Topic: Firearms Examiners for Iraq/Afghanistan

[PKocher]

Firearms Examiners must be qualified within their department with recent full time firearms examination employment experience. Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

•   Examine and render all evidence safe for handling.

•   Provide guidance and expertise to Latent Print Examiners as to likely locations of latent prints on each firearm or weapon-related piece of evidence. This may entail adjusting firearm/weapon/accessory to expose surface wherein latent prints can be found.

•   Examine evidence item for any signs that indicate make, model, modifications, place of origin, manufacturer or maker and serial numbers and record these observations.

•   For those evidence items designed to fire projectiles, examine item in detail to determine if item can safely fire projectiles. Clearly tag evidence item as “Safe to Fire” or “NOT Safe to Fire.”Judgment is based on experience and best professional judgment.

•   In the event the evidence item is determined safe to fire, draw appropriate standard reference ammunition and test fire weapon into projectile catch pit using remote or direct firing device as deemed appropriate. Retrieve the projectile and cartridge case (if appropriate), bag and tag in association with evidence item number.

•   Enter the test fired projectiles and cartridges into the Integrated Ballistic Information System (IBIS) machine along with necessary data fields assigned.

•   Utilize the IBIS to query data bases and identify potential likely matches to previously enrolled firearms exhibits. Likely matches shall be examined to make independent determination of goodness of match using best professional judgment.

•   Perform a hands-on comparison of projectiles and cartridge cases to assess whether they are likely produced by the same firearm.

•   Examine evidence items for unique or indicative toolmarks, using magnification, etching, x-ray and photographic techniques as desired to best exploit evidence and observe any direction from the Laboratory OIC related to non-destructive testing.

•   Capture still images at 1000 dpi or greater using provided digital photographic equipment, of each evidence item and relevant key portions of the evidence item or other exhibits to support further analysis, conclusions and documentation.

•   Document examination results/findings in a standard firearms and toolmark analysis report and have a Secondary Examiner co-sign if verification is agreed, or to have Secondary Examiner deliver a separate, signed reported stating his/her conclusions. Report all findings even if there were no likely matches or possible conclusions. Electronic copies of all reports shall be provided to the Laboratory OIC.

•   Ensure that an electronic back-up copy of all new or draft reports is made before the end of each work day.

Requirements:

•   Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in criminalistics, forensics, or related field and three (3) to five (5) years of experience in a work unit engaged in firearms identification (a journey-level firearms examiner from ASCLD/LAB accredited laboratory) required. Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year for year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience (120 hours=Bachelor’s degree).
•   Must already possess or currently eligible to obtain AFTE certification. 
•   Must be a US citizen and possess current US passport.
•   Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet and maintain eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
•   Candidates must be able to successfully pass proficiency testing prior to and periodically during employment with the company as directed by the company and/or by the government Laboratory Director.
•   General pre-deployment training of all contract employees is required by the Department of Defense in preparation for working overseas on a US base.

Duty rotation is a minimum of two 4-month tours or at least one six month tour on US bases in Iraq, and possibly Afghanistan. 

Free food, lodging, and transportation are included. I3 has very competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. Please apply and attach your resume on our website, idealinnovations.com,  in the Careers section. EOE

Contact:
Pam Kocher
Ideal Innovations, Inc.
(304)641-0958
pam.kocher@idealinnovations.com