Arizona Department of
Public Safety Arizona
Forensic Scientist II
Firearms Exam Plan
,QUESTIONS
Question 1
One of the following notes confuses the roles of “Comparative Microscopy and
Toolmark Analysis”, “Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation”,
“Introduction and Laboratory Safety”, “Technical Documentation, Quality
Control, and Courtroom Testimony”. Which note is inconsistent? Pay particular
attention to the role of “Evaluation of Conclusive, Inconclusive, and Unsuitable
Conclusions in Forensic Comparisons”.
A. Comparative Microscopy and Toolmark Analysis — Chain of Custody and Evidence Integrity
Management
B. Technical Documentation, Quality Control, and Courtroom Testimony — Legal Precedents
and Standards for Scientific Evidence (Daubert and Frye Standards)
C. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — Chain of Custody and Evidence Integrity Management
D. Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation — Safe Handling, Examination, and
Documentation of Received Firearms
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: The note requiring correction assigns the second focus’s activity to the first
focus. Comparative Microscopy and Toolmark Analysis: Evaluation of Conclusive, Inconclusive, and
Unsuitable Conclusions in Forensic Comparisons. Introduction and Laboratory Safety: Chain of
Custody and Evidence Integrity Management. B: This association is consistent: Technical
Documentation, Quality Control, and Courtroom Testimony: Legal Precedents and Standards for
Scientific Evidence (Daubert and Frye Standards). C: This association is consistent: Introduction
and Laboratory Safety: Chain of Custody and Evidence Integrity Management. D: This association
is consistent: Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation: Safe Handling, Examination,
and Documentation of Received Firearms.
2
,QUESTIONS
Question 2
A comparison covers “Introduction and Laboratory Safety”, “Fundamentals of
Firearms and Ammunition”, “Firearms Operational Testing and Function
Evaluation”, “Comparative Microscopy and Toolmark Analysis”. Which
association preserves the correct relationship? Pay particular attention to the
role of “Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous Materials Handling”.
A. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — History, Evolution, and Mechanical Design of Firearms
(Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns)
B. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — Safe Handling, Examination, and Documentation of
Received Firearms
C. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — Identification and Comparison of Fired Bullets (Lands,
Grooves, Twist, and Striations)
D. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous Materials
Handling
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Introduction and Laboratory Safety: Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous
Materials Handling. A: This option instead describes the following different focus: Fundamentals of
Firearms and Ammunition: History, Evolution, and Mechanical Design of Firearms (Handguns,
Rifles, Shotguns). B: This option instead describes the following different focus: Firearms
Operational Testing and Function Evaluation: Safe Handling, Examination, and Documentation of
Received Firearms. C: This option instead describes the following different focus: Comparative
Microscopy and Toolmark Analysis: Identification and Comparison of Fired Bullets (Lands, Grooves,
Twist, and Striations).
3
, QUESTIONS
Question 3
Three briefs require, in order: (1) “Chemical and Instrumental Testing for
Distances of Firing (Modified Griess Test, Sodium Diphenylamine Sulfonate
Test)”; (2) “Breechface, Firing Pin, Extractor, and Ejector Marks”; (3) “Safe
Handling, Examination, and Documentation of Received Firearms”. Which
sequence of focus areas fits all three?
A. Identification and Comparison of Cartridge Cases → Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance
Determination → Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation
B. Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation → Identification and Comparison of
Cartridge Cases → Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance Determination
C. Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance Determination → Firearms Operational Testing and
Function Evaluation → Identification and Comparison of Cartridge Cases
D. Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance Determination → Identification and Comparison of
Cartridge Cases → Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance Determination: Chemical and
Instrumental Testing for Distances of Firing (Modified Griess Test, Sodium Diphenylamine Sulfonate
Test). Identification and Comparison of Cartridge Cases: Breechface, Firing Pin, Extractor, and
Ejector Marks. Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation: Safe Handling, Examination,
and Documentation of Received Firearms. A: Positions 1, 2 do not preserve the corresponding
task-to-focus relationships. B: Positions 1, 3 do not preserve the corresponding task-to-focus
relationships. C: Positions 2, 3 do not preserve the corresponding task-to-focus relationships.
Question 4
A brief initially required “History, Evolution, and Mechanical Design of Firearms
(Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns)” for “Fundamentals of Firearms and
Ammunition”, but now concerns “Introduction and Laboratory Safety”. Which
task matches the revised requirement?
A. History, Evolution, and Mechanical Design of Firearms (Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns)
B. Reconstruction of Modified or Altered Firearms (e.g., Full-Auto Conversions)
C. Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous Materials Handling
D. Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: Introduction and Laboratory Safety: Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous
Materials Handling. Fundamentals of Firearms and Ammunition: History, Evolution, and Mechanical
Design of Firearms (Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns). A: This describes “Fundamentals of Firearms and
Ammunition”, rather than the requested focus. B: This describes “Firearms Operational Testing
and Function Evaluation”, rather than the requested focus. D: This describes “History, Evolution,
and Mechanical Design of Firearms”, rather than the requested focus.
4
Public Safety Arizona
Forensic Scientist II
Firearms Exam Plan
,QUESTIONS
Question 1
One of the following notes confuses the roles of “Comparative Microscopy and
Toolmark Analysis”, “Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation”,
“Introduction and Laboratory Safety”, “Technical Documentation, Quality
Control, and Courtroom Testimony”. Which note is inconsistent? Pay particular
attention to the role of “Evaluation of Conclusive, Inconclusive, and Unsuitable
Conclusions in Forensic Comparisons”.
A. Comparative Microscopy and Toolmark Analysis — Chain of Custody and Evidence Integrity
Management
B. Technical Documentation, Quality Control, and Courtroom Testimony — Legal Precedents
and Standards for Scientific Evidence (Daubert and Frye Standards)
C. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — Chain of Custody and Evidence Integrity Management
D. Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation — Safe Handling, Examination, and
Documentation of Received Firearms
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: The note requiring correction assigns the second focus’s activity to the first
focus. Comparative Microscopy and Toolmark Analysis: Evaluation of Conclusive, Inconclusive, and
Unsuitable Conclusions in Forensic Comparisons. Introduction and Laboratory Safety: Chain of
Custody and Evidence Integrity Management. B: This association is consistent: Technical
Documentation, Quality Control, and Courtroom Testimony: Legal Precedents and Standards for
Scientific Evidence (Daubert and Frye Standards). C: This association is consistent: Introduction
and Laboratory Safety: Chain of Custody and Evidence Integrity Management. D: This association
is consistent: Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation: Safe Handling, Examination,
and Documentation of Received Firearms.
2
,QUESTIONS
Question 2
A comparison covers “Introduction and Laboratory Safety”, “Fundamentals of
Firearms and Ammunition”, “Firearms Operational Testing and Function
Evaluation”, “Comparative Microscopy and Toolmark Analysis”. Which
association preserves the correct relationship? Pay particular attention to the
role of “Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous Materials Handling”.
A. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — History, Evolution, and Mechanical Design of Firearms
(Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns)
B. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — Safe Handling, Examination, and Documentation of
Received Firearms
C. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — Identification and Comparison of Fired Bullets (Lands,
Grooves, Twist, and Striations)
D. Introduction and Laboratory Safety — Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous Materials
Handling
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Introduction and Laboratory Safety: Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous
Materials Handling. A: This option instead describes the following different focus: Fundamentals of
Firearms and Ammunition: History, Evolution, and Mechanical Design of Firearms (Handguns,
Rifles, Shotguns). B: This option instead describes the following different focus: Firearms
Operational Testing and Function Evaluation: Safe Handling, Examination, and Documentation of
Received Firearms. C: This option instead describes the following different focus: Comparative
Microscopy and Toolmark Analysis: Identification and Comparison of Fired Bullets (Lands, Grooves,
Twist, and Striations).
3
, QUESTIONS
Question 3
Three briefs require, in order: (1) “Chemical and Instrumental Testing for
Distances of Firing (Modified Griess Test, Sodium Diphenylamine Sulfonate
Test)”; (2) “Breechface, Firing Pin, Extractor, and Ejector Marks”; (3) “Safe
Handling, Examination, and Documentation of Received Firearms”. Which
sequence of focus areas fits all three?
A. Identification and Comparison of Cartridge Cases → Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance
Determination → Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation
B. Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation → Identification and Comparison of
Cartridge Cases → Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance Determination
C. Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance Determination → Firearms Operational Testing and
Function Evaluation → Identification and Comparison of Cartridge Cases
D. Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance Determination → Identification and Comparison of
Cartridge Cases → Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Gunshot Residue (GSR) and Distance Determination: Chemical and
Instrumental Testing for Distances of Firing (Modified Griess Test, Sodium Diphenylamine Sulfonate
Test). Identification and Comparison of Cartridge Cases: Breechface, Firing Pin, Extractor, and
Ejector Marks. Firearms Operational Testing and Function Evaluation: Safe Handling, Examination,
and Documentation of Received Firearms. A: Positions 1, 2 do not preserve the corresponding
task-to-focus relationships. B: Positions 1, 3 do not preserve the corresponding task-to-focus
relationships. C: Positions 2, 3 do not preserve the corresponding task-to-focus relationships.
Question 4
A brief initially required “History, Evolution, and Mechanical Design of Firearms
(Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns)” for “Fundamentals of Firearms and
Ammunition”, but now concerns “Introduction and Laboratory Safety”. Which
task matches the revised requirement?
A. History, Evolution, and Mechanical Design of Firearms (Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns)
B. Reconstruction of Modified or Altered Firearms (e.g., Full-Auto Conversions)
C. Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous Materials Handling
D. Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: Introduction and Laboratory Safety: Laboratory Safety Protocols and Hazardous
Materials Handling. Fundamentals of Firearms and Ammunition: History, Evolution, and Mechanical
Design of Firearms (Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns). A: This describes “Fundamentals of Firearms and
Ammunition”, rather than the requested focus. B: This describes “Firearms Operational Testing
and Function Evaluation”, rather than the requested focus. D: This describes “History, Evolution,
and Mechanical Design of Firearms”, rather than the requested focus.
4
