I get a lot of requests from students who are writing papers about the careers of firearm examiners and my personal views toward my job. Below are some recent questions asked of me and my responses.
1. What do you like best about your job?
I like the uniqueness of every case that I work. No two are ever exactly alike. I also like having a job that is pretty unique itself. There are not very many firearm examiners in the world (I’m the only one in my region of Kentucky. This is very rare among professions. You can’t throw a rock without hitting a doctor or lawyer. 
2. What do you dislike most about it? Why?
It is hard to find a dislike actually. But the paperwork involved in documenting the casework can be pretty tiresome. It seems to get worse every year. 3. What is your most common case type?
The most common case involves firearms identification and usually includes a firearm, fired bullet/bullets and fired cartridge case/cases. The most common offense is split probably between suicide investigations and murder investigations.4. When you are doing your job do you feel like it is a service to the Nation?
Serving my nation? No, not really. I see a career in the military or federal government as serving our nation. I do see my work as service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its citizens. 5. Did you feel differently about firearms and specific tools after you started your job?
Prior to being a firearm examiner I had been a small time hunter and plinker. I’ve owned firearms since I was 13 years old and always enjoyed shooting. But now after having shot firearms for a living the last 26 years, I rarely shoot in my “off-time”. Obviously, in my youth, I never even considered how firearms and tools can create unique toolmarks. So, yes I see firearms/tools from a totally different perspective now.6. About how many people work in your department?
I don’t know the exact number of analysts in all of the sections but I’d say we have at least 100 forensic scientists throughout the system. We have a regional laboratory setup with the Central Lab in Frankfort, KY (our full-service lab) and five regional labs spread out over the Commonwealth. We have four trained firearm examiners in the state and four firearm examiner trainees.7. What are your hours like? Do you work a steady shift, or just when there’s a case?
We work Monday thru Friday, 7 ½ hours per day. We do not have any other shifts. Some larger labs, New York City for example, have 3 shifts and examine evidence 24 hours a day. 8. What are the Benefits (health care, Dental, etc.)?
As employees of the Commonwealth of Kentucky we do have health care and dental plans available. Single coverage right now is paid for but family plans can get pretty pricey.9. What kinds of advancement opportunities are there?
We start in a Firearm Examiner I position, can go to Firearm Examiner II, Forensic Scientist I, and then Forensic Scientist II. There are opportunities also in management from Section Supervisor, Regional Lab Supervisor, and Lab Manager.10. Is there any other career that you would rather have?
There are a couple of careers I can think of that I’d rather be than a Firearm Examiner. A professional golfer would be nice but there are a bunch of them and I’ve always wanted to teach scuba to tourists at a resort in Cancun. I guess I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.11. Was it worth the effort?
Absolutely, the pay has not always been good so you had to like the job to stick around. It has been a very rewarding career and I’d recommend it to anyone.
