Caleb Flynn Trial Day 4: Sarah Stuchell's Hammer Test Found WHAT?!

Tony Brueski (0:00)

You're listening to continuing coverage in The Trial of Caleb Flynn from the Hidden Killers podcast and True Crime Today. Now, back to the courtroom.

SPEAKER_2 (0:11)

Fire with this witness.

SPEAKER_3 (0:12)

Thank you, Your Honor. Ma'am, could you please say your full name and spell it for the record?

Sarah Stuchell (0:16)

My name is Sarah Stuchell, S-A-R-A-H, S-T-U-C-H-E-L-L.

SPEAKER_3 (0:24)

And where are you currently employed?

Sarah Stuchell (0:26)

I am currently employed at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, in the Laboratory Division.

SPEAKER_3 (0:32)

What's your assignment within the Laboratory Division?

Sarah Stuchell (0:35)

I'm assigned to the Firearms and Toolmarks Unit in the Laboratory Division.

SPEAKER_3 (0:39)

What's your title?

Sarah Stuchell (0:40)

My title is Physical Scientist Forensic Examiner.

SPEAKER_3 (0:44)

And what's your official duties as a Forensic Examiner?

Sarah Stuchell (0:48)

My official duties include receiving evidence, performing toolmark examinations on that evidence, recording on my findings, and testifying when called to do so.

SPEAKER_5 (0:58)

How long have you been employed by the FBI?

Sarah Stuchell (1:02)

I joined the FBI in 2018 as an intern and have been officially employed as a full-time employee since the summer of 2019

SPEAKER_3 (1:11)

How long have you been a Toolmark Forensic Examiner?

Sarah Stuchell (1:15)

I began my training program in September of 2021 and have been fully qualified since June of 2024

SPEAKER_3 (1:23)

Could you please describe your previous experience in the FBI and how it relates to your current job as a Toolmark Forensic Examiner?

Sarah Stuchell (1:31)

I first started as an evidence analyst in the Evidence Management Unit. In this position, I learned how to work within the lab under the quality system.

I learned how evidence comes into the lab and how it is inventory as well as how it moves throughout the lab for examination purposes.

SPEAKER_3 (1:49)

What's your educational background?

Sarah Stuchell (1:51)

I have a Bachelor's of Chemistry with a minor in Forensic Science from Washington and Jefferson College.

SPEAKER_3 (1:58)

What training did you receive from the FBI to become a Toolmark Forensic Examiner?

Sarah Stuchell (2:03)

I took approximately two-and-a-half year training program. During this training program, I was issued a training manual which had a list of sign-offs or tasks that taught me the knowledge, skills, and abilities that were required for my job duties.

I was also assigned a training mentor who is a fully qualified Forensic Examiner that I worked alongside doing supervised case work with.

SPEAKER_3 (2:25)

Where did you receive that training?

Sarah Stuchell (2:27)

The majority of the training was received at the laboratory in Huntsville, Alabama, with some parts of it being received at the laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.

SPEAKER_3 (2:36)

How were you tested in these specific disciplines in order to become a Toolmark Forensic Examiner?

Sarah Stuchell (2:41)

Throughout the training program, I am issued a series of competency tests which tests my knowledge, skills and abilities that I need to perform for my job duties. And at the end of the training program, I go through a series of oral course which tests my technical knowledge as well as my work for exercises, followed by a final qualification exam.

SPEAKER_3 (3:01)

Did you pass all those tests and qualification exams?

Sarah Stuchell (3:04)

Yes, I did.

SPEAKER_3 (3:06)

Have you taken a proficiency test?

Sarah Stuchell (3:08)

Yes, I have.

SPEAKER_3 (3:10)

How often, as a Toolmark Forensic Examiner for the FBI, do you take a proficiency test?

Sarah Stuchell (3:15)

I am proficiency tested annually.

SPEAKER_3 (3:18)

What's the difference between a common competency test and a proficiency test as it relates to T-marks?

Sarah Stuchell (3:25)

A competency test is designed by the unit and given to a trainee through the training program in order to test that that trainee has been acquiring the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for their job duties. Proficiency tests are given by an external test provider after an employee has been qualified in order to ensure that they are maintaining the competencies required of the job duties.

SPEAKER_3 (3:47)

How do you stay current in your discipline?

Sarah Stuchell (3:50)

I'm required to take eight hours of continuing education per year, and alongside that, I also read articles as they are published within the discipline.

SPEAKER_3 (3:59)

How many samples have you examined over your career in the area of Toolmarks?

Sarah Stuchell (4:03)

I don't have an exact answer, but I would probably say around 2,000 samples.

SPEAKER_3 (4:09)

Does your laboratory have written protocols that govern the Toolmark examination?

Sarah Stuchell (4:13)

Yes, they do.

SPEAKER_3 (4:13)

What's the purpose of those protocols?

Sarah Stuchell (4:15)

The purpose of these protocols is to ensure that the examinations are being done in a way that follows the accreditation system, and follows the quality assurance system of the laboratory.