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RON SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Bullet Identification - Week 1 or 2

Course Description

"Bullet Identification - Week 1 or 2" is a lecture-based instructional week. 
"Bullet Identification - Scope Work Week - Week 2 of 2" is a practical application of Week 1 of 2

This course is designed to introduce the students to the comparison of fired bullets.  Students will be exposed to measuring lands and grooves, determining caliber, and general rifling characteristics of fired bullets.  In addition, generating a list of potential firearms using available databases will be explored.  The crux of the training is to expose students to the basic understanding of how to perform bullet comparison utilizing a comparison microscope.  This course is designed to prepare students to assess rifling characteristics, manage potential subclass influences, and understand how this might impact their comparison and, most importantly, the development of the students' identification criteria to render opinions of common origin.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, the students should be able to:

  • Understand the basic terminology associated with caliber, GRC, and bullet comparison nomenclature
  • Understand the process of determining the caliber of a fired bullet
  • Understand the process of measuring lands and grooves on fired bullets
  • Understand the process of using available databases to obtain a list of potential firearm manufacturers
  • Understand the components of a fired bullet comparison
  • Understand the process of setting up bullets on the comparison microscope for examination
  • Understand the different features available for examination on fired bullets and what causes those features
  • Understand the concepts of developing a threshold criterion for comparison conclusions
  • Understand the rationale for making the different categories of conclusions that can be reached in bullet comparisons
  • Understand the ways to examine fired bullets for potential subclass influence and how to determine if that potential subclass will impact a comparison conclusion
  • Understand the evaluation criteria to develop an understanding of sufficiency as it relates to sufficient microscopic features for a conclusion to be rendered
Instructor Photo
Jeff Goudeau
MS, AFTE-FA, CSCSA

Course Logistics

Duration: 5 days
Hours: 40
Tuition: $1,000.00

Course Expectations

  • Each student is expected to be present, on time, and to participate in each assignment. 
  • Class will run from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. .
  • Exams:  There will be a 20-question written test (multiple choice)
  • Practical: There will be multiple practical exercises that the students will be provided

Must Bring to Class

  • Laptop computer for access to GRC databases

Recommended Reading

  1. Dutton, G., “Ammunition Interchangeability – A Case Study”, AFTE Journal, Vol. 31, No. 2, Spring 1999, pp. 149-152.
  2. Bullet Reference Chart – personal reference
  3. Caliber Interchangeability List – personal reference
  4. Worley, C., Williams, E., and Riccitelli, J., “Cartridge Interchangeability: 38 Smith & Wesson Caliber Cartridges Fired in 357 Sig, 40 S&W and 10mm Caliber Firearms”, AFTE Journal, Vol 47, No. 1, Winter 2015, pp. 26-29.
  5. Heard, B.J., “Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics”, Wiley Publishers, 2nd edition, 2011, Chapter 2 (Ammunition), pp. 35-72
  6. Dillon, J.H., “The Manufacture of Conventional Smokeless Powder”, AFTE Journal, Vol. 23, No. 2, April 1991, pp. 682-688.
  7. Jones, J.A., “NFSTC Training Module 5 – Small Arms Ammunition”, pp. 1-89
  8. Bydal, B.A., “Percussion Primer Mixes” AFTE Journal, Vol. 22, No. 1, January 1990, pp. 1-26.
  9. Matty, W., “Primer Composition and Gunshot Residue”, AFTE Journal, Vol. 19, No. 1, January 1987, pp. 8-13.
  10. SAAMI “Smokeless Powder: Properties and Storage”, pp.1-3.
  11. SAAMI Z299.3 “Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Centerfire Pistol and Revolver Ammunition for the use of Commercial Manufacturers”, 2015, pp. 1-189.
  12. SAAMI Z299.4 “Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Centerfire Rifle Ammunition for the use of Commercial Manufacturers”, 2015, pp. 1-363.
  13. SAAMI Z299.1 “Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Rimfire Sporting Ammunition for the use of Commercial Manufacturers”, 2018, pp. 1-82.
  14. SAAMI Z299.2 “Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Shotshell Ammunition for the use of Commercial Manufacturers”, 2015, pp. 1-114.