What’s New With PDAP

What's New With PDAP: Introducing the Investigator Basics Manual

February 25, 2025 – Investigators are a vital asset to any Public Defender office, bringing a non-attorney perspective to the facts of the case and gathering information to assist in developing a client’s defense. Stepping into this role may seem daunting, especially for Public Defenders who are the only investigators in their county office.

To ensure that new PA Public Defender investigators feel prepared and supported in their roles, PDAP proudly presents the Investigator Basics Manual. This document is full of best practices and resources for incoming investigators and serves as a refresher for more seasoned investigators. It can also be used to teach other Public Defenders about the investigator role.

Some highlights from the Investigator Basics Manual include:

A breakdown of an investigator’s role and basic duties within a Public Defender office
Best practices for investigation-specific areas: physical evidence collection, record requests, witness interviews, etc.
Ethical and legal considerations for criminal defense investigation
Information about Pennsylvania’s Rules of Professional Conduct and Evidence
Appendices containing work product templates, sample release forms, subpoena related documents, physical evidence collection documents, and more

We thank the Public Defenders who contributed to the creation of this manual: Alyssa Biederman, Delaware County Public Defender Lead Investigator and Alexis Climes, Allegheny County Public Defender Manager of Investigations. The manual was created by Julie Hyman, PDAP’s Manager of SWIM (Social Workers/social service advocates, Investigators, Mitigators) Advocacy and Engagement, with support from PDAP Communications Associate Anna Gordover and PDAP Executive Director Sara Jacobson.

Each Public Defender’s office in the state will receive a hard copy of this manual, and it is also available under the PDAP Manuals and Investigative Resources sections of our website. Investigators and other Public Defenders can also check out PDAP’s social service and investigative resources under the SWIM page. For more information regarding the Investigator Basics Manual, reach out to Julie Hyman at Julie@PaPublicDefenders.com.

Our mission is to provide tools, strategies, mutual support, training and information to Public Defender Offices in Pennsylvania; to be the voice of public defense in Pennsylvania; and to promote best practices in the leadership, management, and administration of justice in Pennsylvania.