CGIC
The Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC)
The CGIC uses NIBIN Technology, Crime Gun Tracing, and Law Enforcement partnerships to identify shooters, disrupt criminal activity, and prevent future violence.
National Integrated Information Network (NIBIN)
NIBIN is a database system that captures, stores, and correlates digital images of spent cartridge casings recovered from crime scenes and test-fired firearms. NIBIN searches for other entries with similar tool marks and thus may have been fired from the same gun. This correlation process creates hit reports that have tactical and strategic uses for law enforcement. Law enforcement investigators can use it to link crimes, which can help to identify suspects. They can also use it to understand patterns of gun crime, such as gun sharing and trafficking. For more information see the Utah Crime Lab’s webpage.
Crime Gun Tracing – ATF eTrace
The CGIC traces the origins of firearms recovered in criminal investigations via the The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) eTrace platform. Firearms tracing through eTrace is the systematic tracking of a recovered firearm from its manufacturer or importer and subsequent introduction into the distribution chain (wholesaler/retailer) to an unlicensed purchaser. A firearms trace is conducted when a law enforcement agency recovers a firearm at a crime scene and requests information regarding its origin to develop investigative leads. That information is used to link a suspect to a firearm in a criminal investigation; to identify potential traffickers; and, when sufficient comprehensive tracing is undertaken in a given community, to detect interstate, intrastate and international patterns regarding the sources and types of crime guns. (Source: ATF)
How CGIC Works
SIAC CGIC Analysis
The SIAC CGIC Analysts provide timely intelligence by adhering to the following core concepts
- Collect – The top priority is to collect information from NIBIN, firearms tracing, and police reports for respective hits and leads. Supplemental information such as social media, cell phone, and network analysis is collected as needed.
- Analyze – CGIC Analysts work with federal, state, and local investigators to analyze and assess available information to provide actionable intelligence. The intelligence reports contain key findings of analysis such as maps, link charts, and person/suspect profiles.
- Track – Each hit/lead is tracked to ensure appropriate investigative follow up on hits/leads.
- Support – Analysts work with investigators and prosecutor throughout the course of a case and can provide higher-level intelligence analysis as warranted