Author: John H. Dillon, Jr.

Jack Dillon earned a B. S. from the United States Naval Academy and an M. Ed. from the University of Virginia. Commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 1964, he attained the rank of Captain of Marines. Appointed a Special Agent, FBI, in 1970, he investigated diverse criminal violations, including organized crime, bank robberies, extortions, and kidnappings. In 1976 he received orders to the Firearms/Toolmarks Unit of the FBI Laboratory for training as an examiner, where he evaluated evidence and provided on-site field support in domestic cases, as well as abroad. He also designed and taught basic and management-level forensic courses at the FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia, 1982-1988. Jack retired from the FBI as Chief of the Firearms/Toolmarks Unit in 1994, and continues to consult in forensic firearm cases and in training design and delivery.

Introduction

Safety is the first priority in conducting any laboratory examination. Laboratory safety protocols are implemented for the protection of all laboratory staff.

Safety procedures addressed in this module include

• firearms,
• biohazards,
• chemical.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this module the student should be able to do the following:

• Summarize biohazard procedures generally, in regard to the importance of
  • biohazard stickers,
  • air drying bloody clothing and similar items,
  • disinfectants for bullets,
  • cleaning bullets bearing potential biohazards,
  • particulate masks if appropriate,
  • an awareness of possible parasites in clothing and other items.
• Describe chemical safety precautions relating to
  • prevention of
    • ingestion,
    • inhalation,
    • skin contact,
  • reagent preparation,
  • reagent storage,
  • reagent marking,
  • reagent disposal.
• Describe the rules for the safe handling of firearms-related evidence, including firearms, bullets, unfired ammunition, and blood-soaked clothing
  • as they may apply to firearms in any circumstance,
  • at a crime scene,
  • upon receipt at the laboratory bench,
  • during test firing,
  • when using bullet recovery equipment,
  • when firing known-distance gunshot residue patterns,
  • in the courtroom.
• Articulate the appropriate safety precautions that should be taken in regard to toolmark-related evidence, including
  • edged or pointed items (sharps),
  • biohazards commonly encountered with edged tools.
• Provide an overview of firearms laboratory safety management and supervisory responsibilities, including these:
  • Protection of personnel, to include
    • general safety training,
    • personal protective equipment,
    • preventive health measures.
  • Physical plant responsibilities, to include
    • expendable supplies for evidence decontamination,
    • lead abatement,
    • ventilation,
    • sound abatement.
  • Emergency response preparation, to include
    • planning concerns,
    • emergency response training,
    • emergency equipment,
    • communications.

AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors

Back Forward