- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Safety Features
Home > Examination of Firearms > Examination > Safety Features
General safety procedures should be followed when handling firearms in any environment. Other procedures are unique to the forensic firearms laboratory, including the laboratory firing range and bullet recovery facility.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) advocates three fundamental safety rules that must be applied simultaneously when handling a firearm:
- Always keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction.
- Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Always keep a firearm unloaded until ready to use.
In the laboratory
- be aware of all safety policies and procedures of the laboratory and their implementation,
- be responsible for your own safety and that of others in the working environment,
- handle every firearm as if it were loaded until it has been checked,
- follow the procedure for the particular laboratory regarding the receipt of loaded firearms.
Click here to watch a safe firearm handling demonstration
