AFTE Certification Program Development

Program Development Overview

In January of 1998, the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) entered into a contract with Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS) to develop a series of content-valid certification examinations in three different competency areas: Firearm, Tool Mark and Gunshot Residue Evidence Examination and Identification.  Each certification examination developed under this contract consists of a written examination and a practical examination.  Two versions of the written and practical certification examinations in each competency area were developed.  Further information regarding the steps taken by CPS and AFTE to develop content-valid certification examinations for the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners can be found below.  Occupational analysis and test development procedures were performed to ensure that the resulting AFTE certification examinations are in compliance with applicable professional and legal standards, such as: the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Age Discrimination Legislation; the Uniform Guidelines for Employee Selection Procedures; the Principles for the Validation and Use of Personnel Selection Procedures; and the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing.

Certification Program Development Documents

• 1994 Certification Survey - AFTE Journal, Volume 26, Number 4, pgs. xix-xxvi
• Summary Report on the Development of Certification Examinations for Practicing Firearm and Toolmark Examiners - Kenneth F. Kowalski, AFTE Journal, Volume 32, Number 4, pgs. 373-379
• CPS Occupational Analysis and Certification Examination Development - Full Version
• CPS Occupational Analysis and Certification Examination Development - No Appendices

Appendices

• Appendix A: Job Description of the Firearm and Toolmark Examiner Classification
• Appendix B: AFTE Job Analysis Questionnaire
• Appendix C: Results of the AFTE Job Analysis Questionnaire
• Appendix D: KSA Factor Analysis Groupings
• Appendix E: Task Statement/KSA Linkages
• Appendix F: KSA’s Linked to the AFTE Written Examinations
• Appendix G: Angoff Rating Intructions
• Appendix H: KSA and Angoff Ratings for the AFTE Written Examination Items
• Appendix I: Written Examination Proctor Instructions
• Appendix J: Written Examination Comment Form
• Appendix K: KSA’s Assessed by the AFTE Practical Examinations
• Appendix L: Practical Examination Comment Form
• Appendix M: AFTE Test Security Agreement Forms
• Appendix N: Content Analysis of the AFTE Written Examination