The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) has appointed Mr. Martinez as the the Subcommittee Chair on Gunshot Residue on October, 2014.

The Subcommittee on Gunshot Residue will focus on standards and guidelines related to analyses of evidence that results from the deposition of or physical transfer of small or minute quantities of gunshot residue. http://nist.gov/forensics/osac/sub-gsr.cfm
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Thank you for visiting the official website of Michael V. Martinez, MSFS- Forensic Scientist Supervisor specializing in the analysis and legal interpretation of Trace Evidence.


In 2005, Mr. Martinez was honored as one of the top "20 Scientists Who Have Helped Shape Our World". This prestigious acknowledgment was presented by The National Science Resources Center-NSRC, an organization formed by the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Academies in 1985.

Mr. Martinez has been invited as a distinguished guest lecturer on the subject of primer gunshot residue (P-GSR) to European Union members of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) Conferences held in Germany, Denmark and Croatia.

Mr. Martinez has also provided lectures to the Congress of the Brazilian Society for Microscopy and Microanalysis (CBMM) and provided highly specialized training to the Royal Thailand Police (RTP) and Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS).

In addition, Mr. Martinez has given a well received lecture to the Microscopy and Microanalysis Conference in San Antonio.

Mr. Martinez is held in high regard as a guest lecturer, trainer and consultant to many interested in the Forensic aspects of Forensic Trace Evidence Analysis and currently sits as co-chairman to the newly formed Scientific Working Group of Gunshot Residue (SWGGSR), and is a distinguished member in good standing with the Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS).
Mr. Martinez has also been featured on three episodes of the critically acclaimed, award winning television series Forensic Files seen in 142 countries worldwide and distributed in the United States on TruTV .

"Forensic Files is a pioneer in the field of fact-based, high-tech, dramatic storytelling. This series of television programs delves into the world of forensic science, profiling intriguing crimes, accidents, and outbreaks of disease from around the world."

Episodes featuring Mr. Martinez are:

  • CRITICAL MANEUVER; episode 285
  • INSULATED EVIDENCE; episode 297
  • SHATTERED INNOCENCE; episode 313

Mr. Martinez has also provided his experience in an advisory capacity to CNN Headline News the Nancy Grace show.


Mr. Martinez provides forensic services in criminal investigation cases for over 160 law enforcement agencies throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Louisiana, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, New York, New Jersey, for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Royal Cayman Islands Police Force, and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.

In addition, Mr. Martinez is a court accepted expert witness for many state and local municipalities in Texas, Nevada, Minnesota, Washington, Louisiana, New York, South Dakota, for the U.S. Federal Courts, the United Kingdom/British West Indies of the Cayman Islands and has provided expert consultation and/or testimony to many high profile criminal cases.

Specific areas of expertise include microscopic characteristics and comparisons of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, human hair and animal hair identification, primer gunshot residue (P-GSR) analysis, gunshot residue- (GSR) distance determination and gunpowder identification, explosive residue identification, post-blast investigation and collection of evidence, physical match comparisons, forensic glass analysis and comparison, paint identification and composition, digital photography and general crime scene processing.
About the Author

Michael V. Martinez is a Forensic Scientist Supervisor in charge of the Trace Evidence Section for the Bexar County Criminal Investigation Laboratory located in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Martinez has earned a Masters of Science Degree in Forensic Science (MSFS) as well as an extensively impressive array of specialized training achieved throughout his successful career in the field of Forensics (view certificates).

Mr. Martinez presides as president and founder of the International Association
for Microanalysis (IAMA), co-chairman
for the Scientific Working Group for Primer Gunshot Residue (SWGGSR), distinguished member in good standing and former the board of directors for the Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS), has served on the education and training committee and vendor co-chair for the Technical Working Group for Fire and Explosives(TWGFEX), and is credited for developing the first Texas state accredited academic associates degree program in Forensic Science for San Antonio College (SAC).

Volunteer Experience

In addition, Mr. Martinez has also contributed extensively to the volunteer community. His experience would
include serving as a Crisis Center suicide prevention counselor (1995-1996), American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (1984), American Red Cross Health and Safety Instructor (1991-1997), American Red Cross Disaster Service specialized technician and instructor (1993-2004) and American Red Cross CPR and First Aide Instructor Trainer (2000-2005).