Ushering Out the Old & Ringing in the New: Some Thoughts on Gun Crime
Posted by Pete Gagliardi on Tue, Dec 20, 2011
In reading a series of recent news articles reporting on crimes involving the criminal misuse of firearms several points come to mind which I would like to share as we get ready to usher out 2011 and ring in 2012.
I am reminded that evidence knows no boundaries – as criminals move evidence of their crimes is left scattered across city, state and regional jurisdictions. A police officer working in one jurisdiction is dependent on what a police officer working in another jurisdiction does or does not do with the crime gun and evidence they have collected. What may seem to be an insignificant piece of data for one law enforcement agency may be the long sought after case-breaker for another.
Advances in the electronic processing and analysis of all types of firearms identification data has made the regional sharing of actionable information across widely separated jurisdictions a very sustainable process.
Advances such as crime gun information databases like eTrace and the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the United States and the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) operating in the United Kingdom help law enforcement maximize the information which can be extracted from crime guns and fired ammunition components (bullets and cartridge cases) and share it nationally. Complimentary firearm programs now in place at INTERPOL can increase the reach and range of firearms information sharing on a global scale.
On another point, it is important to note that all crime-related evidence does not start out that way.
Some of the crucial data involved in building firearms cases is generated and maintained during the normal course of everyday business. For example, in many countries firearm transaction data documenting the sale and transfer of firearms is required to be generated and maintained by law. This record keeping type data is what allows police to conduct a “crime gun trace”. Using this data, police can sometimes trace a crime gun right back into the shooter’s hands. Crime gun trace information collected over time can also be analyzed to better understand new patterns and trends in illegal gun markets.
In one recent crime I read about, a fired cartridge case from a pistol preserved by the owner proved to be the key piece of evidence in a murder case under investigation by police hundreds of miles away in another state.
Through all I see and hear, I am reminded on a daily basis that crime solving in today’s world requires a proper balance of skilled and committed people, efficient and effective processes and innovative and accessible technology. In addition, firearms related crimes in particular require the additional elements of timeliness and cross-jurisdictional reach so that the people following their processes and using their technological tools can stop armed criminals on the move before they can do more harm.
Wishing you all peace and a safer world in this New Year,
Pete Gagliardi
To read more on this subject, we would be happy to forward a complimentary copy of the book: The 13 Critical Tasks: An Inside-Out Approach to Solving More Gun Crime.
