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Ballistics Expert: Education and Career Information
A ballistics expert, or ballistics analyst, is a forensic scientist who works for the criminal justice system on cases
involving ammunition. By examining explosives, bullet fragments, gunshot wounds and bullet holes, they attempt
to determine what types of weapons were used and the way in which they were fired.
The basic duties of forensic scientists and technicians include cataloging crime scene evidence, testing evidence
samples and writing crime scene investigation reports based on the gathered data. Ballistics experts usually work
for local, state or federal law enforcement agencies. Some may work for forensic laboratories or private research
facilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nine out of ten forensic scientists work for crime labs,
police departments, medical examiner's offices or morgues. Ballistics experts may also teach forensic students
about firearms-analysis, according to the AAFS.
Ballistics analysts need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in forensic science or a related area with additional
training in ammunition. The following table indicates basic career qualifications for people who want to become
ballistics experts:

Common Requirements
Degree Level Bachelor's degree*
Degree Field Forensic science,* biology, molecular biology, chemistry or physics**
Experience
3 years' experience working as a forensic apprentice specializing in firearms
analysis*
Key Skills
Communication, problem-solving and judgment skills; eye for detail; report
writing skills;* ability to prioritize evidence and follow laboratory procedures;
advanced knowledge of firearms**
Computer Skills
Knowledge of computerized forensic databases and familiarity with
document creation software programs*
Technical Skills Laboratory equipment, crime scene investigation tools**
Additional Requirements Comfortable working both indoors and out, willing to travel to crime scenes*
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Most undergraduate forensic science degree programs are structured around chemistry, biology or physics. Some
programs include training within all of these areas, whereas others may focus predominantly on only one field.
Ballistics experts require an understanding of physics in order to determine how objects move and interact with
other objects as well as a background in chemistry (to identify chemical residues associated with firearms
examinations). To figure out trajectory angles and bullet speed, they also need a thorough understanding of
mathematics. Since bullets often pass through victims, ballistics experts need to have some knowledge of biology
or human anatomy.
Forensic science students also complete coursework related to criminal justice. They study fingerprint analysis,
laboratory instrumentation usage, forensic toxicology, investigation procedures, evidence collection, arson,
criminal court systems and crime scene documentation. Most programs require students to complete internships at
forensic laboratories and to attend active crime scenes.
Success Tip:
Obtain an internship that includes ballistics training. Some schools offer internships that provide access to
ballistics labs in which students can gain hands-on experience examining evidence related to explosives and
firearms.
Step 2: Become a Forensic Apprentice
According to the BLS, newly graduated forensic science students are often hired as apprentices under experienced
forensic specialists. As apprentices, students gain on-site training in evidence collection and documentation and
other procedural rules. At this level, students usually receive general training in all areas before choosing field
specialties.
Step 3: Complete Firearms Forensics Training
After completing initial on-the-job training, workers can request to be transferred to ballistics. Once accepted into
the ballistics department, the BLS indicates that professionals have to complete firearms forensics training. Each
employer has different training protocols, but forensic workers may have to train for three years before they are
proficient in the field of ballistics. According to the National Institute of Justice, potential firearms-analysis
training topics include propellants, evidence handling, firearms manufacturers, bullet identification, ammunition
development, gunshot residue, fired projectiles, distance determination, analysis instrumentation and results
reporting protocols.
Step 4: Pass Firearms Analysis Proficiency Exams
According to the BLS, upon completing firearms analysis training, ballistics professionals are often required to
take proficiency exams to verify that they are knowledgeable in the field and ready to work on cases without
supervision. Additionally, only those who have passed examinations are allowed to testify as expert witnesses in
court.
Step 5: Take Continuing Education Courses
The field of forensics, including ballistics, changes frequently, especially with advances in technologies. Both the
BLS and the AAFS recommend that forensic scientists and technicians stay current with new trends by attending
seminars or taking continuing education courses.

Rifling is the process of making helical grooves within the barrel of the rifle. This is used to
gyroscopically stabilize the projectile which helps in improving its stability and accuracy.
Class evidence is evidence characteristic to a group. Individual evidence is that which is unique
to an individual. A shoe print from a certain shoe brand is class evidence, while the unique
wearing of it that points to a certain pair is unique evidence.
The method for identifying shells heretofore employed by us and the majority of
firearm identification experts consisted of making microphotographs of all those to
be examined, and then making direct comparisons of all the similarities found upon
them, taking into consideration their form, position, and dimensions. This work,
which at first appears simple, in reality presents the greatest difficulties. In order to
make a satisfactory comparison of all these similarities, it is necessary that the
magnification be strictly the same on all photographs, but it is only at the cost of
much hard work and after many trials that we can arrive at a conclusion, which even
then may not be satisfactory.
Bullets collected for comparison to a specific firearm are examined first to see if they are of
a caliber that could have been fired from the submitted firearm. They are then examined
to determine if the pattern of rifling impressions found on the bullet match the pattern
of rifling contained in the barrel of the questioned firearm. If these class characteristics
agree the next step is to try to make a positive match between the individual characteristics
that may have transferred to the bullet from the barrel.

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