Forensic Laboratory Supervisor Firearms This non-state service, time-limited position is within the Crime Laboratory in PEARL, MS, located in RANKIN COUNTY. The Forensic Laboratory Supervisor Firearms serves as the technical and administrative supervisor of the Firearms and Toolmarks Unit within the Mississippi Crime Laboratory. The incumbent is responsible for directing, coordinating, and overseeing the examination of firearms, ammunition, fired cartridge cases, bullets, firearm-related evidence, and other items submitted for forensic analysis. This position provides advanced forensic expertise and leadership to ensure that firearms examinations are conducted accurately, objectively, and in accordance with established laboratory procedures, professional standards, accreditation requirements, and applicable laws. The incumbent supervises forensic laboratory personnel, manages case assignments and workload, reviews analytical findings and technical documentation, maintains quality assurance standards, and serves as a technical resource for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and other criminal justice partners. The position requires extensive knowledge of firearms and toolmark examination, including firearm identification, function testing, ammunition examination, microscopic comparison, serial number restoration, gunshot residue-related examinations when applicable, distance determination, and the interpretation and documentation of examination results. Essential duties and responsibilities include supervising, directing, and evaluating the work of forensic scientists and other personnel assigned to the Firearms and Toolmarks Unit; assigning cases and managing workload to ensure timely, accurate, and appropriate processing of firearms-related evidence; performing and/or overseeing complex forensic examinations involving firearms, ammunition, bullets, cartridge cases, shotshell components, firearm parts, and other related evidence; conducting microscopic examinations and comparisons of fired bullets, cartridge cases, and other toolmarked evidence to determine whether items may have originated from a common firearm or tool; examining firearms to determine identity, operating condition, functionality, safety characteristics, mechanical condition, and compliance with applicable laboratory examination procedures; performing examinations involving altered, obliterated, or removed firearm serial numbers and applying approved restoration techniques when appropriate; examining firearms and ammunition for evidence of discharge, firing, loading, cycling, or other relevant characteristics; conducting test-firing of firearms when necessary and safely collecting test specimens for comparison and analysis; evaluating evidence for potential associations between firearms, ammunition components, and crime scenes; reviewing case notes, photographs, analytical data, comparison results, and laboratory reports prepared by subordinate forensic personnel for technical accuracy and completeness; providing technical review and approval of forensic reports in accordance with laboratory quality assurance procedures; ensuring that examinations are conducted using validated methodologies, appropriate instrumentation, established laboratory protocols, and accepted forensic practices; maintaining and monitoring quality assurance and quality control procedures within the Firearms and Toolmarks Unit; ensuring compliance with applicable laboratory accreditation standards, quality manuals, standard operating procedures, safety requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations; participating in proficiency testing, competency assessments, technical audits, quality assurance reviews, and corrective-action activities; identifying deficiencies or potential quality issues and implementing or recommending corrective measures; developing, reviewing, updating, and implementing standard operating procedures, technical procedures, examination protocols, and quality assurance documentation for firearms examinations; researching developments in firearms identification, toolmark examination, forensic science, laboratory instrumentation, and emerging technologies; evaluating new equipment, methodologies, reference materials, and technology for potential use within the Firearms and Toolmarks Unit; providing technical consultation to investigators, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, attorneys, and other authorized personnel regarding firearms evidence and forensic findings; providing expert testimony in municipal, county, state, and federal courts regarding firearms and toolmark examinations, laboratory procedures, analytical findings, and conclusions; reviewing and responding to subpoenas, discovery requests, technical inquiries, and other legal matters involving firearms evidence and laboratory examinations; and assisting prosecutors and law enforcement personnel in understanding forensic firearms findings while maintaining scientific objectivity and impartiality. What you'll need to be successful includes critical thinking, good laboratory practices, observation and attention to detail, and computer proficiency. Preferred qualifications typically require a Bachelor's degree related to forensic science, biology, microbiology, molecular biology, and 9-10 years of experience. Hiring agency prefers: Bachelor's degree related to forensic science, biology, microbiology, molecular biology, and 9-10 years of experience in a laboratory environment performing related work, of which at least four (4) years are in a forensic environment, with a minimum of three (3) years in specific section laboratory experience. Must possess forensic certification for a recognized Forensic Certification Program.
