While at UC Berkeley he studied linguistic philosophy with Paul Grice and John Searle. During his graduate work at the University of Chicago he was a student of Paul Ricoeur in narrative theory. He was trained in the S.C.A.N. technique (Scientific Content Analysis) by Avinoam Sapir, and has completed the Level 2 practicum, which is LSI's most advanced training level in the methodology of forensic content analysis. In addition he has completed the Reid Institute's advanced training in interrogation technique with special emphasis on suspected child abuse interviewing.