educational background.

All forensic departments for engineering (weapons and technical formtracks) and classic forensics (dactyloscopy, handwriting examinations and document, passport and typescript examinations) must complete a uniform theoretical and practical training in Germany. Experts from the forensic natural science departments (chemistry, biology and physics) are not subject to uniform training and are often appointed as experts immediately after completing their studies. This system is viewed by many forensic scientists as very critical, since practice shows that special knowledge is only vaguely available. On the other hand, it has to be stated that the examinations in the natural sciences do not require nearly as much experience in forensic work, since the working out of an examination result consists of reading a value ejected by a device. Certainly it isn‘t easy to interpret a mixed track either, but this is out of all proportion to the expertise that an engineering expert has to develop at a crime scene. In the case of the technical formtracks, a mechanical engineering degree and, if possible, prior technical vocational training are required as the basis for admission to forensics. This can be, for example, a three-and-a-half year training in manufacturing technology to become a mechatronics fitter, aircraft mechanic, metal worker, etc., followed by a three-year mechanical engineering studies (Bachelor) at a university or a Master's degree. In some federal states such as Hesse and Baden-Württemberg, police officers with a three-year university degree are also admitted for forensic training or graduates of a purely forensic degree. Only with these entrance requirements does the actual training as a technical forensic scientist begin!

modular system of German forensic training.

The expert study begins with the entry into the forensic institute. The applicant for the expert begins a basic training within the State Criminal Police Office. He has to complete tasks on a nationwide checklist, which also includes working for the local crime protection group, other forensic science departments and working in three other state criminal offices in Germany or Europe. In addition, various excursions to manufacturers (e.g. shoe, tire and glove manufacturers, tool manufacturers and lock manufacturers) must be carried out. The checklist must be completed within a time frame of 1 to 2 years. Only when this is done, the candidate begins the central training at the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). The first level of training also includes subjects such as mathematics, physics, manufacturing technology, crime scene evidence, probability calculation, quality management, materials science, statistics, expert opinion creation, rhetoric and legal subjects (e.g. expert law). If the subjects have not been proven by previous mechanical engineering studies, written examinations must be passed at the BKA. Once all the required exams have been passed, the candidate can start the next level of training, which means one of the three specialist modules: • shoe-, tire- and gloveprints • toolmarks and fracture matching (pass marks) • mechanical safety devices Usually, all three courses are taken one after the other. The lectures contain intensive engineering theoretical parts, but also various practical casework.

exam.

At the end of the course of studies (by the technical formtracks analogous to a master's degree) there is a two-week examination phase per degree program. The first part includes a 4-day forensic examination and a test report. Then there is the 4-day examination phase, in which an examination report must be prepared. After the evaluation of the examination report, those students who have successfully completed the written examination report are invited to an oral examination, including an oral presentation of their report. In total, a graduate of all courses in the technical formtracks must write 9 test reports and 3 exam reports, passes 3 written and 3 oral technical tests as well as 3 oral examination tests. And that's just the 3rd level tests. In the past it was more common that some students could not produce the necessary results. After completing the three courses (shoe-, glove- and tireprint, tool & pass marks, lock & key), the expert is obliged to continue training in all technical areas of the technical formtracks. If he is a member of a forensic science institute, research also belongs to his original duties. Until the end of his service.

very short...

Nothing is too difficult for the engineer! The basis for a job in technical forensics is a technical vocational training and a mechanical engineering degree. The prospective experts for technical formtracks are modularly trained in three different courses: shoe, tire and gloveprints / toolmarks and fracture matching / lock and key examinations. In each of these three faculties, separate training and various theoretical and practical exams must be passed. The forensic training lasts approx. 5 years in total! Basic forensic training begins at the Forensic Science Institute. It lasts for at least one year and includes practical and theoretical learning units in forensic technology, excursions to manufacturers and other state criminal offices. Uniform special training at the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) follows. Intensive theoretical and practical training takes place in each subject. At the end of the course, at least two test assessments must be completed by each student and an oral and written exam must also be completed. Most of the lecturers come from the federal states and have many years of practical experience. The training is completed by a two- week examination phase for each subject, which ends in a written and oral final examination. After completing the expert courses, there is still the possibility to take part in further trainings, which are carried out by the BKA or it‘s own state criminal police office. This applies to: vehicle identification, visualization of removed embossing marks, crime scene reconstruction, clothing identification, bite marks, etc.