Ray Barnwell retired from the York County Sheriff’s Office in York County, South Carolina, where his final role was Forensic Firearms and Toolmark Examiner.  He has over 25 years of Law Enforcement experience; Over 12 years as a road officer and supervisor, 13 years as a Forensics Investigator (CSI and Firearms Examiner) while also serving 15 years on SWAT as the Sniper Team Leader. Prior to entering the public sector, he served six years in the USAF as a Security Police officer and is a Desert Shield/Storm Veteran.  

Ray is an armorer for dozens of weapons including handguns, shotguns, assault rifles and bolt rifles. Ray is a National Rifle Association (NRA) and South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) certified firearms instructor.  He has written lesson plans for several tactical schools, hosted and has been the lead instructor for 11 basic sniper schools with attendees from all over the country. Ray is a member of IALEFI and the NRA.

As a qualified Firearms and Toolmark Examiner, Ray has received over 1,500 hours of forensic ballistics training and he is a Distinguished Member of AFTE. He has testified as an expert witness in state and federal courts. Ray has trained others in firearm examination and has provided expert evidentiary review in criminal cases throughout the southeast US. 

CORE COMPETENCIES
  • Firearms and Toolmark Examiner
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Firearms Instructor with >750 hrs. experience, certified NRA/SC-CJA.
  • Proven Armorer of over 30 weapons with 7 manufacturers
  • Proven Expert Educator and Public Speaker
  • Forensics, expert in Crime Scene Investigation and Ballistics
  • Expert Witness in State and Federal Courts
  • SWAT Sniper Team Leader Trainer 
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
  • Distinguished Member of AFTE
  • Completion of Firearms and Toolmark Examiner School. Served as the Firearm and Toolmark Examiner for York County, SC., this lab was one of only 4 within the state.
  • Author and Lead Instructor of a SCCJA -approved lesson plan, “Basic Fundamentals of Marksmanship And Observation (Sniper School).” For 7 years, over 150 students traveled from states along the east coast to attend this 50-hour course.
  • Author and Lead Instructor of SCCJA -approved, “Woodland Operations.” Over 100 students attended.
  • Assistant Instructor of 30-hour Sniper Class at SC Criminal Justice Academy.
  • Conducted 100 hours of training as a Rappel Master.
  • Officer of the Year, 2003, for York County Sheriff’s Office, York, SC.
CIVILIAN WORK EXPERIENCE
  • Dec. 2019 to Present
    • Owner/Operator of Firearms & Forensic Services, LLC
    • Team One Network Instructor
    • Retired SC Law Enforcement Officer
  • York County Sheriff’s Office, York, SC 1996 to 2019
    • 4 years as Patrolman – 5 years as patrol Sergeant
    • 10 years as Crime Scene Investigator
    • 6 years as Forensic Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner
    • 15 years as SWAT Team Member/Leader/Trainer
    • 23 years as Range Officer and Firearms Instructor, Armorer
  • City of York Police Department 1994-1996, Patrolman
VETERAN
  • United State Air Force: Security Police
  • 1987-1993
  • Deployed to Desert Shield/Desert Storm
  • Deployed with Operation Just Cause
  • Armorer and Specialist with approximately 10 military firearm/weapons
  • Honorably Discharged 
  • Now – Owner of a SDVOSB (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business)
CAREER ADVANCEMENT EDUCATION
  • Forensic Firearms and Toolmark Examiner Training, 1500+ hours
  • Firearms Instructor Classes, 300+ hours
  • Armorer Courses, 400+ hours
  • Leadership Schools, 175+ hours
  • Forensic Courses (additional), 350+ hours