NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition Package

The Tempe Police Department is seeking JAG Grant Funding assistance to purchase a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Cartridge Cases Acquisition Package for deployment within the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Department.  The Tempe Police Department has responded to and investigated an increasing number of firearms-related offenses within its jurisdiction.  Nearly all firearms-related offenses conclude prior to police arrival and suspects often initially evade apprehension by responding Officers.  To develop probable cause for suspects who use firearms, a follow-up investigation must be completed by Detectives.  The follow-up investigations include the collection of expended cartridges and the entry of those cartridges into an Integrated Ballistic Identification System.

Each cartridge fired by a firearm leaves microscopic forensic evidence that will forever link that cartridge to the firearm used.  In essence, there is a unique fingerprint left on every expended cartridge by a firearm.  Currently, the Tempe Police Department’s NIBIN Detective or a certified Forensic Technician must collect evidentiary cartridges and transport those cartridges to another jurisdiction (e.g., Mesa, Phoenix) for analysis during normal business hours.  This creates a significant delay in the potential identification and apprehension of violent suspects.     

A NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition Package allows the Tempe Police Department the opportunity to participate in automated ballistic identification.  Automated ballistic identification provides timely and actionable intelligence for the investigation of firearms-related offenses which has directly contributed to the arrest of thousands of violent criminals across the nation.  The NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition Package uses specialized 3D microscopy to capture the unique markings left by firearms on fired bullets and cartridge cases.  The images are stored and compared against a known database of NIBIN related evidence using proprietary algorithms to produce investigative leads.   This instrument is unique in that it allows participating agencies the ability to collaborate on case seamlessly without having to access physical evidence.  The NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition Package has been accepted for charging purposes by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for firearms-related offenses.

The NIBIN Cartridge Cases Acquisition Package will significantly decrease the time needed to collect crucial forensic evidence related to violent firearms-related offense and will likely increase the apprehension rate of violent offenders by the Tempe Police Department.