Firearms Unit

Forensic Scientists assigned to the Firearms Unit conduct examinations of firearms and toolmark evidence to determine if a specific firearm or tool was used in a crime. This is completed through the comparison of cartridge cases, bullets, and toolmarks on other evidence items to test samples using a comparison microscope. Additional examinations that are completed by the Firearms Unit include firearm function testing, muzzle to target distance determinations, ejection pattern testing, serial number restoration, and shooting incident reconstruction. Trained personnel also enter fired cartridge cases into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which compares evidence from crime scenes with other incidents to identify potential links.

 

 

The Firearms Unit enters fired cartridge cases collected from crime scenes and produced from test fires of evidence firearms into NIBIN to ascertain if there were any other firearms related crimes committed with the firearm in question.
The Firearms Unit enters fired cartridge cases collected from crime scenes and produced from test fires of evidence firearms into NIBIN to ascertain if there were any other firearms related crimes committed with the firearm in question.
Firearms Unit members test fire evidence firearms in the Forensic Laboratory’s full size gun range to perform function testing and produce fired cartridge casings to search in the NIBIN database.
Firearms in Forensics