Toolmark Comparison Criteria

Class Code: 
E201
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
California Criminalistics Institute / Sacramento
Class Description: 

The one-week (40-hour) course will provide students with an introduction to the concepts and rationale of identifying striated and non-striated impression evidence. Each student will develop a rational, objective basis for making such identifications. This course is intended for criminalists, forensic scientists, or related specialists who have responsibility for comparing and identifying firearm and toolmark evidence. Each class is limited to 12 students. POST Plan IV reimbursement.

Instructor: 
John Murdock, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office & Bruce Moran, Sacramento County DA's Office
Teaching Methods: 
Classroom lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, and practical laboratory exercises. Students should plan to have assigned homework completed during the week.
Objectives: 
Students will be required to complete a series of practical exercises, identify impressions with the tools responsible, and orally explain the related concepts of identification and the rationale for the identification to the satisfaction of the instructors.
Prerequisites: 
Must currently be performing casework in firearms/toolmark identification and be familiar with common equipment and teminology used in that discipline. Completion of Firearms and Toolmarks introduction I and II (E102 and E103) is desirable, but not mandatory.
Preparation: 
Pre-course reading material may be assigned. Students should consider bringing notebook PCs for group presentations.
Tuition: 
No cost to POST supported or State of California based Law Enforcement agencies. A $600.00 tuition fee will be required of all other public agency, private sector, or out-of-state applicants.
Course Contact: 
Mike Giusto (916) 464-5648, (916)464-0600, FAX (916) 464-5818

Schedule of Classes: