Expert Witness No.2370 

Experience
 
January 1997 to Present Forensic 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
• Firearm failure analysis
• Reconstruction of shooting incidents

October 1997 to May 1999:  Contract Laboratory for San Diego Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory.

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 firearm 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 / Accuracy Gun Shop
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 / Accuracy Gun Shop
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

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

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

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

Licenses/Certifications

• Civilian Marksmanship Program: JROTC Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor (2008)
• AFTE Certification: Gunshot Residue Evidence Examination and Identification (2006)
• AFTE Certification: Firearm Evidence Examination and Identification (2004, 2009)
• 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 Peace Officer Standards of Training Firearms Instructor (1984)
• California Community College Teaching Credential: Gunsmithing (1981)
• NRA Firearms Instructor: Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun (1981)

Publications
 
Available Upon Request

Presentations

Available Upon Request
 
Recognitions

• "Distinguished Member",  Association of Firearm & Toolmark Examiners (2010)
• "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 (Continuous 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

Available Upon Request

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)
• Police Officer Reserve III Academy - San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Training Ctr (1982)
• Machinist’s Apprenticeship - (1973, 1972)

Professional Affiliations

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences  (AAFS)
• American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET) (Past)
• Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE)
• Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction (ACSR)
• 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
• United States Federal Grand Jury
• California: Superior & Municipal Courts
• San Diego: County Grand Jury

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Spring 2011 Newsletter

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Reprinted with permission from Author 800-683-9847 

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