FDLE pilot program helping police reduce backlogs and catch criminals
Posted by Andre Demers on Wed, Jun 09, 2010
Last fall the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (Orlando) instituted a new program designed to reduce a 2-year backlog of firearm evidence, and identify guns that were used in multiple crimes.The program uses IBIS to enter crime scene evidence weekly.
This week the FDLE (Orlando) ballistics lab announced that their backlog has been eliminated and that they have generated 100 leads and 5 arrests.
As reported by WFTV:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement ballistics lab had a 1,200 case back log last year. Investigators were waiting six to 12 months to find out if the same gun had been used in multiple crimes.
"It was very frustrating. Criminals were out on the streets while we were waiting months and months for results," said Nanette Rudolph, FDLE.
Now, the backlogs been eliminated and Orlando police officers and Orange County deputies get results in one week thanks to a pilot program that allows the two agencies to bring in cartridge cases from recent crime scenes and have them tested immediately.
"We can help track down the criminals quicker. We find out who the shooter is, where the gun came from and tie everything together," Rudolph said.
In addition, for her work in implementing the program, Nanette Rudolph was awarded the Goddard Award of Excellence.