Ray Barnwell

Ray Barnwell retired from the York County Sheriff’s Office, in South Carolina Dec. 2019, where his final role was Forensic Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner. He has over 25 years of Law Enforcement experience; 12+ years as a road officer and supervisor, 13 years as a Forensics Investigator (CSI and Firearms Examiner). Concurrently, he also served 15 years on SWAT as the Sniper Team Leader. Ray is the recipient of multiple department awards and citations; including Officer of the Year 2005. Prior to entering the public sector, he served 6 years in the USAF as a Security Police officer and is a Desert Shield/Storm Combat 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 and a SC state CWP instructor. He has written lesson plans for several tactical schools, hosted and was the Lead Instructor for 11 Basic Sniper Schools at the York County Sheriff’s Office with attendees from all over the country.
As a qualified Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner, Ray has received over 1500 hours of forensic ballistics training. He is a member of AFTE, IAI, IALEFI, ILEETA, and the NRA and many other associations. He has testified as an expert witness in state and federal courts. He has trained others on firearm examination and has provided expert evidentiary review in criminal and civil cases throughout the southeast US.