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Firearms Examiner Training. Dillon JH, Jr. 2013. Firearms Examiner…
Firearms Examiner Training. Dillon JH, Jr. 2013. Firearms Examiner Training. [Accessed 27 April 2020] from https://firearms-examiner.training.nij.gov/module15/
Module 15: Safety
I. Biohazards
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B. Biohazard Evidence
- Body fluids and other human tissue found on firearms evidence pose health concerns to investigators and crime scene technicians in shooting cases.
- This most often relates to evidence present in or on blood-soaked or stained clothing, bedclothes, furniture, vehicle upholstery, or other items submitted for gunshot residue analysis and muzzle-to-target distance determinations.
- In addition to being dry and appropriately packaged before transfer to the laboratory, evidence containing blood or any body fluid should have biohazard warning labels affixed to the evidence containers to indicate that a potentially infectious material may be present.
C. When handling biohazardous material in the courtroom, protective gloves should be worn.
- Care should be taken when handling evidence to prevent dislodging of biohazardous material in the courtroom.
- Fired bullets offered as evidence in court should be regarded as potential biohazards unless they are known to have been disinfected during examination. However, it is always good practice to use gloves when handling the actual items in court.
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III. Firearms
A. General Guidelines
- NRA advocates three fundamental safety rules
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h. Be aware that certain types of firearms and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.
IV. At the Crime Scene
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B. Firearms
- Firearms collected during a crime scene search should be unloaded and made safe according to laboratory protocols.
- Unloaded ammunition should be packaged separately, marked, and identified as to the firearm from which it was removed.
C. Fired Bullets
- Fired bullets are frequently found in two locations
a. At crime scenes, by crime scene technicians
b. In bodies after shooting incidents, by medical examiners during autopsies
V. Unfired Ammunition
A. Hand carrying unfired evidence ammunition to the laboratory is the safest and most convenient method of delivery.
B. If the delivery to the laboratory requires the shipping of evidence, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will not ship unfired ammunition.
C. Unfired ammunition must be shipped by private carriers such as United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (FedEx/Kinkos), among others.
D. To comply with United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, each private carrier has specific hazardous material packaging, labeling, and invoice requirements.
E. It is the responsibility of the agency to ensure that evidence is shipped correctly, while complying with both the government and the shippers current safety regulations.
VI. In the Laboratory
A. The rules which follow constitute an additional layer of precautions that must be observed when examining firearms in the laboratory:
- Be aware of all safety policies and procedures of the laboratory and their implementation.
- Examiners are responsible for their own safety and that of others in the working environment.
- Every firearm should be treated and handled as if it were loaded until it has been checked by an examiner.
- When unpacking and inventorying a new firearm evidence submission, it should be assumed that the firearm is loaded. Open the action and ensure that the firearm is in a safe condition and unloaded. Follow the procedure for the particular laboratory regarding the receipt of loaded firearms.
- Any submitted firearm that cannot be readily cleared due to rust or damage should be taken to the range to be cleared.
- Always ensure that the action of a firearm is open when receiving or giving a firearm to anyone.
- Never place unfired ammunition in a firearm at the laboratory bench. If necessary to check the feed mechanism of a firearm, use dummy cartridges.
VII. At the Firing Range
A. The rules which follow constitute an additional layer of precautions that must be observed when at a firing range, and in particular at the forensic firing range:
- Do not smoke, drink, or eat in any sort of firing facility.
- Wear ear and eye protection when firing.
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- Use ventilation systems to remove airborne particulate when firing indoors.
- If unfamiliar with a firearm, ask for advice.
- Be certain that the range backstop and other range surfaces are more than adequate to stop fired bullets.
- When not firing keep the firearm unloaded with the action open and magazine removed.
- Always point the muzzle of a firearm downrange.
- Be certain there is no obstruction in the barrel of a firearm before loading.
- At an outdoor range, never allow the muzzle of a firearm to touch the ground to avoid barrel obstructions.
- Be certain you use ammunition compatible with the evidence firearm.
- If there is any doubt as to the safe condition of a firearm, use a mount or stand for the firearm and arrange to discharge it remotely from a shielded and protected area.
- In the event a firearm was fired during a crime using improper ammunition, use a mount or stand to test fire the firearm remotely from a shielded and protected location.
- Advise others present when you prepare to fire.
- Listen to and comply with range commands if firing in a group.
- In case of a misfire, keep the firearm pointed downrange for at least ten seconds before opening the action.
- Never fire a succeeding shot after a malfunction without first unloading and checking the barrel for an obstruction.
- After firing, be certain to immediately clear a firearm, open the action, and remove any magazine.
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X. In the Courtroom
A. Immediately upon receiving a firearm in court, it must be checked to ensure that it is in a safe condition by
1, Removing the magazine if it has been re-inserted
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- Checking the chamber visually and manually to ensure it is clear
XI. Toolmarks
A. Toolmark evidence will generally include a tool (a harder object) which has marked a softer object, leaving class, individual, and possibly subclass characteristics. If the tool is edged or pointed, it may be a safety concern and should be handled with care.
B. If a tool is contaminated with biological material it should be treated as a biohazard with appropriate precautions. At the crime scene these items should be preserved in leak-proof, puncture-resistant sealed containers.
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XIII. Safety Training
A. For the protection of laboratory personnel and the laboratory, new examiners as well as current employees are provided with safety information and training per laboratory protocol that may include the following:
- Published safety rules distributed to all personnel
- Posting of all safety rules in all firearms-related areas of the laboratory
- Firearms-related safety training
- General forensic training (e.g., biohazards, chemical)
- General first aid procedures
- Safe use of power tools and hand tools
- Use of laboratory equipment
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X. Physical Plant
A. Forensic laboratories as well as the firearm examination areas within the laboratory and/or firing facility require special safety considerations, including
a. Decontamination supplies, per laboratory protocol, include the following:
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ii. Cotton swabs, detergent, and a sonic cleaner for removal of blood and other tissue
a. Firing and bullet recovery facilities where lead can be accumulated require specialized prevention measures per laboratory protocol and may include the following:
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ii. Decontamination of lead on walls, ceilings, and floors of firing areas
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iv. Provision for containment of the migration of lead and other heavy metals (e.g., tacky mats)
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a. Due to the health issues associated with lead, other heavy metals, and chemicals, provisions should be made to monitor and prevent ventilation hazards, per laboratory protocol, and may include
i. exhaust ventilation of all firing spaces per standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
ii. annual airflow testing,
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a. The interiors of firing spaces, such as ranges and bullet recovery spaces, should be soundproofed to minimize noise levels and vibration. This is a particular concern in physical plants in which firing spaces are in close proximity to other examination spaces and/or delicate instrumentation (e.g., scanning electron microscopes, instrumental chemistry laboratory spaces).
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