Topic: Charleston Workshop Highlights - Volume 2 (Added 2/2018)

[Scott McVeigh]

Charleston Workshops Highlights – Volume 1
Some workshops at AFTE Training Seminars need no introduction.  New workshops by first-time instructors or invitees may need a little additional background so that attending AFTE members can be assured that the Workshop Subcommittee has been working extra hard to bring AFTE members the highest quality, C.V. enhancing training opportunities available.  This is just the first highlight sampling of some of the new workshops on offer in Charleston in June.
 
1) LWRCI: AR Platform Function Overview & Manufacturing Overview:
LWRCI firearms have been described by some as the Ferraris of the AR-platform world.  Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with its sister company Matech, they have graciously opened their doors for factory tours for local labs.  In an effort to bring that tour to our members, LWRCI will be bringing hi-def. drone footage and close-up video of inside their facilities to showcase all of their machining processes, which includes a cold hammer forging machine where all of their barrels are made in-house.  This workshop offers bonuses with an abbreviated AR-platform armorer’s course as well as a Q&A session with one of the company’s design engineers.  If you have ever wondered about the detailed aspects of machining, this may be your chance to get your questions answered, as well as working with unique cutaway AR-platform guns.


2) Why 2D Images Offer Expedited Lead Generation for a Comprehensive Ballistic Analysis Program:
This workshop will be of particular interest to those lab personnel that work hand-in-hand with investigators/intelligence units to curtail gun crime.  This is a brand new vendor for the AFTE community that has two (2) retired NYPD Firearm Examiners using a newly developed system to help agencies with investigative leads in their cases.  A growing trend in recent years, maximizing intelligence yield from firearm evidence is here to stay.


3) Marshall University Robert C. Byrd Institute Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center Tour:
What better way to see 3D printing and conventional machining – turning, milling, CNC machining all in one place? Plus, you will get to take home two 1911 style firing pin samples made by this manufacturer.  Marshall University has opened its door for this one-of-a-kind tour.  Go Herd!


4) Warwood Tool Company Manufacturing Tour:
Perhaps many of you have been to firearm factories to enhance your C.V., but how many tool manufacturers have you visited?  This is a great chance to see the fundamental techniques that ‘shape’ our discipline up close and personal! Fans of ‘Forged in Fire’ might want to see the drop forging and grinding done by the folks in Wheeling!


5) Slide Fire Familiarization:
Those members that are not gun enthusiasts in their off time may not have had the chance to experience shooting the Slide Fire stock first hand.  Believe it or not, there is trick or two to making it work correctly.  Workshops participants will become significantly more conversant in the Slide Fire device after this workshop.  Whether they testify in court or dazzle people at parties, it is a different experience to shoot one than watch a video of someone else shooting it!


Regardless of which workshops you choose, we hope you will take advantage of these classes to maximize professional growth, fellowship and maybe even a little bit of fun!  Whatever you do, act now because the workshop seats are being claimed every day.

Scott McVeigh – AFTE/Charleston 2018 Workshop Subcommittee Chair

[Scott McVeigh]

Charleston Workshops Highlights – Volume 2
 
Some workshops at AFTE Training Seminars need no introduction.  New workshops by first-time instructors or invitees may need a little additional background so that attending AFTE members can be assured that the Workshop Subcommittee has been working extra hard to bring AFTE members the highest quality, C.V. enhancing training opportunities available.  This is the second highlight sampling of some of the new workshops on offer in Charleston in June. 
 
1) AccuTrans: Lifting Techniques From Difficult Surfaces & Toolmarks:
AccuTrans is coming to Charleston to address all of your casting needs!  Trainers should definitely consider attending this workshop to obtain the consecutively manufactured sets that will be replicated during this informative workshop.  To date, this will include sets of barrels, slides, and bolts.  Attendees will be able to use the whole range of AccuTrans products while conducting some casting experimentation.
 
2) Implementation of 3D Technology, Analysis, and Statistics for FA/TM Examinations:
Workshops and technical papers are vital to the examiner’s understanding of emerging technologies and quantitative, objective criteria that will likely shape the future of our science.  The workshop setting is the ideal place to get meaningful, hands-on experience with instructors paving the way with these endeavors.   This kind of information can be very helpful to any lab that may be facing an upcoming legal challenge or two!
 
3) Recognizing 80% Lowers (Pistol & Rifle Platforms) in Casework:  “Ghost” guns are all over the news.  (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/law-enforcement-struggling-to-combat-unregulated-diy-ghost-guns/)
Seize this chance to double down on your knowledge about all things regarding 80% Lowers.  Or as one of the instructors said, “Drill, mill, and shoot!” Regulatory experts from the ATF will answer all of your questions and give you real sense of the issues regarding the past, present, and future of these devices.
 
4) Using Ultra-Violet & Infrared Photography for the Discovery and Documentation of Invisible Evidence:
Those examiners  that could use an update on ultra-violet and infrared photography need look no further; our instructors for this course were sought after for their expertise on this topic. Those labs considering updating their infrared equipment for gunshot residue cases should seriously consider this workshop to enhance information provided by our attending vendors.
 
 
 
Scott McVeigh – AFTE/Charleston 2018 Workshop Subcommittee Chair