The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today that Chief James Corwin and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department Regional Crime Laboratory have been recognized for recording the 100th "hit" in their use of ATF's computerized ballistic imaging system.

ATF Special Agent in Charge Mike Boxler was pleased the crime lab achieved this distinction, adding "the invaluable investigative leads gained from this advanced ballistic imaging technology have a direct impact on safeguarding the public."

Police Chief Corwin said this technology helps us achieve our goals of preventing and reducing crime. "This partnership is a great example of collaboration between federal and local agencies to impact crime," Corwin said.

ATF's National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) is a computerized ballistic imaging system that uses Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) technology to allow firearms technicians and examiners to acquire, digitize, and compare unique markings made by a firearm on bullets and cartridge casings. ATF currently deploys equipment comprising the network at 221 law enforcement forensic units throughout the United States and its territories.

NIBIN enables law enforcement agencies to discover links between evidence from multiple crime scenes more quickly, including links that would have been lost without the technology, and to identify patterned criminal activity. Since 1998, NIBIN partner agencies have imaged more than 929,000 pieces of ballistic evidence into the database and have linked at least 26,200 crime scenes. The network remains a crucial part of Project Safe Neighborhood, a national initiative against gun violence.

Corwin and Boxler both thanked the regional crime laboratory personnel for their tireless efforts in making NIBIN successful and productive in Kansas City.