Forensic Scientist II or III (Firearms Examiner)

Duties

This is professional and technical work applying forensic science in the examination of firearms, toolmarks, and serial number restorations associated with routine and complicated police investigations involving firearms and firearm related evidence.

• Personal contacts include: investigative officers to give and receive information; State’s Attorneys to discuss “expert” court testimony concerning the analysis of firearms and firearm related evidence; crime scene unit personnel regarding matters related to the collection and processing of evidence; and state and federal law enforcement representatives to articulate concepts, discuss technical information, and resolve problems.
• An employee conducts examinations, which include the following:
• microscopic comparisons of evidence and known specimens for the purpose of source identification;
• testing firearms for function, operability, and safety;
• NIBIN screening, entry, and correlations;
• and restoration of obliterated serial numbers.
• The employee is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments and has full technical responsibility for the work.
• Due to the sensitive legal nature of the work, the employee is required to apply complex technical procedures to make critical and accurate identifications.
• Performance of the work in this position involves occasional exposure to elevated noise levels resulting from the discharging of firearms, and exposure to lead and residues from blood and body fluids on bullets and firearms.
• The work requires strict observance of safety precautions and procedures in utilizing chemicals to perform various forensic analyses applicable to firearms and toolmark examinations, and in the handling and operating of firearms.
• The work may also involve occasional long periods of standing while conducting examinations at laboratory counters, and the lifting and carrying of weapons and ammunition boxes weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.

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

Requirements

Forensic Scientist II - Grade 22

• Experience: Two (2) years of full-time professional experience conducting examinations of firearms, bullets, cartridge cases, and related evidence as a firearms examiner. Training time within the discipline of Firearms Examination may count toward the two-year requirement. To be eligible at this level, the incumbent must have been deemed qualified to conduct casework by an accredited laboratory.
• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a natural, physical or forensic science.
• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Forensic Scientist III - Grade 25

• Experience: Four (4) years of full-time professional experience conducting examinations of firearms, bullets, cartridge cases, and related evidence as a firearms examiner. Training time of up to (2) two years within the discipline of Firearms Examination may count toward the (4) four-year experience requirement. To be eligible at this level the incumbent must have been deemed qualified to conduct casework by an accredited laboratory for a minimum of (2) years as a Firearms Examiner completing comparative work.
• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a natural, physical or forensic science.
• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

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