It’s here! My favorite day of the week…Forensic Friday!
I wanted to continue our forensic interview series staying within the realm of comparison, but this time, firearms examination. The three individuals I chose to interview this week are all active practitioners within the field of firearms examination. I am super fortunate to consider them close friends and even luckier I got to work alongside them when I lived in Texas.
While working with them, I learned A LOT about firearms! Not only did these guys make me feel safe around these machines but they gave me an up-close and personal look into what being a firearms examiner is all about…and spoiler alert, it’s PRETTY FREAKIN COOL!
Firearms Examination 101
In a very short and basic explanation, firearm examinations determine if a fired ammunition component, for example, a bullet and/or a cartridge case, came from a particular firearm. Firearm examiners compare the microscopic unique markings on bullets or cartridge casings fired from a particular firearm. With this information, they can provide very valuable information to investigators about whether or not the particular firearm being examined was used in a crime.
Toolmark comparison works in the same way. Think bolt cutter on a lock.
Serial number restoration is the application of techniques for the retrieval of the manufacturer’s identifier, in cases where it has been obliterated.
NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network)- a database that contains digital images of cartridge cases involved in other crimes. This allows examiners the possibility to link crimes together. Think CODIS in DNA.
So you want to be a Firearms Examiner?
Since my basic knowledge about firearms examination will not do this discipline justice, you need to check out the following interviews with my favorite (and again, totally biased) firearms examiners. Each of them has studied, trained, and worked INCREDIBLY hard to be where they are today.
Let me introduce to you Madison, Darrell, and Phillip. I really love how each of them brought their own perspective to this interview…and humor too! Just in case you didn’t know….the majority of us in the forensic field have a twisted sense of humor. If you can’t get down with a “deadly” joke, choose a different profession!
Keep reading to see if firearm examination is the career for you!
Madison’s Interview
Title/position:
-Firearms and Toolmarks Examiner
What are your primary job duties?
-Bullet, cartridge case and toolmark comparison, firearms functionality, NIBIN, and serial number restoration.
How did you get interested in the field of Forensic Science?
-Not sure to be honest. I thought I wanted to be a detective, but then I learned that you had to be a cop first and I didn’t want to do that. Forensics is very much still under the investigative umbrella in law enforcement and as it turns out, at least in my opinion; it is a lot more fascinating.
With the various disciplines of forensic science, how did you decide on a career as a firearm and toolmark examiner?
Firearms challenges me every day. There is no database or machine that spits out the answer for me (except for NIBIN, but that’s an explanation for another day). At the end of the day it’s my opinion, my brain power that decides whether or not that bullet was fired from that firearm.
It’s not just about “oh it’s cool because I get to shoot a gun everyday.”, but if you really think about why a firearms examiner can do what they do… It’s enthralling. No two firearms mark the same, but why? Because of the way it’s manufactured, but why? Because the tool that makes that piece of the firearm changes at a microscopic level every time.
The “but why’s” is what gets me. Also in firearms, there are exceptions to every rule. Again, it’s the challenge for me.
What excites you most about the discipline of firearms and toolmarks?
-I think what excites me is the reason I chose to pursue it.
What is something about working in the field of firearm examination that caught you by surprise?
-I think what caught me off guard is the community that is Firearms. I can’t speak for other disciplines, but it seems like since the Firearms discipline is so small us as examiners from all over the US become great friends and coworkers. Everyone is so willing to learn from one another and share experiences.
What aspects of this field do you find most challenging?
-Court. Firearms is still considered new in the field of Forensics. I find that we have to defend our science often when we testify.
In order to succeed as a firearm and toolmark examiner, what qualities should one possess?
-Be able to multitask. You will be working more than one case at a time.
Where do you see the future of the firearm and toolmark field going?
-It’s starting to incorporate more statistics. This discipline is hard for some to grasp because there is no way for us to test fire every single firearm in this world. Naturally numbers make it easier for people to understand a concept. It’s also becoming more digital. They are starting to create computer databases for comparisons, but some of those have been proven to not be as reliable as the eye of the examiner. So I guess more statistics and digital comparisons is where I see Firearms heading.
If you were to give one piece of advice to an aspiring firearms examiner, what would it be?
-Have patience. Firearms is a very selective field. There are only 5 examiners that work for the state agency where I live. It is not like some of the other disciplines where there are dozens in a lab. Also, be willing to leave home. It is not likely that your first gig out of college will be close to home.
Darrell’s Interview
Title/position:
FA Examiner
What are your primary job duties?
I examine fired bullets and cartridge cases and compare them to test fires I made from the submitted firearm.
How did you get interested in the field of Forensic Science?
When I couldn’t get into premed I realized this was the closest thing to dealing with dead people.
With the various disciplines of forensic science, how did you decide on a career as a firearm and toolmark examiner?
I was offered two positions drugs or firearms. I knew for a fact firearms would have been what I wanted to do because I never understood firearms other than the fact they go boom originally. It wasn’t until I started my training that there was so much that went into a firearm functionality and it peaked my interest.
What excites you most about the discipline of firearms and toolmarks?
Knowing that at some point I will get a weird firearm or homemade firearm and I have to figure out how it functions. It’s like a puzzle that may be missing pieces.
What is something about working in the field of firearm examination that caught you by surprise?
Homemade firearms. Never thought of the DIY style and 3d printed firearms. They function differently when it comes to the firing aspect.
What aspects of this field do you find most challenging?
Polygonal bullets. Those are never fun to work with but when you can id them you feel accomplished.
In order to succeed as a firearm and toolmark examiner, what qualities should one possess?
Curiosity for me would be the main quality… you never know what you are going to get. Will the firearm function if it’s been in a lake for a decade and if not how can I get it to function.
Where do you see the future of the firearm and toolmark field going?
3d imaging using the comparison scopes. Scan the image in a 3d module and make my comparisons that away. The more detailed/advanced the 3d module the more I can work with when comparing.
If you were to give one piece of advice to an aspiring firearms examiner, what would it be?
Know that you don’t need to have gun knowledge to do this job just the willingness to learn. This job can be challenging but as long as you have the right tools for the job (i.e a hard science degree, a hunger for knowledge, and an opportunity to get the position) you can get it done.
Phillip’s Interview
Title/position:
Forensic Scientist Firearms and Toolmarks
What are your primary job duties?
Analyze fired evidence (fired cartridge cases/bullets) and compare them to known test fires generated from a suspected gun. Once analysis has been complete, issue a report to the submitting agency/DA and testify in court.
How did you get interested in the field of Forensic Science?
My grandfather was a police officer. Hearing his stories, I have always been interested in law enforcement. Throughout college, I excelled in math and science. Still wanting to pursue law enforcement, I decided to focus on forensics as my career choice.
With the various disciplines of forensic science, how did you decide on a career as a firearm and toolmark examiner?
Funny story, with my chemistry background I focused on drug chemistry. After countless interviews, I was given the opportunity as a firearms examiner instead. I decide to pursue it and fell in love with the field.
What excites you most about the discipline of firearms and toolmarks?
Getting paid to shoot guns. It doesn’t get much better than that. Joking aside, I really love the challenges that each case brings.
What is something about working in the field of firearm examination that caught you by surprise?
The lack of support when compared to other disciplines that utilizes instruments for their analysis (DNA, Drugs, Toxicology… etc) I think this plays a role in the subjective nature of a firearms examiner.
What aspects of this field do you find most challenging?
Our science is subjective and trying to explain that in court can be challenging. Most people view science as objective in nature. Another challenging aspect is to keep up to date with all the literature and constant changing laws.
In order to succeed as a firearm and toolmark examiner, what qualities should one possess?
Critical thinking is an important quality not only in firearms, but all of forensics. A lot of our firearms are submitted broken or missing parts and a lot of our fired evidence is damaged. As an examiner, we must try to figure out the best route to take for our analysis.
If you were to give one piece of advice to an aspiring firearms examiner, what would it be?
Focus on a hard science degree (chemistry, biology, physics…) and definitely get an internship. This is a competitive field and having internship experience sets you apart from other candidates.
I hope you enjoyed this weeks forensic series! A huge thanks goes to Madison, Phillip, & Darrell for sharing their expertise!
If you have any questions regarding firearm examination or forensic science in general, post them below! If you haven’t already, check out last week’s Forensic Friday post about what it’s like to be a Latent Print Examiner.
Don’t forget to follow along with @theproperseal on Instagram for more career advice and lifestyle tips!
