Forensic Firearm/Toolmark Examiner

City of Chicago

• Applies instrumental, physical and/or chemical techniques in the examination of firearm evidence
• Restores obliterated serial numbers and other weapon identification markings using various processes including acid etching and chemical methods
• Examines items of evidence under a comparison microscope or stereo microscope for identifiable markings
• Disassembles, reassembles, renders safe and tests firearms in a ballistics shooting tank to determine operability, safety and accuracy
• Performs complex examinations and comparisons of firearms, bullets, shells, casings and other related items
• Documents unique characteristics and records physical parameters using measuring projections, micrometers and other equipment
• Performs distance determination and examination of gunshot patterns with test standards
• Conducts database searches, entering search criteria into the Integrated Ballistics Information System (IBIS) to obtain data matches to firearm/tool markings and compare with other recovered evidence
• Compares and evaluates positive forensic matches of evidence ensuring that any discrepancies are adequately explained and/or justified
• Records examination findings into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) database
• Interacts with the City and State agencies to troubleshoot issues resulting from evidence recognition errors, incorrect identification matches and resolves problems
• Testifies as an expert witness regarding forensic analysis explaining evidence identification criteria and substantiating examination findings
• Ensures chain of evidence procedures and quality control standards are followed in firearm/evidence identification investigations
• Complies with unit performance measures, adheres to established goals and objectives, and prepares work reports on casework
• Makes microscopic comparisons and potentially identifies striated or impressed toolmarks as having been made by the same tool
• Tests marks from an evidence tool and compares to toolmarks on evidence items recovered from a crime scene to determine if the evidence tool marked the evidence item
• Analyzes evidence toolmarks recovered from multiple crime scenes to determine if the scenes are related to a single tool

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in a Natural Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Forensics Science or a directly related field, plus at least five years of work experience as a trained Firearm and Tool Mark Examiner with experience working in a forensic laboratory.  Successful completion of a documented Firearm and/or Toolmark Examiner training program is required.