Michael S. Ward

Michael joined the SBA staff in December 2024. He has his Master of Science in Forensic Science from National University in San Diego, California. He also has a Forensic Science Laboratory Leadership and Management certificate from the University of California at Davis Extension. He began his career in forensics in 1994, working for the Crime Scene Investigations Unit of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. In 1995, Michael received his Level I Crime Scene Certification from the International Association of Identification (IAI), and he worked as a trainer instructing new crime scene personnel. He was assigned to work at the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, conducting external body exams for years. In 2002, Mr. Ward began working as a Criminalist in the Firearm & Toolmark Unit of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department’s Regional Criminalistics Laboratory.

In 2006, Michael began working as a Forensic Scientist in the Firearm and Toolmark Unit of the Fort Worth, Texas Police Department Crime Laboratory. He worked for the Fort Worth Police Department for 17 years and was promoted to Senior Forensic Scientist, Technical Leader, and Forensic Supervisor. He spent his last seven years with the Department as the Forensic Science Division Manager.

Mr. Ward is a Distinguished Member of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE). In October 2010, he received his AFTE Certification in Firearms Evidence Examination and Identification; in January 2012, he received his American Society Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) International Technical Assessor Certification; in January 2015, he became a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Authorized Trainer; in December 2015 he began serving on the Texas Forensic Science Commission’s Licensing Advisory Committee; in 2018 he received his Forensic Analyst License (Firearms & Toolmarks) from the Texas Forensic Science Commission. From 2009 to 2018, he was an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Texas Wesleyan University and taught forensic science courses.

Michael has been published numerous times in peer-reviewed journals, testified in court as an expert witness more than one hundred times, and worked, lectured, and toured forensic facilities in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America.