Kirk Garrison, Criminalist
Education
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Bachelor of Science in Biology, Clarke University | 2010
Training
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American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Leadership Academy Level 1
Hybrid – 12 online sessions with 3-day capstone in Olathe, KS
48 Hours – September – December 2025 -
Advanced Expert Witnessing for Forensic Laboratory Scientists
Highland, CA
2 days - October 2025 -
Forensic Technical Assessor Training
Instructor-led remote course
July 15-18, 2025 -
Association of Firearms & Toolmarks 2025 Conference
Anaheim, CA
5 days – May 2025 -
NIBIN Authorized Trainer Course
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
San Bernardino, CA (online)
2.5 days – August 2023 -
Association of Firearms & Toolmarks 2023 Conference
Austin, TX
6 days – May 2023 -
Basic Station Armorer Course
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
10 hours- September 2022 -
Association of Firearms & Toolmarks 2022 Conference
Atlanta, GA
6 days – May/June 2022 -
California Association of Criminalist – 136th Seminar
Long Beach, CA
3 days- April 2022 -
Modern Firearm Manufacturing Techniques Course
Connecticut, Massachusetts & New Hampshire
10 days – September 2021 -
Association of Firearms & Toolmarks 2021 Conference
Miami, FL
48 hours – August 2021 -
Statistical Thinking for Forensic Practitioners Short Course
Online Course – Sponsored by CSAFE
6 hours – March/April 2021 -
Integrated Ballistic Identification System – Matchpoint
Ultra Forensics – Online Course
San Bernardino, CA
3 days – October 2020 -
SHOT (Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade) Show
Las Vegas, NV
January 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025 -
Glock Armorer’s Course
Corona, CA
8 hours – December 2019 -
Integrated Ballistic Identification System – Data Acquisition
Huntsville, AL
32 hours – October 2019 -
California Association of Criminalists Fall 2019 Conference
3D Technology, Analysis and Statistics for Firearm/Toolmark Examinations
Measurement Uncertainty
Advanced Forensic Evidence in a Hazardous Environment
Ontario, CA
October 2019 -
Assault Weapons Identification and New and Upcoming CA Gun Laws
LA HIDTA – Pete Tuttle
Commerce, CA
3 hours – October 2019
Basic Station Armorer Course
Frank Bland Regional Training Center, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
4 hours – September 2019 -
Advanced Reconstruction and Major Scene Logistics
National Crime Investigation and Training – Joe Rynearson
Hosted by Ontario Police Department
50 hours – August 2018 -
International Association for Identification Educational Conference
Evidence Detection across the Spectrum: Using Forensic Light Sources from 254nm to >1000nm -2 hours
Trajectory of Vehicles: Rods, Strings and Lasers – 4 hours
Examination of Bloodstains and Bloodstain Patterns on Clothing – 5 hours
Atlanta, GA
40 hours – August 2017 -
FARO 3D Scanning and software
Scientific Investigations Division, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
16 hours – June 2017 -
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Scientific Investigations Division, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
40 hours – May 2017 -
Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
40 hours – November 2015 -
Coroner Gravesite Excavation
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
8 hours – October 2015 -
Crime Scene and Forensic Photography
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
40 hours – October 2015 -
Coroner Bone ID and Recovery
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
8 hours – October 2015 -
Advanced Latent Fingerprint
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
40 hours – April 2015 -
Gunshot Trajectory
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
40 hours – October 2014 -
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
40 hours – October 2014 -
Traffic Collision Investigation – Basic
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
40 hours – January 2014 -
Crime Scene Investigation – Basic
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
80 hours - December 2013 -
Crime Scene/Shoe and Tire Impression
Frank Bland Training Center - San Bernardino, CA
24 hours – November 2013
Other Laboratory Training
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Functional Examinations (Gun Function Analysis) – December 2019
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NIBIN Entry and Correlation Review – January 2021
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Class Characteristics of Bullets and Fired Cartridge Cases (General Rifling Characteristic Analysis) – January 2023
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Cartridge Case Examination and Comparison – April 2024
Experience
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Criminalist & Forensic Consultant, Garrison Forensics LLC | 2026 – Present
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Criminalist, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department | 2018 – Present
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Sheriff's Crime Scene Specialist | 2016 – 2018
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Sheriff's Service Specialist (Crime Scene, Traffic and Evidence Room Management) | 2013-2016
Court Qualifications
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Firearm toolmark microscopic comparison – California Superior Court
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Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation – California Superior Court
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Crime Scene Investigation – California Superior Court
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General Rifling Characteristics – California Superior Court
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Gun Function – California Superior Court
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Gunshot Trajectory – California Superior Court
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National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) – California Superior Court
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Technical Processing of Evidence – California Superior Court
Memberships
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Distinguished Member, Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) | 2019
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Training Manual Subcommittee | 2025
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Distinguished Membership |2026
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California Association for Criminalists | 2019
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Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) | 2025
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3 year term to Firearms Subcommittee
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Presentations and Research
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“3d Printed Firearms and Related Evidence”
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Presented to the California Association of Criminalists
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2026
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“3D printed object topography analysis and the viability for forensic examination” – co-author
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Accepted for publication to Journal of Forensic Sciences
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April, 2026
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“Magazine Lip Mark from Ejection”
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Accepted for publication in an upcoming AFTE Journal
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2025
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“3D Printing for Toolmarks Examiners”
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Presented to the Southern Area Forensic Firearms Training Event
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October, 2025
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“Privately Made Firearms – From 80 to 0” (2 hour webinar)
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Presented to the New Jersey Division of the Internation Association of Identification
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June, 2025
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“The Lo-Point: Endurance of a 3D-Printed Hybrid Firearm”
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Presented at the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners Conference
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2025
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“Evaluation of NIBIN Unified Scores in Relation to NIBIN Leads: Establishing a Score Threshold to Improve Time Efficiency of Correlation Review”
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Published in 2024 by the AFTE Journal; Volume 56, No. 2
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“An exploratory study of topographical signatures within 3D fused deposition modelling using Polylactic Acid (PLA) filament.” – Co-author
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Published in Forensic Science International
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May 2023
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“Initial Observations of 3D-Printer Nozzle Marks”
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Presented at the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners Conference
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2023
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“80% Firearm Kits”
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Presented at the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners Conference (AFTE) and the California Association of Criminalists (CAC) Conference
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2022
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Research Participant
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Distance Determination Study
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Organized by Erica Lawton, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
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PhD thesis project
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2025
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Sun Devil Firearm Study
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Organized by Max Guyll, Arizona State University
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2025
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Journal Review
Journal of Forensic Sciences – American Academy of Forensic Sciences
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Examining the Effects of 3D Printed Projectiles on Firearm Identification
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April 2025
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An Unusual Home Made Firearm: Cartridge Identification Challenge
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July 2025 and November 2025
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Firing Cycle Dynamics and Forensic Interpretation of 3D-Printed Ruger 10/22 Receivers During Live Fire
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February 2026
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Consulting Fee Schedule
Standard fee structure for professional services provided by Garrison Forensics LLC. All consulting agreements require a signed contract and minimum retainer before case review begins. Travel and consulting services are billed at fixed professional rates.
Hourly Consultation & Case Review
$200.00 / Hour
Initial Minimum Retainer
$(based upon time estimate)
Travel & Portal-to-Portal Time
$100.00 / Hour
Deposition & Trial Testimony
$1,000.00 (Minimum per half-day)
Rescheduling & Cancellation
72-Hour Advance Notice Required
Emergency/After-Hours Contact (MOU required)
$400.00 / Hour
Pro bono or reduced cost
Variable, case by case