My Story
Jessica Winn earned her B.A. in Chemistry and her M.S. in Forensic Science both from California State University, Fresno. While completing her Master’s, she began an internship with the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services (BFS) Fresno Laboratory. In 2008, Jessica was hired as a Criminalist by the BFS Fresno Laboratory, where she began her career in forensic alcohol analysis and seized drugs analysis. From 2010 to 2011, she attended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Firearms Examiners Academy (NFEA). In 2014, Jessica was promoted to Senior Criminalist working in multiple disciplines, including firearms and tool marks, at the BFS Fresno Laboratory. In 2019, Jessica was promoted to Criminalist Supervisor where she currently supervises the firearm and tool marks, seized drug, ignitable liquids, clandestine laboratory, and crime scene units.
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Jessica became a member of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) in 2012 and became a Distinguished member in 2016. She has been very active in AFTE, serving on the Journal Editorial Review Committee, the Training Manual Subcommittee, and multiple Training Seminar Committees. She currently serves on the AFTE Board of Directors as Membership Secretary. Jessica is a member of the California Association of Criminalists (CAC), where she serves as co-chair of the Firearm Study Group committee, and is a member Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association. In addition to this, Jessica is certified in Firearm Evidence Examination and Identification by AFTE and is also certified as a Diplomat by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) in Drug Analysis. She has also presented at several training seminars at AFTE and CAC and published in the AFTE Journal.
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Since 2020, Jessica is an adjunct faculty member at California State University, Fresno where she teaches a course in Forensic Science. She was also recently hired to teach online forensic courses with Uncover Forensics.
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Jessica has been married for over 12 years to her husband with whom she shares an eight year old son. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, arts and crafts, the beach, and Pilates. She also enjoys camping and backpacking with her family, and loves living within two hours of a beach or mountain. Additionally, Jessica teaches Pilates and cycling courses at a local Pilates studio where you can find her at least three days a week.