In recent years, crime labs in the United States have experienced increased investigations of firearms-related violent crime, retirement of experienced firearms and tool mark examiners, massive case backlogs, lack of proper staffing, and untrained entry-level examiners. Firearms and tool mark examiners perform a critical role in law enforcement, through the examination of evidence, such as shell casings and projectiles recovered from crime scenes. Their expertise helps solve violent crimes. However, until 1999 no formal training program existed for firearms and tool mark examiners on a national level. Since 1999, Federal, State, and local crime labs have sent their entry-level examiners to the ATF National Firearms Examiner Academy (NFEA). As of 2003, the NFEA has trained 38 examiners to make technical determinations and provide highly technical expert testimony regarding firearms and tool marks on recovered evidence. All NFEA training is provided to State, and local law enforcement agencies at no cost.