Ballistic imaging equipment deployed in 22 agencies

Ballistic imaging equipment used by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) recently was deployed in 22 state and local law enforcement agencies.

NIBIN is the nation’s only crime gun ballistic network. It compares firearms recovered by law enforcement with images of cartridge casings recovered at crime scenes to identify shooters and connect shooting incidents.

The network is part of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence strategy which uses multiple technologies to identify criminal shooters. There are 25 Crime Gun Intelligence Centers nationwide.

“Crime Gun Intelligence, including the timely use of the NIBIN network, is the cornerstone of ATF’s violent crime reduction strategy,” Thomas Brandon, ATF deputy director, said. “By deploying equipment to these 22 law enforcement agencies, investigators will now receive investigative leads within 48 hours. They will have new opportunities to disrupt the shooting cycle and make our communities safer.”

Six agencies received equipment to expand their crime gun intelligence programs, and 16 agencies received NIBIN equipment for the first time. Equipment will allow more efficient processing of firearm-related violent-crime evidence and will fill in gaps in intelligence and investigative networks.

The Department of Justice awarded $5 million to encourage local jurisdictions to identify unlawfully used firearms.