Criminalist Firearms Examiner II

Duties

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs mechanical function examinations of pistols, revolver, rifles and shotguns.
• Examines firearms-related evidence to include bullets, fired cartridge cases, fired shot shells and shotshell components, and unfired ammunition.
• Safely test fires firearms.
• Compares test fire bullets to bullets from the crime scene or individuals to determine whether the evidence bullets were fired from a particular firearm barrel.
• Compares test fired cartridge cases/shotshells to fired cartridge cases/shotshells from the crime scene to determine whether the evidence cartridge cases/shotshells were fired in a particular firearm.
• Performs serial number restoration on firearms with obliterated serial numbers.
• Performs BrassTraxTM acquisitions of test fired cartridge cases and crime scene cartridge cases into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
• Performs Matchpoint+TM correlation reviews to identify and disseminate NIBIN leads.
• Issues reports regarding analysis of evidence
• Testifies as an expert witness in municipal, state and federal courts as necessary regarding analysis
• Maintains chain of custody of evidence
• Makes reagents/standards used for processing and verify their performance
• Performs basic instrument maintenance when necessary
• Performs verifications and technical reviews of casework
• Maintains the firearms reference collection and stock ammunition collection.
• Maintains compliance with ISO 17025-2017 standards
• Performs other related duties as assigned

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Must have obtained a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, a physical or natural science, or directly related field, from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• Successful completion of a documented firearms examiner training plan, similar in scope to the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners training manual (approximately 2 years in length).
• 4 years of experience as a firearms examiner in a law enforcement laboratory or directly related environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification by the Association Firearms and Toolmark Examiners

Knowledge:

• Appropriate scientific procedures and equipment used in firearms examination
• Safe handling practices for firearms and chemicals in use by the laboratory
• Investigative methods and techniques
• Rules of evidence and court testimony
• ISO 17025-2017 accreditation requirements as they apply to firearms examination

Skills:

• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Skill in the use of standard office equipment as well as laboratory instrumentation
• Skill in firearms examination

Abilities:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Organize and prioritize work
• Properly use and maintain scientific equipment
• Prepare reagents
• Prepare accurate reports
• Maintain secure custody of evidence while in their possession
• Work independent of direct supervision
• Testify effectively on scientific matters in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Medium work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds with or without assistance at a time
• Frequent Hand/eye coordination to operate computer, laboratory instruments and other testing instruments
• Infrequent Foot/eye coordination to operate motor vehicle
• Occasional Visual acuity correctable to 20/40 with no color impairment to interpret data Occasional Speech communication, hearing and listening to maintain communications with other employees and citizens
• Occasional Standing/Walking- Occurs up to 31 minutes to 2.5 hours per shift

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in an office/laboratory environment
• Exposure to biohazard contamination, chemicals, odors and noise

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel and menu driven databases as a part of the laboratory automated systems
• Microscopes
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

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