Topic: Firearm Examiner/ Trainee

[Rusty Reed]

Position:   Firearm and Toolmark Analyst (Examiner) I, II, or III

Location:   South Charleston, West Virginia
The West Virginia State Police’s Forensic laboratory, a full service ASCLD-accredited crime laboratory, has an immediate opening for an experienced firearm/toolmark examiner. Although a trained examiner is preferred, a highly-motivated individual with a strong interest in firearms may be accepted as a trainee.  The laboratory in South Charleston is the only location in the State and serves all 55 counties and a population of approximately 1.8 million people. The Firearm/Toolmark Section is a modern facility with two (2) Leica DMC comparison microscopes, one (1) new Leica FSC comparison microscope, Fisher-Hamilton laboratory furniture, and a 30-yard indoor range.

Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must meet the requirements for a firearm and toolmark examiner as stipulated in ASCLD/LAB Section 2.6. Applicants must be able to provide training records and perform casework independently. Membership in AFTE (Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners) is desirable.

Educational Requirements:
Have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science such as chemistry, physics, biology or a related science from an accredited college or university.

Duties:
Trained Position:
Perform microscopic comparisons of evidence-fired bullets and cartridge cases with test fires from submitted firearms.  Applicants must be able to examine cases involving distance determination, serial number restoration, firearm function check, toolmark comparison examinations and other related examinations. Must be able to testify as an expert witness in the field of forensic firearm and toolmark examination. This position requires teaching a two-hour block of instruction on Forensic Firearm/Toolmark examination at the WV State Police Academy to cadets and basic recruits approximately four (4) times a year.
Training in the field of shooting scene reconstruction is desirable.

Trainee Position:
Successful applicant must be willing to aggressively follow the West Virginia State Police training manual which is based on guidelines set out by AFTE (Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners).

Salary/Benefits:
$28,842 to $53,952 per year; vacation and sick leave accrued monthly; 12 paid holidays; health insurance; retirement; increment pay begins after three (3) complete years of service; longevity pay begins after five (5) years service.

- Equal Opportunity Employer -

Questions? :
Contact: Lieutenant Rusty Reed, Firearm/Toolmark Section Head, 304.746.2168
Email: rreed@wvsp.state.wv.us or
Mr. Kent Cochran, Firearm/Toolmark Examiner, 304.746.2167
Email: pkcochran@wvsp.state.wv.us

Application:
Applications can be downloaded at http://www.wvstatepolice.com/employ/civilianapp.pdf or call the personnel section at 304.746.2117.

West Virginia State Police
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, WV 25309