Gun crime is an issue that continues to plague our communities. Law enforcement and justice professionals are doing everything they can to prevent gun crimes and resolve them when they happen. Unfortunately, there are restrictions, including human limitations, that get in the way of speedy case management and resolution.

There are two presenters and resource speakers on today’s episode. They will talk about maximizing the potential of ballistic imaging technology to hasten the investigation process and expedite the serving of justice. Ron Nichols from the Nichols Forensic Science Consulting is our first presenter. Ron has been in the forensic science field for more than 30 years and is now an internationally acclaimed resource in the firearm and toolmark discipline, providing training and consultancy for national and international bodies. Ryan Wyant, our second speaker, is no stranger to forensic sciences with his experience in the field going as far back as 1995. He currently serves as the supervisor for the firearm and toolmark section of the Seattle Patrol Crime Laboratory.

Ron discusses the framework of justice, ballistic technology, and the scope of duty and responsibility of forensic scientists. Meanwhile, Rick provides how forensic science and ballistic technology is being utilized in the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab to resolve gun crime cases and its impact on their agency. The webinar course also touches on the following areas:

• A brief history of ballistic technology and timeline management for crime labs.
• How compartmentalizing and operating on boxes tend to create detachment with law enforcers.
• The results of detachment and the reasons why it’s better to expand outside our boxes.
• The different ways to expand an individual and organization’s boxes through:
  • A clear understanding of the responsibility and entrustment of forensic science.
  • Distinguishing the need for collaboration, not just mere cooperation.
  • Discerning among what is essential, important and desirable within the processes being performed.
  • Understanding data and knowing the difference between accurate ones and bad data.
  • Moving beyond tradition and being adaptable to change.
  • Practicing flexibility and allowing room for adjustments.
  • Starting small and building the processes and operations based on the results and developments
• Case studies that serve as practical samples of the benefits of maximizing ballistic technology.
• Understanding the objectives and commitment of transformational forensics for the greater good.
• How the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab initiated and maximize NIBIN and IBIS in their agency.
  • Laying the ground for the utilization of NIBIN in their crime lab division.
  • The goals they set their eyes on when they initiated the program.
  • The obstacles that Rick’s team encountered prior using the NIBIN system.
  • How they enacted the goals of the NIBIN program through internal processes and policies.
  • How collaboration took place between the crime lab and task force.
• The approaches that the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab took to maximize the technology’s capabilities
• The various education and training services enacted and materials made available to ensure everyone is onboard, informed and educated about the NIBIN system
• The successes that the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab had after enforcing their forensic science program as illustrated through case studies and statistics.

Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology is a leader in forensic analysis providing innovative and effective solutions like its unique technology: the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS®). IBIS is designed to find the “needle in the haystack” by discovering matches between pairs of spent bullets and cartridge cases at speeds well beyond human capacity. Forensic Technology helps experts obtain timely information so they can make society a safer place.