ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Federal, state and nearby authorities are turning to technologies in their fight against violent crime. And they are promising to prosecute crimes the technique identifies.

Through 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 method, the ATF says, can assist reveal hidden connections in between violent crimes.

“This is NIBIN, the National Integrated Ballistics Identification Network,” mentioned Forensic Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner Walter Dandridge, as he demonstrated the technique for reporters.

“We have an acquisition station to obtain fired cartridge instances, and we have a reviewing station to determine no matter whether we have a NIBIN lead or not,” Dandridge mentioned.

The technique has a extended and profitable track record, linking shell casings fired by the identical gun.

“The most vital point is that firing-pin impression that is left on the back of that shell casing,” mentioned Kavanaugh. “That is akin to a fingerprint.”

Kavanaugh mentioned he hopes much more agencies will make constant use of the NIBIN technique, and he is pledging to prosecute crimes the NIBIN technique reveals.

“More suspects will be identified. Much more suspects will be arrested. Much more violent crimes will be closed. Much more persons will be held accountable, and when much more persons see that, much more persons will be deterred from violent crime. Our communities will be safer and our citizens will really feel safer,” Kavanaugh mentioned.

Danville Police Chief Scott Booth mentioned his division has had much more than 350 NIBIN hits due to the fact 2018.

“I feel something… that can assist us determine the weapons that are becoming made use of in crimes, the quantity of weapons, if weapons are linked from distinctive crime scenes, determine offenders, all of that is invaluable information and facts to have early on in an investigation,” Booth told WDBJ7. “So we are accurate believers.”

The technique has been about due to the fact the late ‘90s, but access has been an concern, specially for smaller sized departments.

Virginia State Police have acquired the technique. Agents are now coaching at the Salem Field Workplace, and sooner or later they hope to perform with nearby departments that could advantage from the NIBIN technologies.

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