Firearms Examiner
St. Tammany’s Parish Sheriff’s Office
Covington, Louisiana
Subject: Crime Lab – Firearms / Tool mark Examiner
Job Title: Firearms Examiner
Department: Crime Lab
Reports To: Sergeant
FLSA Status: Non exempt
Prepared Date: 07/31/06
SUMMARY – Using microscopy to analysis fired ammunition components and
markings made by certain types of tools. Locates, identifies, and collects
evidence at crime scenes. Prepares detailed analytical reports for use in
criminal and civil cases by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may
be assigned. Microscopic examination of fired ammunition components. Test fires
all types of firearms. Documents muzzle to target distance. Conduct examination
to determine the presence of gun shot residues. Microscopic examination of
materials to identify certain tool marks. Write detailed analytical reports.
Provide expert testimony in criminal and civil court proceedings. Determine
trajectories of firearms at crime scenes. Operate and enter fired components
into the federal firearms identification system, (IBIS). Maintain inventory of
supplies for the firearm and tool mark unit. Use of chemical for serial number
restorations. Verify firearm safety prior to test firing all types of firearms.
Process crime scene to locate and collect physical evidence for scientific
evaluation. Process victim’s body or remains for evidentiary purposes. Submits
properly packaged and labeled evidence to the Evidence Officer for further
forensic evaluation and for use in court.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES – This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS – To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able
to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are
representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE – High school diploma or general education degree
(GED). Specialized training or education in the field of firearms and tool mark
identification.
LANGUAGE SKILLS – Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business
periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental
regulations. Ability to write courts worthy reports and business correspondence.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions to fellow
law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and court officials.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS – Ability to calculate figures, distance, weights,
percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic
algebra and geometry.
REASONING ABILITY – Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a
variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization
exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written,
oral, diagram, or schedule form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS – Valid Louisiana Motor Vehicle
Operator’s License; proof of residency of St. Tammany Parish (voter’s
registration card); birth certificate (minimum age of 21 years); Social Security
Card. P.O.S.T. level 1 certified or the ability to receive P.O.S.T. level 1
certification.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS – The physical demands described here are representative of
those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential
functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While
performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use
hands and fingers, to handle, or feel; reach above head with hands and arms;
balance or climb (on steps, and ladders); stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk
or hear; and smell. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and
lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Due to the nature of this job the employee
must sometimes work in remote locations and must be able to maneuver in these
areas, such as jump over ditches, crawl underneath automobiles, and climb over
fences. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,
distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability
to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT – The work environment characteristics described here are
representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential
functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While
performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside
weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid
conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne
particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; and risk of
electrical shock. Applicant must be willing to work shifts as needed. In
addition, the technician is expected to respond to emergency calls whenever
necessary, 24 hours a day. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT 645-2414 OR
http://www.stpso.com/jobs.php
Return to Employment Opportunities
Return to Home Page