanced forensic courses for the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training and works internationally with the U.S. Department of State on Terrorist Crime Scene Investigations.
With over 2,000 crime scenes investigated, Matthew is an expert in areas like crime scene investigation, bloodstain pattern analysis, and shooting reconstruction. He has testified as an expert witness in New York City, state, and federal courts and is a Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst with the International Association of Identification.
Matthew is involved in several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) forensic science committee. He is also a consultant for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Matthew has appeared as an expert witness on TV networks such as ABC, CBS, and Discovery, and regularly contributes to WIRED’s “Technique Critique” series.
EDWARD WILLIAM WALLACE, JR.
Edward W. Wallace Jr. is a retired New York City Police Department Detective First Grade with over 20 years of service, specializing in crime scene investigation and counterterrorism. He investigated 2,656 crime scenes, including the 9/11 attacks and 2001 Anthrax Attacks, and has testified as a forensic expert in nearly 400 trials. He also played a key role in developing WMD response protocols for the NYPD and NYC Department of Health.
After retiring in 2004, he became Director of Forensic Training at the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner, securing $3 million in DOJ grants to develop national forensic training programs.
Currently, Wallace is President of Finest Forensic Consultants, LLC and serves as a senior instructor and consultant for the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Department of State, training law enforcement and military personnel in forensics, crime scene investigation, counterterrorism, and WMD response.
He is also a co-author of four textbooks on crime scene investigations, published by Taylor & Francis.
Disclaimer: Our courses are independently operated and are not affiliated with the Boston Police Department (BPD), the New York Police Department (NYPD), or any other law enforcement agency.