Firearms Ballistics Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.2370

Experience

January 1997 to Present
Private Forensic Consulting Services, San Diego, CA

Criminalist / Firearms Criminalist
Duties encompass the scientific analysis and evaluation of firearm and toolmark related evidence.

Microscopic comparisons and identification of bullets, cartridge cases, and toolmarks

Serial number restoration

Firearm operability

Sound suppression devices (silencers)

Conversions of semi-automatic firearms into full-automatic

Performance testing of firearms and ammunition

Gunshot residue patterns

Ejection patterns

Wound ballistics

Trajectory analysis

Distance determinations 

Assault Weapon determinations

Reconstruction of shooting incidents.

June 1999 to December 2006
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Regional Crime Laboratory, San Diego, CA

Criminalist II, Firearms Analysis Unit
Duties encompass the scientific analysis and evaluation of firearm and toolmark related evidence.

Microscopic comparisons and identification of bullets, cartridge cases, and toolmarks

Serial number restoration

Firearm operability

Sound suppression devices (silencers)

Conversions of semi-automatic firearms into full-automatic

Ejection patterns

Wound ballistics

Trajectory analysis

Distance determinations

Gunshot residue

Reconstruction of shooting incidents.

Assault Weapon determinations.

Inspection of firearms, ammunition, and “devices” at area gun shows for compliance with local, state, federal laws

Perform maintenance and quality control checks on instrumentation

Evaluation of firearm related products for Sheriff’s Department use.

Primary trainer for firearm examiners. 

Crime Scene Investigation
Duties encompass the identification, collection and preservation of physical evidence, crime scene documentation, analysis and evaluation of evidence, and shooting event reconstruction.  Primary trainer for crime scene-shooting incident personnel.

April 1982 to July 2002
La Mesa Police Department, Reserve Police Officer, La Mesa, CA

Criminalist
Identification, documentation, collection, and evaluation of firearms related evidence

Reconstruction of firearm incidents for investigative, trial, and training purposes

Instruction on the recognition and handling of firearms evidence at crime scenes

Provide expertise on firearms, ammunition, and ballistic vest performance characteristics to department for evaluation and selection purposes.

April 1982 to December 1994
La Mesa Police Department, Reserve Police Officer, La Mesa, CA

Rangemaster / Assistant Rangemaster / Armorer
Provide instruction in the areas of marksmanship, tactics, weapon’s retention, firearm recognition and operational characteristics.

Design and implement department firearm qualification courses

Document and maintain qualification records

Establish and revise criteria for “alternate service” and “backup” firearms.

Inspect firearms for condition and acceptability

Maintain and repair department firearms.

1980 to December 1996
Accuracy Group, San Diego, CA

Firearms Criminalist
Duties encompass the scientific analysis and evaluation of firearm and toolmark evidence.

Microscopic comparisons and identification of bullets, cartridge cases, and toolmarks

Serial number restoration

Firearm operability

Sound suppression devices (silencers)

Conversions of semi-automatic firearms into full-automatic

Gunshot residue

Ejection patterns

Wound ballistics

Trajectory analysis

Distance determinations

Reconstruction of shooting incidents

Performance testing of firearms and ammunition.

1973 to December 1996
Accuracy Group, San Diego, CA

Master Gunsmith / Gunsmith
Diagnosis and repair of rifles, pistols, shotguns, and special purpose firearms

Design and modify firearms for special applications.

Fabricate, heat treat, and fit internal and external mechanical components

Evaluate condition based on manufacturers’ specifications

Design and fabricate specialized components

Operate and maintain machinery and machine tools

Train and supervise apprentice and journeyman level gunsmiths.

Education

National University, San Diego, CA  1981 - Masters of Science Degree in Forensic Science

San Diego State University, San Diego, CA  1978 - Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology

Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA  1978 – 1979 - Evidence Technology Program

Licenses/Certifications

AFTE Certification: Gunshot Residue Evidence Examination and Identification (2006)

AFTE Certification: Firearm Evidence Examination and Identification (2004)

California Basic Firearms Safety Course Instructor (1994)

California Department of Consumer Affairs Training Instructor: Firearms (1993)

NRA Personal Protection Instructor (1985)

NRA Home Firearm Safety Instructor (1985)

California Community College Teaching Credential: Gunsmithing (1984)

California Peace Officer Standards of Training Firearms Instructor (1984)

NRA Firearms Instructor: Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun (1981)

Publications

Available upon request.

Presentations

San Diego Public Defender: Practical Aspects of Forensic Firearms (2007)
San Diego Sheriff’s Dept: (Co Present) CA Assault Weapon Familiarization Course (2004)
San Diego District Attorney (Co Present): Firearms Evidence for Prosecutors (2004)
Grossmont College (Guest Lecturer):  Criminalistics – Firearms Evidence (2002, 2001, 1997)
San Diego Sheriff’s Dept./P.O.S.T.:  Firearm’s Instructor Course – Wound Ballistics (2002, 2001, 2000)
U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Critical Incident Invest. Team – Wound Ballistics (2001)
National University (Guest Lecturer):  Firearms Evidence (2000, 1996, 1996)
San Diego Co. Defense Bar Asso.: Scene Reconstruction by Gunshot Residue & Ejection Patterns (1999)
San Diego Public Defender: Firearms Evidence (1997)
San Diego County Investigators Association: Firearms Evidence (1994)
CA District Atty Investigators Training Conf.: CA Assault Weapon Identification (1993)
San Diego Public Defender: Firearms Evidence (1992)
American Society of Industrial Security-San Diego Chapter: Firearms Evidence (1991)
San Diego Alternate Public Defender: Firearms Evidence & It’s Significance (1991)
San Diego Public Defender: Firearms Evidence (1989)
Chula Vista Police Dept.: Clandestine Firearms  (1989)
El Cajon Police Dept.: Use and Maintenance of Department Authorized Firearms (1988)
Defenders Program of San Diego: Firearms, Ballistics and Forensic Considerations (1984)

Recognitions

“Letter of Commendation”,  San Diego Co. Sheriff’s Dept. (2006)

 “Recognition of Outstanding Assistance to an Investigation”, Federal Bureau Invest. (2002)

“Academy of Excellence”, Shooting Industry Magazine (Annually 1987 to 1996)

“American Handgunner Club 100”, American Handgunner Magazine (Annually 1987 to 1997)

“Reserve Police Officer of the Year”, La Mesa Police Dept. (1984 - 1985)

Specialized Training/Continuing Education

AFTE (Vasquez) – Full Auto Conversions (2007)
AFTE Training Seminar (2007, ‘06, ‘04, ‘02, ‘01, ‘00, ‘99, ‘98, ‘95, ‘94, ‘92, ‘91)
Smith & Wesson Firearms – Manufacturing facility tour (2006)
AFTE (Offringa) – Investigation of Firearms Markings (2006)
Savage Arms – Manufacturing facility tour (2006)
California Peace Officer’s Association - Officer Involved Shooting. (2006)
Beretta Firearms Museum, Gardone Val Trompia, Italy  - Private tour (2005)
Forensic Science Services (Haag, Haag) – Forensic Shooting Scene Reconstruction (2004)
AFTE (Deeb) – Hi-Point Armourer’s Course (2004)
AFTE (Caunt) – 1911 Armourer’s Course (2004)
Forensic Training & Consulting, LLC (Hueske) – Gunpowder & Primer Residues (2003)
Anthony Paul – Gunshot Residue Examination and Distance Determination (2003)
AFTE (Haag, Haag) – Ricochet Analysis Workshop (2002)
AFTE (VJ Di Maio) – Wound Ballistics Workshop (2002)
AFTE (McDonald, Haag, Nenstiel, Almgren, Lattig) – Exterior Ballistics and Long Range Trajectory Workshop (2001)
Savage Arms Armorers Course – Tactical Rifle (2001)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms/Forensic Technology – NIBIN/IBIS (2001)
SCFSG – Assault Weapon Legislation /Interpretation (2001)
AAFS Training Seminar (2001)
La Mesa Police Department – Basic Less-Lethal Weapons Course (2000)
Glock Armorers Course – Glock Safe Action Pistols (2000)
Browning Arms – North American Repair Facility and Distribution Ctr tour (2000)
Sacramento Sheriff Crime Lab (Rynearson/Chisum) – Crime Scene Invest.& Reconst. (1999)
California Criminalistics Institute – Serial Number Restoration  (1999)
Federal Bureau of Investigation - NIBIN/DRUGFIRE & APMS  (1999)
California Criminalistics Institute - Toolmark Comparison Criteria (1998)
CAC (Wiersema) - Impression Evidence Workshop (1998)
CA State University Fullerton Extended Education - Trace Evidence Analysis (1998)
SCFSG (LaFrance)- Design and Function of Firearm Silencers (1998)
CAC Training Seminar (1998, 1984, 1983, 1982)
California Criminalistics Institute - Glass Examination and Comparison (1997)
Libbey Owens Ford - Glass manufacturing facility tour  (1997)
California Criminalistics Institute - Pathology of Wounds (1997)
AAFS – Contemporary Issues In Forensic Firearms Identification (1997)
International Wound Ballistics Conference - (1997)
Heckler & Koch Armorers Course - USP Pistol  (1995)
Savage Arms Armorers Course - 110 Series Rifle  (1995)     
Calico Light Weapon Systems - Manufacturing facility tour  (1995)
Forensic Ballistics Workshop - US Army Yuma Proving Grounds  (1994, 1993)
Colt Manufacturing Co. - Armorers Course - Model O Pistol, AR15/M16 (1994)
International Wound Ballistics Conference (1994)
CA Dept. of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services - Assault Weapons Seminar II (1993)
Sturm Ruger - Manufacturing facility (Prescott, AZ) (1993)
Serial Number Restoration - San Diego Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory (1993)
Federal Cartridge - Manufacturing facility tour:  Shotshell, Centerfire, Rimfire  (1993)
Beretta Armorers Course - 92F Pistols (1992)
Colt Manufacturing Co. Armorers Course - All American 2000 (1992)
Remington Armorers Course - 870 Shotgun (1991)
Officer Involved Shootings - San Diego District Attorney Investigators Asso. (1990)
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Specialized Techniques In Firearms Identification (1989)
International Armament Corporation - Walther Pistol Armorers Course (1989)
SCFSG - Laser Trajectory Photography (1989)
Sedco Industries - Manufacturing facility tour (1989)
Heckler & Koch Armorers Course - P7, MP5, Benelli M1 Super 90 (1988)
Glock Armorers Course - Glock 17 (1988)
Glock Instructor Workshop - Peregrine Corporation (1988)
Sturm Ruger Armorers Course - GP100, P85, Mini 14 GB (1988)
Smith & Wesson Armorers Course - Pistols (1986)
Sig-Sauer Armorers Course - P226 (1986)
Semi-Automatic Pistol Class - San Diego Police Dept. (1986)
Glock Armorers Course – Glock 17 (1986)
Sturm Ruger Armorers Course - Security Six, Redhawk, Mini 14, GB, AC556 (1984)
Sturm Ruger - Manufacturing facility tour (Newport, New Hampshire) (1984)
Firearms Instructor Course - San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Training Ctr (1984)
Pine Tree Casting - Manufacturing facility tour (1984)
Smith & Wesson Armorers Course - Revolvers (1984)
Detonics Firearms Armorers Course - Combat Master, Scoremaster, Pocket 9 (1984)
Detonics Firearms - Manufacturing facility tour (1984)
Street Survival Seminar – Calibre Press (1983)
SCFSG (LaFrance) - Automatic and Silenced Weapons (1983)
Safariland Ballistics - Body armor manufacturing and testing facility tour (1982)
CAC Study Group - Trace evidence transfer on fired bullets (1982)
San Diego Police Dept. Criminalistics Laboratory - Laboratory Internship  (1980)

Other Training

Riverside Co. Sheriff’s Dept – Booby Traps and Explosives. (2005)
San Diego Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory (Do) – Latent Print Development Techniques (2004)
San Diego District Attorney Office – Legal Issues for Forensic Science Professionals (2004)
San Diego Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory (Durina, Wright) – Recovery of Fingerprints (2003)
Center for Domestic Preparedness – WMD Technical Emergency Response Course (2003)
San Diego Sheriff’s Dept. - Evidentiary Exam & Case Review of the Rape Homicide (2001)
AAFS (Mills/Moenssens) - Ethical Problems Facing the Expert Witness Workshop (2001)
Noslow Forensic Specialities (Wolson) – Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (2000)
San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute - Driving Under the Influence (1998)
San Diego Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory - Alcohol Correlation Studies (1998, 1997)
Advanced Reserve Officer Training - Annual Reserve Training Conference (1988)
Reserve III Academy - San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Training Center (1982)
Machinist’s Apprenticeship - (1973, 1972)

Professional Affiliations

American Academy of Forensic Sciences  (AAFS)
Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners  (AFTE)
California Association of Criminalists  (CAC)
International Wound Ballistics Association  (IWBA) (Past)
International Association for Identification  (IAI) (Past)
National Rifle Association of America  (NRA)
Southern California Firearms Study Group  (SCFSG)

Qualified Expert Witness

United States Federal Court
United States Military Court Martial: Navy, Marine Corps
United States Federal Administrative Hearing:  INS
California:  Superior & Municipal Courts
Grand Jury:  San Diego County