THE TRANSFORMATIONAL TRIAGING OF CARTRIDGE CASES AND WHY

Oct 28, 2024

In the early 1990s, the manual processes of forensic ballistics analysis improved speed and sustainability with the introduction of automated ballistic identification systems (ABIS).

Automated ballistic identification systems (ABIS) harness the power of computers to capture digital images of the unique markings impressed on fired ammunition components (e.g., bullets, and cartridge cases) by the gun's internal working parts.

Unique electronic signatures in the form of algorithms are extracted from the images and stored in the system’s database. The signatures for each exhibit of the same caliber are correlated to identify possible matching pairs of exhibits in the database. They are scored and ranked in order of match probability. Then, trained personnel use the analytical tools of the ABIS system to review the correlation results. This data can provide investigators with actionable crime gun intelligence (CGI) to help them link crimes, guns, and suspects.

A “crime gun” is any firearm used in a crime or identified by law enforcement as suspected of having been used in a crime. [1]

In 1997, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initiated the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) program. Since then, U.S. law enforcement agencies have submitted recovered ballistic evidence to ATF for entry into NIBIN, via a series of networked ABIS systems consisting of IBIS ballistics technology, resulting in a national resource of crime-related ballistic data. “As of December 2021, approximately 5.2 million pieces of ballistic evidence have been entered into the system.”[2]

NIBIN Leads and Hits

When the objective of the correlation review is investigative, that is to identify timely and highly probable investigative leads, the analysis is typically based on a review of the ranked scores and the on-screen visual comparison of the images. NIBIN refers to these findings as “Leads”.[3]

When the objective of the correlation review is forensic, that is to provide forensic expert testimony to support judicial action, the analysis is typically based on a review of a combination of ranked scores, the on-screen visual comparison of the images, the retrieval and comparison of the physical exhibits under a comparison microscope or virtual comparison microscope, and peer review. NIBIN refers to these findings as “Hits”. [4]

Leads and Hits can identify crime-to-crime connections – a determination that the fired evidence collected from two or more shooting events was fired from the same gun. Leads and Hits can also identify crime gun-to-crime(s) connections – a determination that fired evidence collected from a shooting event(s) links to the test fire obtained from a recovered crime gun.[5]

“As of December 2021, NIBIN has generated approximately 630,000 leads to shooting investigations nationwide, making it an integral component of ATF’s broader CGI strategy. As of that same data, approximately 140,000 NIBIN hits have been confirmed, and these results have been used as evidence in trials or to secure guilty pleas from violent criminal offenders-shooters.”[6]

NIBIN Cartridge Case Triage

There are two pre-NIBIN processing steps - test firing and cartridge case triage – that are unavoidable because they are a foundational component of NIBIN processing.[7]

The value of the NIBIN test fire process step is obvious when identifying crime gun-to-crime connections. However, the cartridge case triage processing step requires more in-depth discussion concerning crime-to-crime connections in a timely manner.

The NIBIN cartridge case triage step involves the assessment of multiple pieces of fired cartridge case evidence collected at crime scenes to determine: 1) how many different firearms discharged them, and 2) to select the best representative sample from amongst a grouping of cartridge cases with similar firearm markings (e.g. representing a single gun) for NIBIN entry. For example, the triage process could assess a group of 10 fired 9-millimeter cartridge cases and determine: 1) that a single pistol fired them all, and 2) which of the ten would serve as the best representative sample for NIBIN entry. Alternatively, the assessment could also determine that the 10 cartridge cases were fired from two different 9-millimeter pistols, or that ten guns fired them. This step becomes much more complicated as the number of fired cartridge cases to be triaged increases and adds to the workload.

Triage Takes Time

As previously mentioned, there are two pre-NIBIN processing steps: test firing and cartridge case triage.

The test firing step is pretty straightforward. The test fire process generally does not involve the firing of more than two test-fired cartridges. Whether it’s one, two, or three, there is no question as to how many firearms were involved.

Conversely, the cartridge case triage step becomes much more complicated as the average numbers of fired cartridge cases collected at crime scenes grow.

NIBIN is largely focused on evidence and test fires from auto-loading pistols along with certain auto-loading rifles and some shotguns.

According to ATF, during the period 2017-2021, pistols were the most frequently traced crime gun accounting for 68% of crime guns traced during the period. [8]

Most pistols have standard magazine capacities typically ranging from 10 to 17 cartridges. It is not uncommon to encounter standard box magazines holding up to 30 rounds, and drum magazines of up to 100 rounds used by criminals today.

The forgoing makes it easy to understand how the number of fired cartridge cases collected by police at crime scenes is increasing, and as it does the triage process workload does too.

There is, however, a rapidly growing problem that will drastically increase the number of fired cartridge cases that police are encountering today. The internet holds crime story after crime story espousing the danger that machine gun conversion devices, such as “switches” pose to the public. Here are a few typical examples of headlines and by-lines[9]:

· Increase in Glock switches used in violent crime causing concern in Alabama by Valerie Bell, Tue, January 9, 2024.

· A rise of gun switches in crimes prompts a push for stricter laws against them/Prosecutors want more tools to charge those who possess the illegal device that turns pistols into fully automatic firearms. By Michael Tanenbaum, PhillyVoice Staff, May 20, 2024.

· They're cheap, deadly, and on the rise: Lehigh County DA warns of growing danger of gun Glock switches, LehighValleyNews.com, By Tom Shortell, Published June 12, 2024.

About the size of a quarter, they are advertised for sale on the internet for $100+, or you can make one on a 3D printer.

The graphic below shows the number of fired casings recovered from shootings in four cities - Joliet, Detroit, St. Louis, and Akron, that took place over one weekend in June of 2024. The numbers range from 25 to 100.

ATF and the National CGI Governing Board recommend that NIBIN sites follow the best practices based on the four critical steps of comprehensive collection, timeliness, investigative follow-up, and feedback.[10] The timely processing of ballistic evidence is crucial for generating actionable CGI. Investigators need fresh “hot” leads to help them solve shootings and prevent new ones by stopping criminal shooters before they have an opportunity to do more harm. Therefore, the ATF National Governing Board Best Practices Handbook for NIBIN indicates that it is imperative to triage ballistic evidence for NIBIN acquisition in a timely manner.

Triage Takes Training

Qualified firearm examiners possess the expertise in microscopy to perform cartridge case triage for NIBIN. However, in light of their many other responsibilities cartridge case triage may be best left to trained technicians.

ATF’s Training Outline and Guidelines website indicates that trainees are required to attend 4 full days of the NIBIN Triage & Acquisition Course.[11]

Training courses are offered subject to availability by ATF, LeadsOnline the NIBIN technology provider, and certain NIBIN partners authorized to conduct the training.

Certain fees may apply. For example, the ATF course is offered free for NIBIN partners at the ATF National NIBIN Correlation and Training Center, but the attendee must pay for his or her travel and living expenses. Additional costs may apply if the training is taken from an authorized private source.

Transformational Triage Technologies

As previously mentioned, there are two pre-NIBIN processing steps - test firing and cartridge case triage – that are unavoidable because they are a critical part of the general NIBIN processing.

The capability to conduct triage of fired cartridge case evidence becomes even more important when we consider that for the period 2017-2021, only 9% of all test fires had NIBIN leads, while 44% of all cartridge case evidence had a NIBIN lead.[12]

Obstacles exist such as the lack of trained triage technicians, wait lists for limited triage course offerings, and the lack of funding that can negatively impact and delay the expansion of a national ballistics network program like NIBIN. This is especially true for a small agency located far from the nearest NIBIN site trying to become an active NIBIN partner.

Automated triage technologies offer an alternative to circumventing these obstacles and avoiding delays due to the lack of trained triage technicians to conduct the pre-NIBIN process of triaging fired cartridge case evidence. They also make it possible to expand the reach and range of national ballistic data networks by allowing the fielding of data acquisition stations in more remote areas, and by making it possible for personnel without triage expertise to complete the crucial two-step processes of test firing and cartridge case triage in a timely manner.

Two commercially available cartridge case triage technologies being marketed today are:

· Ballistics IQ, a cartridge case triage solution, is marketed as the first and only automated and patented triage solution on the market, providing instant crime gun intel.[13]

· IBIS CLEARCASE, a cartridge case triage solution is marketed as a revolutionary advancement in crime gun investigation, offering ease, precision, and speed in the triage and analysis of cartridge cases.[14]

Today’s Triage Takeaways

· Data from ABIS systems and wide area networks like NIBIN can provide investigators with actionable crime gun intelligence to link crimes, guns, and suspects.

· As of December 2021, approximately 5.2 million pieces of ballistic evidence have been entered into NIBIN, producing approximately 630,000 leads to shooting investigations nationwide, and approximately 140,000 NIBIN hits have been confirmed, and used as evidence in trials or to secure guilty pleas from violent criminal offenders-shooters.

· Two pre-NIBIN processing steps - test firing and cartridge case triage – are unavoidable because they are a foundational component of NIBIN processing.

· The test fire process is straightforward and generally does not involve the firing of more than two test-fired cartridges. Even personnel untrained in triage can enter test fire data into NIBIN.

· Conversely, the cartridge case triage step becomes much more complicated as the number of fired cartridge cases collected at crime scenes increases. Only personnel trained in triage should be selecting this type of data to enter in NIBIN.

· NIBIN is mostly focused on collecting data from auto-loading pistols along with certain auto-loading rifles and shotguns. During the period 2017- 2021, ATF found that pistols were the most frequently traced crime gun accounting for 68% of all crime guns traced.

· Most pistols have standard magazine capacities typically ranging from 10 to 17 cartridges, and it is not uncommon to encounter standard box magazines holding up to 30 rounds, and drum magazines of up to 100 rounds used by criminals today.

· Machine gun conversion devices, such as “switches” are a rapidly growing problem that will drastically increase the numbers of fired cartridge cases police are encountering today.

· Timeliness is one of NIBIN’s four critical steps. As triage workloads increase so does the time it takes to do it. As workloads increase triage capacity must increase too, or backlogs and processing delays will result.

· Triage processing requires trained personnel. Obstacles exist such as the lack of trained triage technicians, wait lists for limited triage course offerings, and the lack of funding that can negatively impact and delay the expansion of a national ballistics network program like NIBIN.

· Automated triage technologies offer great promise as an alternative to circumventing these obstacles and avoiding processing delays due to the lack of trained triage technicians and increasing workloads of fired cartridge case evidence.

· Automated triage technologies also make it possible to expand the reach and range of national ballistic data networks by allowing the fielding of data acquisition stations to more remote areas and by making it possible for personnel without triage expertise to complete the crucial two-step processes of test firing and cartridge case triage in a timely manner.