E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program

Gunshot Residue Distance Determination

Class Code: 
E440
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
California Criminalistics Institute / Various
Class Description: 

Class being developed

Instructor: 
Phil Hess, Mike Giusto
Tuition: 

Detection and Recovery of Footwear and Tire Impressions

Class Code: 
E140
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
Various
Class Description: 

This three-day (24-hour) class is designed for crime scene technicians, investigators and others who do or will utilize recovery techniques for footwear and tire impression evidence. The course provides extensive information, and hands-on practical exercises, to convey why footwear and tire impression evidence is important evidence, how to recover it properly, how impression evidence can assist an investigation, and the type of examination results that can be expected. This course will include how to document, photograph and cast impressions, the use of electrostatic and other lifting methods, and the latest methods and formulations for chemically enhancing and processing impressions. Numerous other related topics are covered; including shoe sizing, contusion impressions, footwear and tire databases, and barefoot impressions. Case histories will be used to demonstrate the application of the topics covered in class. 

Instructor: 
Lesley Hammer/Hammer Forensics
Teaching Methods: 
Lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, critiques, discussions
Objectives: 
To understand why and how footwear and tire track impression evidence is detected and recovered.
Prerequisites: 
This class is designed for crime scene technicians, criminal investigators and others who need to improve their understanding of and recovery techniques for footwear and tire impression evidence.
Tuition: 
No cost to POST supported or State of California based Law Enforcement agencies. A $360.00 tuition fee will be required of all other public agency, private sector, or out-of-state applicants.
Course Contact: 
Neda Khoshkebari (916) 464-5599, (916)464-0600
More Information: 

Ammunition Reloading - Forensic Identification Issues

Class Code: 
E451
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
Various
Class Description: 

A three-day (24-hour) course teaching forensic identification issues related to reloaded ammunition. This class is for the experienced/journey level firearm-toolmark examiner. Each class is limited to 12 students.

Instructor: 
Mike Giusto, BFS
Teaching Methods: 
A blend of lecture, class discussion, individual exercises, and factory tours.
Objectives: 
Objectives: • Recognize reloaded and remanufactured cartridges • Assess uniqueness of toolmarks produced by reloading tools • Assess uniqueness of toolmarks produced by bullet molds
Preparation: 
This class is for the experienced/journey level firearm-toolmark examiner. Pre-course reading materials may be assigned.
Tuition: 
No cost to POST-supported or State of California based law enforcement agencies. A $360.00 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

Firearms and Toolmark Examiners Academy

Class Code: 
E600
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
California Criminalistics Institute / Rancho Cordova
Class Description: 

This Academy provides the core of the training needed for typical firearms and toolmark examinations, such as determination of possible weapons in no-gun cases, evidence weapon examinations for function and safety, and bullet and cartridge-case comparisons. This program includes an introduction to the Consecutive Matching Stria model of toolmark identification and instruction in expert courtroom testimony. The Academy curriculum includes: A120 - Technical Writing for Criminalists, E101 - Firearms Safety in a Laboratory Environment, (E101 is a prerequisite for the remainder of the classes); E102 - Firearms & Toolmarks Introduction I; E103 - Firearms & Toolmarks Introduction II; E105 - Digital Imaging, Documentation, Note Taking and Reporting; E201 - Toolmark Criteria for Identification; E111 - Serial Number Restoration; E420 - Special Topics Firearms Function & Design; E425 - Firearms Factory Tours (Open to Firearms Academy Students Only), and A103 - Courtroom Presentation of Evidence.

Instructor: 
CCI and BFS instructors and various
Teaching Methods: 
The curriculum includes formal courses and supervised laboratory training. Students come to CCI or go to other locations for modules of one or more classes. Between modules, students return to their home laboratories to complete assigned reading, practical exercises, and projects. Each home laboratory must assign the student an experienced examiner as a mentor to guide and evaluate student work. Competency testing is the responsibility of the home laboratory and is not included in the Academy.
Objectives: 
Courses and activities within the Firearms Academy should provide half to two-thirds of a typical training program. Students will be expected to continue training within their laboratories before taking on casework independently. Individual laboratories will assume responsibility for final training, and competency and proficiency testing.
Prerequisites: 
Applicants must be employed as Firearm and Toolmark Examiners or trainees in a government forensics laboratory with an available, experienced firearm and toolmark examiner who will serve as mentor and will be able to supervise the final stages of training.
Preparation: 
Pre-course reading material and activity package for several of the classes.
Materials Fee: 
None.
Course Contact: 
CCI (916) 464-0600, FAX (916) 464-5818
More Information: 

Latent Print Photography

Class Code: 
E252
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
California Criminalistics Institute / Sacramento
Class Description: 

TBD

Course Contact: 
CCI (916) 464-0600, FAX (916) 464-5818

Special Topics - Armorer School - Rem 870 Shotguns

Class Code: 
E427
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
California Criminalistics Institute / Sacramento
Class Description: 

Currently in Development. For more information please contact our office, phone: (916) 464-0600 fax: (916) 464-5818

Prerequisites: 
Enrollment in Firearms Academy
Course Contact: 
CCI (916) 464-0600, FAX (916) 464-5818

Special Topics - Armorer School - AK Series Rifles

Class Code: 
E426
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
Various
Class Description: 

Currently in Development.

Prerequisites: 
Enrollment in Firearms Academy
Course Contact: 
Mike Giusto (916) 464-5648, (916)464-0600, FAX (916) 464-5818
More Information: 

Firearms Factory Tours Extension

Class Code: 
E425a
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
Various
Class Description: 

This supplements the approximately twelve day long journey which provides tours of a series of firearms related manufactories in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Students observe current manufacturing processes. Emphasis is placed on processes that create forensically significant tool surfaces. A maximum of twelve students can be accommodated. THIS CLASS IS AVAILABLE FOR BFS FIREARMS ACADEMY STUDENTS ONLY. Not POST Certified at this time.

Instructor: 
Mike Giusto & Torrey Johnson, California Criminalistics Institute
Teaching Methods: 
Tours, documentation with notes and photography, discussion, and preparation of a presentation of findings.
Objectives: 
Students will learn some currently used manufacturing methods of forensically significant tool surfaces. Students will be able to determine the uniqueness of various manufactured surfaces.
Prerequisites: 
Enrolled in E600 BFS Fireams Academy
Preparation: 
Prereading or research projects may be assigned
Course Contact: 
Mike Giusto (916) 464-5648, (916)464-0600, FAX (916) 464-5818
More Information: 

Special Topics - Armorer School - Colt 45 Series Pistols

Class Code: 
E424
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
California Criminalistics Institute / Rancho Cordova
Class Description: 

Currently in Development.

Instructor: 
Dick Clark, CHP Gunsmith, retired
Prerequisites: 
Enrollment in Firearms Academy
Course Contact: 
Mike Giusto (916) 464-5648, (916)464-0600, FAX (916) 464-5818

Special Topics - Armorer School - Sig Pistols

Class Code: 
E423
Subject Area: 
E - Firearms and Impression Evidence Program
Class Location: 
California Criminalistics Institute/ Rancho Cordova
Class Description: 

Currently in Development. For more information please contact our office, phone: (916) 464-0600 fax: (916) 464-5818

Prerequisites: 
Enrollment in Firearms Academy
Course Contact: 
Mike Giusto (916) 464-5648, (916)464-0600, FAX (916) 464-5818