ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Federal, state and regional authorities are turning to technologies in their fight against violent crime. And they are promising to prosecute crimes the method identifies.
In the course of a news conference Thursday morning, U.S. Lawyer Christopher Kavanaugh touted technologies created by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
It analyzes shell casings located at crime scenes and compares them with other records in a national database. The approach, the ATF says, can support reveal hidden connections involving violent crimes.
“This is NIBIN, the National Integrated Ballistics Identification Network,” stated Forensic Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner Walter Dandridge, as he demonstrated the method for reporters.
“We have an acquisition station to obtain fired cartridge instances, and we have a reviewing station to recognize no matter whether we have a NIBIN lead or not,” Dandridge stated.
The method has a lengthy and profitable track record, linking shell casings fired by the exact same gun.
“The most critical factor is that firing-pin impression that is left on the back of that shell casing,” stated Kavanaugh. “That is akin to a fingerprint.”
Kavanaugh stated he hopes much more agencies will make constant use of the NIBIN method, and he is pledging to prosecute crimes the NIBIN method reveals.
“More suspects will be identified. Far more suspects will be arrested. Far more violent crimes will be closed. Far more individuals will be held accountable, and when much more individuals see that, much more individuals will be deterred from violent crime. Our communities will be safer and our citizens will really feel safer,” Kavanaugh stated.
Danville Police Chief Scott Booth stated his division has had much more than 350 NIBIN hits due to the fact 2018.
“I believe something… that can support us recognize the weapons that are getting made use of in crimes, the quantity of weapons, if weapons are linked from diverse crime scenes, recognize offenders, all of that is invaluable facts to have early on in an investigation,” Booth told WDBJ7. “So we are accurate believers.”
The method has been about due to the fact the late ‘90s, but access has been an situation, in particular for smaller sized departments.
Virginia State Police have acquired the method. Agents are now coaching at the Salem Field Workplace, and ultimately they hope to function with regional departments that could advantage from the NIBIN technologies.
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