Firearms Examiner

About the role

The Anne Arundel County Police Department is seeking a Fulltime, Permanent, Safety Sensitive Firearms Examiner. This position serves as a court qualified expert witness in the field of firearms and toolmark examination.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forensic examinations in the areas of firearms, toolmarks, serial number restoration, gunshot residue/distance analysis, and fracture identification, to include chemical examination.
• Work independently, but within the established policies and procedures set forth by the Maryland Department of Health and ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) ISO 17025 for the Firearms Examiner discipline.
• Enter and analyze computer data to include the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
• Conduct forensic image analysis.
• Testify in court as an expert witness.
• Aid other forensic units, prosecutors, and allied agencies.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in biological or physical science; or a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field.
• Completion of a training program providing original certification by the Association of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) as a firearms and toolmark examiner.
• A valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.

Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field.
• Experience providing expert witness testimony in court.
• Experience working as a primary examiner conducting examinations of firearms, cartridge cases, bullets and related evidence in an accredited agency.
• Experience using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.
• Experience utilizing a comparison microscope in examining bullets and fired cartridge cases.

Skills

• Knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, general orders, principles and practices governing firearms and tool mark examination.
• Knowledge of rules governing the admissibility of firearms evidence in courts.
• Considerable knowledge of different firearms and ammunition.
• Considerable knowledge of standard techniques utilized to classify and identify firearms.
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of photographic techniques applicable to firearms, toolmark and fracture identification.
• Knowledge of proper format for departmental correspondence.
• Skilled in the operation laboratory equipment, especially microscopes.
• Ability to handle firearms in a safe and responsible manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to testify in court as an expert witness.
• Ability to conduct forensic examinations of firearms and to follow detailed instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain working relationships with county officials, law enforcement officials, employees, contractors, and the public.

Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance Plans: BlueChoice Advantage EPO, BlueChoice Advantage PPO, CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up), CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE), CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)
• Dental Insurance: CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up), CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE), CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)
• Vision Insurance: EyeMed
• Employee Life Insurance: Term insurance of up to 2 times salary ($100,000 maximum) for employees at no cost.
• Ability to purchase Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance, Disability Income Insurance, Pension Plan, Normal retirement after 30 years of service or Age 60 and 10 years of service or election to enroll in the Employees Retirement Savings Plan, Deferred Compensation Section 457 Plan, Direct Deposit, Credit Union, Holidays, Annual Leave, Disability Leave, Personal Leave, Leave Sharing, Employee Assistance Program, Free, confidential counseling for employee and family members 4X per year per problem per family member; also counseling on legal and financial issues; assistance in locating childcare and elder care, Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Reimbursement, Health Care Reimbursement, Voluntary Benefits

Pay

The starting minimum salary will increase on July 1, 2026 to: $70,681 annually.

Schedule

The position serves as a court qualified expert witness in the field of firearms and toolmark examination.