Topic: Seeking Firearms and Toolmarks Trainee Position

[kathanas]

My name is Karin Athanas and I am a recent graduate of George Washington University with a Master's in Forensic Science. I am seeking a full-time position in the New England area (Canada, Maine, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Pennsylvania) to start sometime in the summer or later.

I am currently working as a Forensic Laboratory Specialist III for the Virginia Department of Forensic Sciences in the Firearms and Toolmarks section. In my current position, I am assisting in the examination of evidence in firearms related cases as well as maintaining the equipment and performing audits on section evidence storage and chemical inventories. I am a trained NIBIN technician and am responsible for the entry and review of all evidence in my section. I attended the 2005 AFTE conference in Indianapolis, ID and am now registered for the 2006 AFTE conference in Boston, Mass. I am hard working and dedicated and would like to pursue a career as a Firearms and Toolmarks examiner. However, I would also consider a training position in another forensic science field.

I have attached my resume and would be happy to answer any questions upon request.

Karin Athanas
Forensic Laboratory Specialist III
Virginia Department of Forensic Science
kathanas2@yahoo.com
(703) 669-2448

[Michael Haag]

Karin,
Good job getting in on the Tech level, first off.  It seems lately that many come out of Masters Programs thinking they are qualified to come in the door.  I think with the number of Forensic Newbies gettting MFS's, and how generic a MFS is, they over estimate its worth for getting in the door. 
I have seen many of our volunteer interns (who we demonstrate and familiarize with NIBIN) out class MFS holders to get full on Firearm Examiner Trainee positions.
Best thing to do next is make to AFTE in Springfield.
mgh