Topic: College studies in forensics...Any firearms related?

[Chris Monturo]

Is anyone aware of any colleges or universities that offer a degree in Forensics that touch on firearms identification?

Do any colleges/universities have comparison microscopes?

Any info appriciated.

Thanks
Chris

[AFTE Admin]

Chris,

I graduated from the Metropolitan State College of Denver.  My degree was a BS in Chemistry with a Criminalistics emphasis.  We spent 1-2 lecture periods on firearms identification.  In addition to the lecture there was also a firearms id lab that went along with it.

Jay Stuart
SEMO Regional Crime Lab
(573) 290-5130 Cape Girardeau, MO

[Cole]

The Master's program at University of Illinois at Chicago dedicates a few class sessions to Firearms and Toolmarks, mostly in the Physical Pattern Evidence Analysis class.  I don't exactly know where that stands now that Striupaitis has retired, though.  There are a couple of comparison microscopes in their lab, though they're not great.  Why do you ask?

[bskarp]

Chris,
I went to George Washington University for my Master of Forensic Sciences. I took a semester of Firearms Identification. The class was ok but could have used more hands-on laboratory work. From what I recall we didn't have a comparison microscope to use.

Brian Karp
Oakland Police Dept.
Firearms Examiner

[kathanas]

I will be graduating from George Washington University in May. They have 2 comparison microscopes and teach a comprehensive class in Firearms and Toolmarks. There are 6 labs that accompany the class that cover a land and groove comparison, cartridge case comparison, two toolmark comparisons (hammer impression and tool striation), a serial number restoration, and finally a distance determination. I found all to be informative, challenging, and fun. I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Karin Athanas
Forensic Laboratory Specialist II
Virginia Division of Forensic Science, Northern Lab

[Ann Davis]

Chris,

Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA has an undergraduate degree in Forensic Science as well as a MS degree.  A semester long course in Firearm and Toolmark ID is an elective in the MS curriculum.  The course is taught at the VA DFS laboratory where we have 9 comparison microscopes for use by the students.  The class is limited to 12 students to assure that each student receives the individual attention that is necessary for him/her to glean the most from the class.

Historically, a laboratory class taught at the undergraduate level has included 4 lab exercises taught by the fa/tm examiners, which have varied from toolmark comparisons (impressed and striated toolmarks), bullet rifling and BF class identification of markings; vehicle lamp examinations, serial number principles and examination,  distance determination, trajectory analysis.  These lab exercises include handouts and a lecture briefing the students about the subject matter prior to the exercise.  This lab class accompanies a lecture class where 2 lectures on FA/Tm examination and related topics are given.    

Ann

[Michael Neel]

Chris,

I received my Masters of Science degree in Forensic Science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We had a comparison microscopic (it was not in great shape) and we had lectures and a some practicals to complete using both cartridge cases and bullets. We did not do any "classic" toolmark practicals. The lectures were given by qualified Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

Mike

[Ed Wallace]

Chris,

When I was at Strathclyde University in Glasgow (Scotland) we were given a few lectures on Firearm ID, a practical in serial number restoration and a brief overview of Tool Marks. The department had a decent comparison microscope that was being used for other disciplines. When I expressed an interest in Firearms work I was handed a box full of fired bullets and cartridge cases and told to see what I could do with them. Not the most structured educational environment, but I did get a good deal of hands on work with the scope and miscellaneous ammunition.

Then I went to Indy and Jim and Mickey learned me how to do it right! :roll:

Ed

[Michele Eichenmiller]

I attend the Forensic Master's Program at Marshall University and we have a comparative sciences class that is a requirement of the program.  It is a two credit hour class that offers 3-4 lectures on firearms examinations but that is it!  :?

[Michelle Dilbeck]

UC DAVIS has a Masters program in Forensic Science that includes Firearms Identification.  I'm not sure how detailed it is, I know when I took the course nothing was covered (that was before the class was split into two new courses).  Since some lectures are held at the California Criminalistic Institute in Sacramento, with some of the same instructors, I would think they would get a good introduction.  

Speaking of CCI, it does offer a series of courses in Firearms and Toolmarks, but you need to be working in a crime lab to attend.  These courses are excellent for fireams examiners in-training.

[Phil Brereton]

Here in the UK, Cranfield University offer a number of courses, including:

Firearms forensic investigations
Forensic ballistics
Ballistics.

Thats all I've found for the mature student. Thats the polite way of saying I'm getting old.

[Kurt Moline]

Hamline University in St Paul, MN has a forensic science certificate program.  I teach a (2 credit, January term) firearms class as part of their program.  They just recently purchased a comparison scope for the students to use.

[evoigt]

Chris,

I am currently a student in the M.S.F.S. program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  While there is currently no working comparison microscope in our department, a semester long firearms and toolmarks ID course is offered.  I am also doing an firearms ID internship with the Birmingham Police Department.  This is great hands-on experience, but they can only take one student a year.  Hope this information helps.

Emily