Updated:06/07/2007

Mission :

The mission of the National Firearms Examiner Academy is to provide training for apprentice/entry level firearm and toolmark examiners from Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The curriculum is composed of the fundamentals of firearms and toolmark examinations and will serve as the basis for the trainee, under supervision, to develop into a qualified firearm and toolmark examiner.

Curriculum:

The Academy curriculum is comprised of four phases of instruction.

Phase I – A 4-month period during which the student completes and timely submits a series of pre-course assignments prior to reporting to the Academy.

Phase II – A 15-week instructional session at ATF’s Forensic Science Laboratory - Washington in Ammendale, Maryland. This session is very content-intensive and in order for the student to self-develop there can be an expectation of study and research during many evenings and weekends. To see an overview of the Phase II training modules click on this link Phase II training modules.

Phase III– A four-month period in which the student returns to their own agency laboratory. During this period the student will complete a research project which has been pre-approved by Academy instructors and the student’s supervisor at their agency’s laboratory. The student will also complete simulated firearms and toolmark cases provided by Academy instructors. These will be presented in a courtroom scenario in Phase IV.

Phase IV – A two-week follow-up school in the Washington, D.C. area which guides the student in preparation for the presentation of expert testimony. This will also include pretrial conferences and the preparation of exhibits. Students will also present their research projects that were completed during Phase III.

Requirements:

Academy applicants must meet the following requirements:

- Applicant must be considered apprentice/entry-level and assigned full time to the position of firearm and toolmark examiner trainee in a laboratory where there is at least one qualified firearm/toolmark examiner. A qualified firearm/toolmark examiner is a person who independently examines physical evidence related to firearms and toolmarks, renders independent opinions as to their findings and presents them in court as an expert witness.

- Applicant must be assigned on a full time basis to a law enforcement forensic laboratory equipped to facilitate the examinations and services, which comprise the primary duties of a firearm, and toolmark examiner as outlined above.

- Applicant must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution with major course work in physical science, natural science, forensic science, criminalistics, criminal justice, police science, industrial technology, engineering or related field.

Costs and Expenses:

ATF does not charge State and local agencies for the training provided to students at the NFEA, however, the student’s home laboratory / agency will be responsible for the following expenses:

Travel to and from the student’s residence to the NFEA for Phases II and IV.

Any per diem or subsistence amount payable to the student while at the NFEA for Phases II and IV.

Prospective students and their home agencies should be aware that they may be eligible for grants to cover these expenses through the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Agencies may apply to NIJ for funding assistance through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. More information regarding the Coverdell grant program is available through NIJ’s website here: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm

How to Apply:

In order to be considered for selection applicants must submit the following documentation:

Completed ATF Form 6330.1 “Application for National Firearms Examiner Academy” available here. Please ensure that both you and your immediate supervisor sign the application in the appropriate boxes.

A letter signed by your Laboratory Director / Chief, on agency letterhead, certifying that you have successfully completed your agency’s background investigation process.

Mail the original completed documents to:
National Firearms Examiner Academy
National Laboratory Center
6000 Ammendale Road
Ammendale , MD 20705-1250

Application for National Firearms Examiner Academy

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