Firearm Examiners and Ballistic ExpertsBy Sean Fleming and Wes

Career Summary Firearm Examiners and Ballistic Experts use microscopic

comparisons of marking to associate an item of evidence with a particular source

Examination process By using the Comparison Macroscope (on the left), Ballistic Experts are able

to examine gun markings and rifling impressions very efficiently and thoroughly

A submitted firearm will be fired several times using a water tank (on the right) to obtain standards from the firearm used in a crime scene

Career Education Requirements To accomplish a career in Firearm and Ballistic Forensics an

individual would require… A bachelors degree in Forensic Science

A bachelors degree in Criminology

Some amount of training in mechanical engineering or metallurgy

Required training in this field would include… Crime scene searches

Evidence handling

Expert witness testimony training

Firearms identification

Advantages and Disadvantages Some advantages proceeding in this career could include…

Using the career knowledge outside of his/her job

Understanding of gun violence and misuse of a deadly weapon

Could possibly lead to other careers such as joining the police force

Some disadvantages could comprise of… Low to moderate annually pay and overall salary

Possible dangerous situations within the work space

Vigilant responsibility and reliability is held towards an examiner

The Zimmerman TrialSummary:

The Zimmerman Trial was held against George Zimmerman for the murder of Treyvon Martin. It was believed that Martin was killed with one shot at contact range from George Zimmerman’s 9mm hand gun. Zimmerman was first charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter due to some evidence found by Firearm Examiner Amy Siewert, then was relieved of all charges later in the case. This controversy started on June 10th and came to an end on July 13th.

Firearm Examinations Impact the Court Amy Siewert is a FDLE crime lab firearms analyst that testified in the

Zimmerman Case on July 3rd 2013, that greatly impacted the jury

Amy Siewert testified that tearing and residue such as gunpowder marks on Martin's clothing showed the gun was directly against him when it was fired.

This powerful piece of defense evidence included a 2-inch circle of tiny gun-powder marks around the bullet hole on Trayvon Martins chest

Career Summary The starting yearly salary for a firearm examiner is around $32,000

The average annually pay is approximately $40,000

85% of Forensic Firearm Examiners are Male

Employment Prospects Schooling includes ITT Tech, AIU Online, Kaplan University, etc.

After college you can get hired by police stations

Most police stations in the city, with more crime rate

Crime scene investigation groups

Related Careers Crime Scene Investigators

Forensic Toxicologist

Trace Evidence Examiner

Crime Laboratory Examiner

Forensic Pathologist/Medical examiner