DITA was established by the DIA Board to provide structured training similar to the California POST that law enforcement are required to attend, but with a focus on the work of Defense Investigators which entails various legal, forensic, and investigative areas. DITA was conceived and first planned out by LaWanda Lyons-Pruit from Santa Barbara County as well as Jean & Scott Dittmyer from San Diego County. The first course was held in conjunction with the 1999 Spring DIA Seminar. The Defense Investigators Training Academy has been going strong over 25 years and has certified over 225 investigators!
DITA (an acronym for Defense Investigator Training Academy) was established by vote of the Board of Directors of the Defense Investigators Association in 1998. DITA provides certified training in criminal defense investigations. DITA classes address the skills and knowledge essential to provide competent investigation on behalf of the defense in criminal cases. The DITA committee members studied a wide variety of issues and topics to identify classes that they considered to be necessary training for criminal defense investigators.