Inside the Science of Firearms: Forensic Experts Gather at CRPC
Toniann Rebick | Published on 3/19/2026
On March 12, Coast Rifle and Pistol Club hosted a unique and highly specialized group: the Gulf Coast Firearms and Toolmark Examiners Study Group. With approximately 25 attendees, the meeting brought together forensic firearms examiners, shooting reconstructionists, crime scene professionals, and IBIS technicians—people whose work directly supports law enforcement investigations.
Their mission is both technical and critical: applying a combination of scientific analysis and firearms expertise to help solve crimes and present findings in court. These are the professionals who examine evidence, reconstruct shooting events, and ultimately testify in legal proceedings involving firearms.
Learning Beyond the Lab
A key goal of the group is to expand their knowledge beyond day-to-day casework by engaging with experts from across the firearms and ammunition industries. Two industry representatives provided in-depth presentations during the meeting. One presenter from Barrett (a leading manufacturer of large-caliber, shoulder-fired rifles) brought a hands-on display of three firearms:
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M107A1 (.50 BMG)
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MRAD (6.5 Creedmoor)
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MRADELR (.416 Barrett)
Along with the firearms, he provided corresponding ammunition to demonstrate the scale and purpose of each platform. The discussion focused on design intent and operational use—firearms engineered for precision, range, and specialized missions.
While these platforms are rarely encountered in criminal cases, understanding their design and capabilities gives forensic professionals a broader context for evaluating evidence. Attendees were even given the opportunity to fire the MRADELR on the range, adding a practical dimension to the learning experience.
Understanding Ammunition Performance
A second presentation from The Kinetic Group (the parent company of Remington, Federal, CCI, Speer, Fiocchi, and others) shifted the focus to ammunition—specifically how bullets are designed for specific behaviors in real-world conditions.
Topics included:
This portion of the meeting aligned closely with the group’s daily work, offering insight into how different bullet designs perform and how those characteristics can be interpreted during forensic analysis.
Real Cases, Real Impact
In addition to industry presentations, several members of the study group shared case-based presentations drawn from their own work. These ranged from foundational forensic techniques—such as matching bullet rifling patterns to a specific firearm—to more unusual scenarios, including analyzing ammunition that had been exposed to fire.
These presentations highlighted the real-world challenges faced by forensic examiners. The group often encounters a wide range of firearms in their work, from inexpensive consumer models to improvised or even 3D-printed guns—far removed from the high-end platforms showcased earlier in the day.
A Unique Use of CRPC Facilities
Hosting this group reflects the versatility of CRPC’s facilities and its role as more than just a shooting range. It serves as a place where education, training, and professional collaboration can take place at a high level.
The Gulf Coast Firearms and Toolmark Examiners Study Group continues to seek knowledge from subject-matter experts across the firearms and ammunition fields. Anyone with specialized expertise who may be interested in presenting can contact the group at rebickforensics@gmail.com
Toniann Rebick is a member of Coast Rifle and Pistol Club and is the Team Lead for the Mississippi Forensic Laboratory, located across the street from CRPC.