National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN)

NIBIN evaluates ballistic evidence to identify shooters and connect a gun to multiple crime scenes.

# 1 – Did you know?

• When a gun is fired, it leaves unique marks on the ammunition casings.  Just like a person’s fingerprints, no two firearms leave the same marks on a casing.

# 2 – Did you know?

• Today’s technology takes a 3D image of ballistic evidence and identifies possible matches to evidence from other violent crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to connect separate shooting incidents and help identify those responsible.

# 3 – Did you know?

• The network is a system of 175 sites used by federal, state and local law enforcement.  NIBIN is the most advanced forensic tool available to law enforcement to identify criminals who use guns to commit violent crimes.

175 Nationwide

• 170 NIBIN Sites
• 2 NIBIN Vans
• 3 Transportable Units

Casings from crime scenes

• 109,391 entered in calendar year 2017

Test fires from crime guns

• 181,954 in calendar year 2017

Leads identified

• 53,034 in calendar year 2017

Learn more about ATF’s NIBIN program at:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin