Course Catalog

During this course, students will examine marks produced by various firearms on cartridges, cartridge cases, shotshells and fired shotshells. Striated and impressed marks from both cycling and firing a firearm will be examined and their probative value will be discussed. Although the class focuses on the marks routinely encountered in casework (breechface marks, firing pin impressions, chamber marks, ejection port marks, extractor marks, ejector marks and magazine marks), many less common marks will also be examined and compared. The firearms used to produce many of the exemplars will be available for students to examine. The evaluation of class, individual, and potential subclass characteristics will be addressed, and options for the wording of casework reports will be discussed.

Nancy McCombs

This 5-Day class focuses on toolmarks transferred onto bullets by the barrels of firearms. Students will become familiar with examining the general rifling characteristics (GRC) of bullets in no gun cases in order to determine true caliber, nominal caliber and caliber designation. During the class, a GRC database will frequently be accessed in order to generate lists of possible firearms. Students will examine and compare bullets of various design in an attempt to find corresponding individual agreement. In addition, shotshell components will be examined to determine caliber and shot size. Bullets fired from consecutively manufactured barrels and several barrel casts will be available for evaluation of potential subclass characteristic carryover. Various options for the wording of casework reports will be discussed.

Nancy McCombs

Forensic testimony presents unique challenges. In today’s judicial system, laboratory professionals are expected to communicate objective findings clearly, without ambiguity, bias, or overstatement. This course is designed to equip participants with practical communication skills that enhance courtroom testimony and extend into broader professional settings. Participants will develop structured strategies to translate technical laboratory procedures and results into language that is accessible to diverse audiences, particularly those without a scientific background. Emphasis is placed on delivering information in a way that not only informs, but effectively connects with individuals who process information differently. Through guided instruction and scenario-based exercises, participants will refine their verbal delivery, strengthen professional presence, and develop the ability to adapt under pressure while communicating with clarity and confidence.

Deion Christophe

This 2-hour course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of reloading ammunition. Students will learn the components of a cartridge, including the case, primer, powder, and projectile(s), and how each part contributes to overall function and performance. The course covers the steps of the reloading process, common equipment, and safety considerations. By the end, students will have a foundational understanding of how ammunition is assembled and how variations in components can affect performance and forensic evidence.

Samantha Houle

This 2-hour course explores the history of gunpowder, from its early discovery to the development of modern ammunition. Students will examine the evolution of weapons—from early siege engines and hand cannons to matchlocks, flintlocks, and modern cartridge systems—while building an understanding of the science behind black powder and its production. By following these design changes over time, students will gain a deeper understanding of why firearms and ammunition function the way they do today—and how these developments continue to influence modern firearms.

Samantha Houle

To conduct a forensic examination that stands up to courtroom scrutiny, examiners must first master the origin of the marks they analyze. This 2-hour course provides a comprehensive foundation in manufacturing methods, enabling students to accurately interpret the significance of each mark. The student will also be able to distinguish individual characteristics from subclass carryover, and learn how to navigate these complex examinations. By evaluating the evidentiary weight of specific marks and learning the value of cumulative marks, the student will develop the skills necessary to produce and record findings that are both scientifically sound and defensible in the courtroom. After taking this course the student will find themselves better prepared and confident with the notes and report they produce.

Joseph Vandenburgh

Regardless of which laboratory you choose to work in, you will inevitably need to navigate an established quality assurance program. With the kind of work we encounter in the field of forensics, it is also inevitable that ethical questions will arise. This 2-hour course will prepare you for operating inside of a quality assurance system and prepare you for how to navigate ethical considerations in your work. Topics covered in this course include: • Purpose and Benefits of a Quality Assurance Program • Quality Control • Ensuring Quality in your Forensics Work • Navigating Improvements & Changes • Ethical Considerations in Forensic Science • Real-life Examples & Class Discussion

Laura Molyneux

The toolmarks left on the cartridge cases and bullets give us varying information regarding the types of tools used during the manufacture of a firearm. In this 2-hour class, we’ll explore how and why we can use specific toolmarks left on cartridge cases and bullets in our same source identification conclusions. Topics covered in this course include: • Common Manufacturing & Finishing Processes • Identifying these processes on fired components • Which Toolmarks to use in our Conclusions and Why • Re-loading and Re-loading marks • Best Practices • Useful Resources

Laura Molyneux

Testifying can be a daunting experience for many examiners, both new and experienced. This 2-hour class will prepare you for testimony regarding casework in forensic firearms analyses. Topics covered in this course include: • Expectations of an expert witness • Voir Dire • Communicating to a Jury • Bias • Attorney Tactics • Cross Examination • Court Evaluations • Group Discussions and Q&A.

Laura Molyneux

This 4-hour online course provides a foundational understanding of how modern firearm operating systems function. Designed for forensic firearm examiners seeking a deeper, systems based understanding of firearm operation as it relates to evidence interpretation and laboratory analysis. The course focuses on the mechanical function of firearm operating systems and how these mechanisms influence the generation of class and individual characteristics observed in casework. Participants will review and compare major operating systems including bolt-action, blowback, recoil-operated, and gas-operated designs with emphasis on how each system affects the cycle of operation and corresponding toolmark production. The course connects mechanical operation with forensic application, highlighting how operating system design can impact firing pin impressions, breechface marks, extractor/ejector marks, and various other marks. Key topics include: - Detailed cycle of operation and timing across firearm platforms - Mechanical sources of class vs. individual characteristics - Influence of operating systems on toolmark formation - Manual and automatic systems - Considerations for function testing and laboratory documentation The course uses diagrams, animations, and case-based examples to connect mechanical function with observed forensic evidence. By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to relate firearm operating mechanisms to toolmark evidence as well as strengthen their ability to conduct examinations, interpret findings, and articulate conclusions in reports and testimony.

Alex Luby