Considering A Career In Forensic Ballistics?

If you are seeking a career in forensic ballistics you are obviously keen on forensics itself and firearms. This fascinating division of forensics was probably first used in Court to lead to a conviction in London in 1835. Since that time, this science has surely become far more complicated.

Forensic ballistics involves the collection, identification, classification and analysis of all evidence concerning firearms in criminal investigations. This may involve distinguishing tool marks (or breech marks) which can be transferred from the weapon to a fired bullet and bullet fragments along with the trajectory of the bullets fired. Other areas include gun powder residue analysis, finger prints, fibres and blood linked to the weapon or bullets. As with most areas of forensic science, ballistics works closely with all departments such as law enforcement agencies.

The firearm itself need not be located to obtain a match, and indeed, this match does not always demand a lot of effort on the part of the forensic ballistics expert. The FBI and the specialist Firearms-Toolmarks Unit, maintain a fully integrated national database generally known as ‘Drugfire’. When information is put into the database, it will seek a match with other information and flag this up to the user.

If you're considering a career in forensic ballistics and expecting a top pay check, no way! Once you leave college, and depending on any past experience you might have, you could expect an average of between 22000 to 35000 dollars in the US. Increments tend to be paid every half year or so depending on how you progress. The salary is low as you will still be in training for at least a couple of years after you start, so don’t expect to be heavily associated with anything too serious initially.

Your on-going training involves a whole lot of further reading on all relevant facets of law such as identifying firearms, wound analysis, different ammunition etc. You will also need to attend seminars and courses to ensure you are familiar with the way to handle evidence, the best way to safety assemble and disassemble firearms and microscope techniques. You will end up amply trained in how guns and ammunition are produced, how to give expert testimony in court and also attend many more lectures and seminars - just like being back college! As with any forensics career, learning is dynamic as new strategies and machinery is continually evolving.

A career in forensic ballistics is simply that, a career for life. If you're a bit uncertain, think carefully before you go down this road as it is a long one. It will be your job to thoroughly investigate evidence and try and keep a pace ahead, and when required, to present clear and explicate evidence in the court.