GRADE: 13

SALARY: $57,252 – $75,894

POSITION TITLE: Firearms Examiner

DEPARTMENT: Laboratory/Firearms Section

REPORTS TO: Firearms Section Supervisor

Position Summary

Responsible for conducting forensic examination of firearms and related evidence.

FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

Essential Functions

• Examines firearms to properly identify correct make, type, caliber, and serial number of firearm.
• Examines firearms to see if they function, are defective, or have been modified in any way. Based on examination, determines if the firearm is safe to be fired.
• Test fires firearms to determine if the firearm operates as designed by the manufacturer.
• Examines firearms and creates test shots in attempts to determine if the firearm was used in a specific crime.
• Conducts serial number restorations on defaced firearms, restoring defaced or altered serial numbers.
• Enters test shots and evidence cartridge cases into the NIBIN/IBIS digital imaging system to record and disseminate images, identifying cases where the same firearm was used in different jurisdictions.
• Examines tool marks in attempts to determine what make or type of tool marked the Evidence. Examines tools and creates test tool marks in attempts to determine if the tool was used in a specific crime.
• Perform technical reviews of other examiners reports
• Read relevant journal articles in order to keep current in the field and attend relevant meetings and classes.
• Successfully complete multiple internal and external proficiency tests annually.
• Provides forensic services in the field of Firearms Identification to other law enforcement agencies.
• Attend pre-trial conferences and testify in court concerning report results.
• May handle phone calls relating to requests concerning lab processes

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree with science courses preferred
• Association of Firearm/Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) membership with AFTE Certification preferred.
• Firearms examiner training with at least one year of casework experience (Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to perform basic level of data analysis including the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize and/or reference data, statutes and/or guidelines and/or group, rank, investigate and diagnose. Requires discretion determining and referencing such to established standards to recognize interactive effects and relationships.
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance and/or interpretation to others, such as coworkers, attorneys, detectives and other interested personnel on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations
• Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Materials Use: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or provide simple but continuous adjustment on equipment, machinery and tools such as Digital camera, alternate light source, basic computer programs, LIMS tracking system, and basic laboratory equipment. Additionally, for DNA typing duties: extraction robots, quantitation equipment, capillary electrophoresis equipment, and thermocyclers.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as lab reports/records, test forms, requisitions, supply inventory, procedure manuals, safety manuals, equipment operating manuals, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages, fractions and decimals; perform mathematical operations involving basic algebra.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
• Environmental Factors: Tasks may risk exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as odors, toxic/poisonous agents, disease or pathogenic substances.
• Physical Requirements: Requires the ability to lift specimen samples and lab equipment and tools weighing up to twenty (20) pounds.
• Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes and odors to distinguish bacteria colonies and specimen characteristics. Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.

Working Environment:

• This position may be exposed to odors, chemicals and other elements. Occasional exposure to noise, dust, heat, and cold.

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids: 

• Personal Computer
• Telephone
• Cell Phone
• Copier/Fax Machine
• Vehicle

PHYSICAL/VISUAL ACTIVITIES OR DEMANDS

Sitting, standing, walking, reaching, feeling, hearing, talking, repetitive use of hands.

Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less with the ability to adjust the eye to bring objects into sharp focus.

Frequent moving and/or lifting of materials or evidence weighing up to 25 pounds.

Employees are required to submit to a DNA buccal swab as a condition of employment.

Must participate in the Latent Unit On-Call list.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The job description does not necessarily contain all of the actual or essential duties of this position.  All job offers are contingent upon passing a medical evaluation/drug screen and criminal background check.

Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.  

“Commonly associated” is not intended to mean always or only. There are different experiences that suggest other ways or circumstances where reasonable changes or accommodations are appropriate.