As described by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), CGICs are considered an interagency collaboration focused on the immediate collection, management, and analysis of crime gun evidence, such as shell casings, in real time, in an effort to identify shooters, disrupt criminal activity, and prevent future violence. The primary outcome of these centers is identifying armed violent offenders for investigation and prosecution. Other outcomes include: the identification of crime gun sources, efficient resource allocation, providing decisionmakers with the most accurate crime data available, and increasing case closure rates, public safety, and gun crime prevention.
This program is based on the ATF Governing Board's CGIC best practices coupled with proactive law enforcement practices that provide timely NIBIN information that promotes relevant real-time investigative leads in an effort to identify individuals considered the shooters requiring state and/or federal prosecution. Coupled with effective evidenced-based interventions such as Focused Deterrence and Hotspot Policing, these initiatives aim to decrease the incidences of gun crime; improve gun crime investigation, clearance rates, and prosecutorial outcomes; and increase public trust and confidence in law enforcement through effective community engagement.
CGICs require an intensive, ongoing collaboration between the ATF, local police department, the local crime laboratory, probation and parole, local police gang units, prosecuting attorneys, U.S. Attorney's Office, crime analysts, community groups, and academic organizations.
Denver's Crime Gun Intelligence Center Taskforce
A unique law enforcement collaboration in Denver targeting gun crimes by using real-time forensic ballistic information to tie crimes together to help reduce violent crime.
CGIC Work Flow (7-Step Process)
For purposes of this program, the following are defined:
- Crime Gun - any firearm possessed or used, or intended to be used, during or in relation to a crime.
- eTrace -Electronic Tracing System. Internet-based system that allows participating law enforcement agencies to submit firearm traces to the ATF National Tracing Center (NTC).
- NIBIN - National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. ATF's NIBIN is the only interstate ballistic identification system that allows law enforcement partners to associate ammunition casings, crime guns, and crime scenes.
- NIBIN Lead - a linkage of two or more gun crimes (shooting, crime gun recovery) through the utilization of NIBIN technology.
- Nibin Hit -a confirmed linkage of two or more gun crimes (shooting, crime gun recovery) through the utilization of NIBIN technology made by two certified firearms examiners.
- CGI Targeting - this is the definitive outcome of CGIC, which enables the identification of violent offenders, gun crime trends, gun crime density areas, at risk Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) or gun dealers, and crime gun sources. The process enables precise investigative and enforcement strategies and enhances prosecution efforts.
Essential Elements of a CGIC
Although CGIC operations may vary depending on jurisdiction, the following- as taken from a Police Chief Magazine article on the Denver Gun Crime Intelligence Center - are considered essential elements of a CGIC.