NATIONAL FIREARMS EXAMINER ACADEMY
The mission of the National Firearms Examiner Academy is to provide training for apprentice/entry level firearm and toolmark examiners from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The curriculum is composed of the fundamentals of firearms and toolmark examinations and will serve as the basis for the trainee, under supervision, to develop into a qualified firearm and toolmark examiner.
The Academy curriculum is comprised of four phases of instruction.
Phase I � A three-month period during which the student completes and timely submits a series of pre-course assignments prior to reporting to the Academy.
Phase Il�A 14-week instructional session at ATF�s National Laboratory Center in Rockville, Maryland. This session is very content-intensive and in order for the student to self-develop there can be an expectation of study and research during many evenings and weekends.
Phase III � A four-month period in which the student returns to their own agency laboratory. During this period the student will complete a research project which has been pre-approved by Academy instructors and the student�s supervisor at their agency�s laboratory. The student will also complete a simulated firearm or toolmark case given during Phase II. This will be presented in a courtroom scenario in Phase IV.
Phase IV � A two-week follow-up school in Rockville, Maryland which guides the student in preparation for the presentation of expert testimony. This will also include pretrial conferences and the preparation of exhibits. Students will also present their research projects that were completed during Phase III.
Academy applicants must meet the following requirements:
� Applicant must be considered apprentice/entry-level and assigned full time to the position of firearm and toolmark examiner trainee in a laboratory where there is at least one qualified firearmltoolmark examiner. A qualified firearmltoolmark examiner is a person who independently examines physical evidence related to firearms and toolmarks, renders independent opinions as to their findings and presents them in court as an expert witness.
� Applicant must be assigned on a full time basis to a law enforcement forensic laboratory equipped to facilitate the examinations and services which comprise the primary duties of a firearm and toolmark examiner as outlined above.
� Applicant must possess an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution with major course work in physical science, natural science, forensic science, criminalistics, criminal justice, police science, industrial technology, engineering or related field.