Forensic Firearms & Toolmarks Certificate
Program Website: https://www.towson.edu/fcsm/departments/chemistry/grad/forensic-firearms-toolmark-analysis-certificate/
Program Director: Mark Profili
Phone: 410-704-2668
Email: mprofili@towson.edu
The Forensic Firearms and Toolmark Analysis Graduate Certificate Program is a laboratory-intensive program focused on analytical competency, scientific report writing and expert testimony. The certificate is created in conjunction with the Baltimore Police Division of Forensic Science with some instruction taking place at the Baltimore Police firearms lab. The program is designed to meet the needs of crime labs to hire firearms and toolmarks examiners. Internships, capstone projects and/or research enhance students' prospects of being hired as firearms and toolmark examiners.
The Forensic Firearms and Toolmarks Graduate Certificate Program is a training resource for Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) students who desire a career as a forensic firearm and toolmark analyst. It will prepare entry-level employee trainees as bench-ready analysts in the area of microscopic comparisons of firearm and toolmark related evidence.
The certificate is embedded in the MSFS program and will require students to complete the following courses as well as others required for the MSFS degree:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| FRSC 600 | FORENSIC SCIENCE AND LAW | 3 |
| FRSC 604 | CRIME SCENE AND IMPRESSION EVIDENCE | 3 |
| FRSC 605 | FORENSIC FIREARMS ANALYSIS | 3 |
| FRSC 607 | FORENSIC FIREARMS ANALYSIS II | 3 |
| Total Units | 12 | |
- Competent in comparison microscopic examination of unknown spent cartridge cases and bullets to known standards, comparison microscopic and physical examination of toolmarks and chemical and physical restoration of obliterated serial numbers on evidence commonly associated with criminal activity.
- Write scientific reports and provide expert testimony of analysis results.