Joshua A. Wright is an expert witness in the area of Forensic Ballistics and Firearm & Tool Mark Identification. His expertise includes muzzle to target distance determination, gunshot residues (GSR), firearm examination to determine operability and safety, comparison of fired ammunition components to known evidence, and crime scene/shooting reconstruction to include number of shots and firearms fired, shooter location, cartridge case ejection pattern, trajectory, and ricochet. Mr. Wright has a particularly developed eye as it pertains to the comparison microscope and uses a certified comparison microscope for all comparisons. He is proficiency tested yearly in the area of bullet and cartridge case comparisons. Prior to owning and operating Wright Forensic Consulting, he was employed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) as a Forensic Expert in the Firearms section of the laboratory. Since earning a degree in Criminology, he has been employed in his field and has obtained a wide array of exposure in many areas of evidence examination including evidence collection and tracking, crime scene investigation, photography, latent, tool mark impressions and ballistics.

Professional history

2013–Present	Forensic Expert – Ballistics, Owner of Wright Forensic Consulting, Tallahassee, FL   Mr. Wright founded Wright Forensic Consulting in 2013 to provide defense and prosecuting counsel consultation and expert testimony in the areas of Ballistics, DNA, and Toxicology.
2006–2013	Crime Laboratory Analyst – Firearms Identification Section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee, FL Analyzed evidence firearms for functionality and safety, muzzle-to-target distance determination, serial number restoration, and compared test fires to questioned bullets and cartridge cases recovered from crime scenes and submitted as evidence to FDLE.  Testified 22 times relating to the evidence analyzed.
2005–2013	Crime Scene Assistant – Crime Scene Section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee, FL   Documented, collected, measured, and preserved physical evidence at crime scenes. Utilized latent prints background to develop and lift fingerprints, leveraged firearms background to give critical investigative leads regarding firearms and ammunition components, used photography background when photographing evidence at shooting scenes, suicide scenes, homicide scenes, and autopsies.  Additional training through participation in the Forensic Response Team—a task force that worked with surrounding law enforcement agencies and other first responders responsible for hazardous and emergency situations.
2005–2006	Forensic Technologist – Latent Fingerprint Section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee, FL Learned to develop fingerprints on evidence using multiple techniques including fingerprint powder, magnetic powder, chemical reagents, and cyanoacrylate (superglue).  Allocated evidence to analysts in the section.
2005–2006	Forensic Technologist – Photography, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee, FL Photographed latent prints developed on evidence, enhanced clarity of images using More Hits computer software, and prepared examination area for latent processing.
2004–2005	Crime Laboratory Technician – Evidence Section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee, FL Received evidence from surrounding law enforcement agencies, logged evidence and case information in computer tracking system, sorted and stored evidence in the secure vault, and allocated evidence to pertinent sections of the laboratory.

Expert testimony

Testified as an expert 88 times.  Recent testimony and depositions provided below.

Independent Casework

• State of NC vs Paula Pellecchia, Gaston County (2023), attempted 1^st degree murder.  Qualified as an forensic Ballistics expert. Trial. Subpoenaed by the state to testify.
• State of NC vs Z’Kevis Williams, Gaston County (2023), murder. Qualified as an expert in Forensic Ballistics, ejection pattern analysis, and shooting reconstruction. Trial.
• State of FL vs Rakim Harris, Hillsborough County (2023), murder.  Qualified as an expert in forensic ballistics and ejection pattern analysis. Trial
• State of FL vs Rakim Harris, Hillsborough County (2023), murder.  Qualified as an expert in forensic ballistics and ejection pattern analysis.  Zoom Deposition.
• Bumpass, et al. v. Birkhead, et al., Durham County (2023), murder ruled suicide.  Qualified as an expert in Firearms and ballistics and GSR in Federal civil case.  Zoom Deposition.
• State of FL vs Cash O’Neill, Baker County (2023), Felon in possession of firearm.  Qualified as expert in antique firearms.  Zoom Deposition.
• State of NC vs Carlton Leake, Robeson County (2022), Felony Murder. Qualified as Crime Scene Reconstruction, Ballistics, GSW, & Trajectory/Ricochet. Trial. Not Guilty.
• State of NC vs ShaJuan Ervin, Durham County (2022), Murder in the 1^st. Qualified as Ballistic, Crime Scene, & GSR/Stippling expert.  Trial.
• State of NC vs Scott Carpenter, Wake County (2022), AwDWwIK.  Qualified as an expert in Shooting Recon, GSRp, and Firearms ID & function.  Trial. Not guilty.
• State of FL vs Dorsey Sanders, Hillsborough County (2022), Post-conviction hearing.  Qualified as a Forensic Ballistics expert in stippling/GSR on body. Hearing.
• State of SC vs Douglas Camp, Lexington County (2022), Assault.  Qualified as an expert in Forensic Ballistis and Shooting Reconstruction. Proffer.
• State of NC vs Ja’Vonta Williams, Wake County (2022), 1^st degree murder.  Qualified as an expert in Forensic ballistics, GSR , & Shooting Reconstruction.  Trial.
• State of FL vs Casto Del Rio Velez, Osceola County (2022), Stand Your Ground.  Testified as an expert in Shooting Recon and Ballistics. Deposition.
• State of FL vs Matthew Schneider, Pasco County (2021), Aggravated Assault.  Testified as an expert in Shooting Recon, Ballistics, GSR-DD, GSW, Body position. Trial testimony.
• State of Colorado vs Keith Zotto, Arapahoe County (2021), 1^st degree murder.  Testified as an expert in forensic ballistics and trigger pull.  Trial testimony.
• State of Florida vs Edema Abrakata, Gadsden County (2020), attempted murder.  Testified as an expert in general firearms operation and Glock selector switch.  Deposition.
• State of North Carolina vs Brenda McCutcheon, Buncombe County (2020), 1^st degree murder. Testified as forensic ballistic expert, GSR expert.  Trial testimony.
• State of Florida vs Jeremy Blais, Volusia County (2020), Attempted 2^nd degree murder.  Testified as forensic ballistic expert, accidental discharge, inter-limb interaction.  Deposition.
• State of Florida vs Yusuf Akkoc, Lee County (2019) felony, first degree. Testified as forensic ballistic expert/ trajectory.  Deposition.
• State of Florida vs Felipe Gomez, Hillsborough County (2019) Motion for post-conviction relief, questioning testimony of an officer.  Qualified as a forensic ballistic expert.  Hearing.
• State of North Carolina vs James Bradley Owen, Henderson County (2019) assault on officer.  Qualified as forensic ballistic expert. Daubert hearing.
• State of North Carolina vs Paul Killian, Henderson County (2019) attempted murder.  Qualified as forensic ballistic expert.  Trial.
• State of North Carolina vs Terry Barnes, Onslow County (2019) 1^ST degree murder.  Qualified as forensic ballistic expert.  Trial.
• State of Florida vs Justin Martinez, Leon County (2018) attempted murder.  Qualified as forensic ballistic expert.  Hearing.
• State of North Carolina vs Robert Bridges, Cleveland County (2018) 1^st degree murder. Qualified as forensic ballistic expert.  Trial.
• State of North Carolina vs Larry McCann, Alleghany County (2018) 1^st degree murder.  Qualified as forensic ballistic expert.  Trial.
• State of Florida vs Raynard Ford, Leon County (2018) 1^st degree murder.  Qualified as forensic ballistic expert.  Trial for prosecution.
• State of Florida vs DeShawn Bather, Polk County (2018) attempted murder.  Qualified as forensic ballistic expert.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs Tristian Bruni, Escambia County (2018) 1^st degree murder. Qualified as a forensic ballistic expert.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs Nico Gallon, Polk County (2018) Attempted 1^st degree murder. Qualified as a forensic ballistic expert/GSR. Deposition.
• State of Georgia vs Brandon Vinnanong, Mitchell County (2018) Murder Qualified as a forensic ballistic expert/comparison.  Hearing for retrial.
• State of Florida vs De’Orrick Knots, Leon County (2017) attempted murder.  Qualified as a forensic ballistics expert/trajectory.  Trial.
• State of North Carolina vs. Aaron Byers, Cleveland County (2017) 1^st degree murder.  Qualified as a forensic ballistics expert.  Trial.
• State of Florida vs. William Bradley 9^th Judicial Circuit (2017) Armed Robbery.  Qualified as a forensic ballistics expert.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs. Jimmy Bonner 1^st Judicial Circuit (2017) attempted murder.  Qualified as a forensic ballistics expert.  Trial.
• State of Florida vs Jimmy Bonner 1^st Judicial Circuit (2017) attempted murder.  Qualified as a forensic ballistics expert.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs Hiram Morales 15^th Judicial Circuit (2017) 1^st degree murder.  Qualified as a forensic ballistics expert.  Testified in court.
• State of Florida vs Hiram Morales 15^th Judicial Circuit (2017) 1^st degree murder.  Qualified as a forensic ballistics expert.  Testified in stand your ground hearing.
• State of Florida vs Cara Ryan 6^th Judicial Circuit (2017) 1^st degree murder.  Qualified as Forensic ballistics expert.  Trial testimony.  Found not guilty.
• State of Florida vs Cara Ryan 6^th Judicial Circuit (2016) 1^ST degree murder.  Qualified as Forensic ballistics expert.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs Cedric Plummer 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2016) Robbery with deadly weapon.  Qualified as a Forensic ballistics expert.  Hearing.
• State of Florida vs Curtis Wilson 5^th Judicial Circuit (2016) Murder.  Qualified as Forensic ballistics expert.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs Annastasia Moran 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2016) Attempted murder.  Qualified in Ballistics, Firearms to include air guns, Crime Scene, GSR.
• State of Florida vs Hiram Morales 15^th Judicial Circuit (2016) Murder. Subject matter expert (F/A ID/Ballistics/Shooting Reconstruction).  Deposition in NC.
• State of Florida vs David Taub, 17^th Judicial Circuit (2016).  1^st degree murder.  Firearms/Ballistics expert.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs Corey Richardson, 6^th Judicial Circuit (2015).  2^nd degree murder.  Subject matter expert (Ballistics/Shooting Reconstruction/Ricochet).  Qualified as Ballistics expert.
• State of Florida vs Alexander Richardson, 6^th Judicial Circuit (2015). 2^nd degree murder.  Subject matter expert (firearms). Qualified as a firearms/ballistics expert.
• State of Florida vs Alexander Richardson, 6^th Judicial Circuit (2015).  2^nd degree murder.  Subject matter expert (firearms).  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs Corey Richardson, 6^th Judicial Circuit (2015).  Attempted murder.  Shooting reconstruction (Ricochet) Analysis of firearm and fired/unfired ammunition components.  In person deposition.
• State of Florida vs. Reginald Jerome Smith, 1^st Judicial Circuit (2015).  Murder.  Microscopic comparison.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Craig LeBlanc, 9^th Judicial Circuit (2015).  Attempted murder.  Qualified as gunshot residue (GSR) expert.
• State of Florida vs. Emmaneul C. Wallace, 9^th Judicial Circuit (2015).  Weapons offense.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs Delvin Purifoy, 1^st Judicial Circuit (2014).  Murder.  Microscopic comparison.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs. Delvin Purifoy, 1^st Judicial Circuit (2014).  Murder.  Microscopic comparison.  Qualified as expert in firearms, crime scene, and ballistics/trajectory.
• State of Florida vs. Kyle Williams, 13^th Judicial Circuit (2014).  Murder.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs Carlos Perez, 6^th Judicial Circuit (2014).  Murder.  Subject matter expert.  Telephonic deposition.
• State of Florida vs. Carlos Perez, 6^th Judicial Circuit (2014).  Murder.  Subject matter expertise.  Qualified as gunshot residue (GSR) expert.

FDLE Casework

• State of Florida vs. Jefrey Rosario, 2^nd Judicial Cirduit (2016). Attempted Murder.  Microscopic comparisons.  Qualified as a firearm and Tool Mark expert.
• State of Florida vs. Errol Meekins, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2015).  Murder.  Ballistics expert for Defense.  Qualified as a Ballistics expert.
• State of Florida vs. Alfred E. Hawkins, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2015).  First degree murder.  Microscopic comparison.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Joshua D. Franklin, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2015).  Murder.  Microscopic comparison.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Valerie F. Blanc, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2014).  Murder.  Microscopic comparison.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Jacob A. Thomas, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2014).  Murder.  Microscopic comparison and barrel & overall measurements.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Ernest L. Grandison, 3^rd Judicial Circuit (2014).  Murder, robbery.   Microscopic comparison.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Raynard J. Ford, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2013).  Murder.  Bullet examination to provide list of firearms with similar class characteristics.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Chairty Furr, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2013).  Murder.  Microscopic comparison, serial number restoration, and distance determination.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Dennis D. Bonner, 1^st Judicial Circuit (2013).  Assault with a firearm.  Microscopic comparison.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Michael L. Crump, 1^st Judicial Circuit (2012).  Attempted murder.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Shon Thomas, Julius Hearns, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2012).  Attempted murder.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Tanner J. Collins, 14^th Judicial Circuit (2012).  First degree murder, robbery, burglary.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. John Kalisz, 5^th Judicial Circuit (2012).  Penalty phase, contributed to jury recommendation for death.  Qualified as firearm expert.
• State of Florida vs. John Kalisz, 5^th Judicial Circuit (2012).  Double first degree murder.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. John Kalisz, 5^th Judicial Circuit (2011). Double first degree murder.  Deposition.
• State of Florida vs. Kevin Eberhardt, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2012).  Attempted second degree murder.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Jose C. Cruz, 13^th Judicial Circuit (2011).  First degree murder.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Khalif Wilson, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2011).  Assault with firearm.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. James Madison, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2011).  Armed robbery with a firearm.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. William Yawn, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2010).  First degree murder.  Qualified as firearms expert.
• State of Florida vs. Johnnie A. Floyd, 2^nd Judicial Circuit (2009).  Armed robbery and shooting. Qualified as firearms expert.

Presentations & papers

• Assigned Council Program: Ask the Expert Hour – Intro to Forensic Ballistics. Presented for the Buffalo, NY Forensics Bureau. 60 minutes CLE credit.
• 2023 IDS Forensic Science Education Series – Firearms 101 (General Firearms & Forensic Ballistics Training) Webinar.  90 minutes CLE credit.

Specialized training and licenses

• “Error Rates, Statistics, and Studies – an Overview” – Todd Weller; Weller Forensics, 2023
• 53^rd Annual Association of Firearm & Toolmark Examiners Training Seminar, 2023
• “Bullet Ricochet Phenomenon” – Tritech Forensics, John Paolucci, M.S., 2023
• 52nd Annual Association of Firearm & Toolmark Examiners Training Seminar, 2022
• to Subclass Characteristics” – Nancy McCombs, 2022
• “Hi-Point Armorer’s Course” – 52^nd Annual AFTE Training Seminar, 2022
• “Bloodstain Pattern Recognition” – Tritech Forensics, Sharon Plotkin, 2021
• “Understanding Bias and Error in Forensics” – Tritech Forensics, 2021
• 51^st Annual Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners, 2021
• Remote Pilot License, certificate #4226592, Department of Transportation –  Federal Aviation Administration, Issued 17 Feb 2019
• “Bullet Deflection as a Result of Perforation, 50^th Annual Training Seminar, Mike & Luke Haag, Forensic Science Consultants, LLC, 2019
• “How to Identify Other Firarms”, 50^th Annual Training Seminar, Don O’Kelly, Gun Learn, 2019
• “Photogunmetry”, 50^th Annual AFTE Training Seminar, Aaron Brunell, 2019
• “Trajectory of Vehicles: Rods, Strings, and Lasers”, 49^th Annual AFTE Training Seminar, Jan Johnson, Forensic Pieces, 2018
• “Understanding the Math of Bullet Path Analysis”, 49^th Annual AFTE Training Seminar, Matthew Noedel, Noedel Scientific, 2018
• “Recovery of Metallic Evidence”, 49^th Annual AFTE Training Seminar, Jan Johnson, Forensic Pieces, 2018
• “Practical Shooting Incident Reconstruction”, 48^th Annual AFTE Training Seminar, Instructors Tim Scanlan & Jene Rouch JPSO Louisiana, 2017
• “Shooting Analysis and Reconstruction Training”, CSI Academy of Florida, Forensic Training Source, LLC, 2016
• “Victim Centered Death Investigation Methodology”, FDIAI Conference, LauraAj G. Pettler, PhD, 2015
• “Intimate Partner Homicide and Shooting Reconstruction Workshop”, FDIAI Conference, Laura G. Pettler, PhD, 2015
• Shooting Reconstruction Course “Designing Practical Experiments”, Ricochet, Lucien & Mike Haag, Forensic Science Consultants, LLC, 2015
• Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) Annual Conference, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019
• Forensic Technology, BRASSTRAX-3D & MATCHPOINT+ Courses, 2013
• Gun powder manufacturing plant tour (St. Marks Powder), 2013
• Emergency Response Educators and Consultants, Inc., Hazardous Material Technician Level Refresher Training, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
• Emergency Response Educators and Consultants, Inc., Florida Department of Environmental Protection ERT/FRT Full-Scale Exercise, 2012
• National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, Emergency Response to Domestic Biological Incidents Performance Level, 2011
• Armorer’s Courses (Colt, Glock, Remington and Sigarms) 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010
• Emergency Management Institute, FEMA, Introduction to the Incident Command System, Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, National Incident Management System (NIMS), National Response Framework, 2010
• AFTE, Courtroom Testimony Training, 2009
• BJA Improvised Explosive Device Awareness for First Responders, 2009
• FBI, USF Center for Biological Defense & Florida Department of Health, Weapons of Mass Destruction Training Seminar, 2009
• Florida Department of Health, First Responder Joint Training, 2009
• Completion of a 26-month training program with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in firearms identification including 16 months of coursework in development, history, assembly and disassembly of firearms and ammunition along with comparative microscopy and 10 months of casework under the supervision of qualified firearms examiners, 2006-2008
• FBI Gunpowder and Gunshot Residues School, 2008
• Laboratory Tours (West Virginia State Police, FDLE Orlando, FDLE Jacksonville, FDLE Tampa), 2007, 2008
• National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) training, 2007
• Annual Shooters Hunters & Outdoor Trade Show (S.H.O.T. show), 2007
• BATFE Serial Number Restoration Course, 2007
• BATFE Integrated Ballistics Identification System Data Acquisition, 2007
• Numerous firearms manufacturing tours (e.g., Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Sigarms, Remington, Beretta, Savage, Colt, H&R, Marlin, Desert Eagle NEF, Charter Arms), 2007
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Hazardous Materials Incidents Response Operations, 2007

Professional associations and memberships

• Member of ASTM International, committee E30 on forensic science, 2018
• Member of the International Ammunition Association, INC. (IAA), 2017
• Member of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE), 2013
• Member of the International Association for Identification (IAI), 2013
• Vendor with the Justice Administrative Commission (JAC) of Florida, 2013
• Vendor on My Florida Marketplace, 2013

Honors and awards

• Assistant State Attorney Megan McGrath Teeple, Letter of Appreciation and Commendation, 2012, 14^th Judicial Circuit.
• Assistant State Attorney Peter Magrino, Letter of Appreciation and Commendation, 2012, 5^th Judicial Circuit.
• FDLE Crime Scene Section, Distinguished Team of the Year, 2010
• FDLE, the Forensic Science Backlog Reduction Team, Reduced Forensic Science Casework Backlog, 2008

Documentaries, TV, Movies, & News Appearances

• “Moment of Truth” – TV series (2021)