National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) is the only interstate automated ballistic imaging network in operation in the United States. It enables an integrated investigative approach, providing a platform on which federal, state, local, territorial and tribal law enforcement agencies can gain access to technology which compares images of ballistic evidence obtained from crime scenes and recovered firearms to combat firearm violence across jurisdictional boundaries. NIBIN is a proven investigative intelligence tool that can identify leads that were not previously available, link ballistic evidence from multiple crime scenes together that were committed with the same firearm, and link ballistic evidence from a crime scene to a recovered firearm.
NIBIN Partner Sites
ATF has worked to place the program in strategic locations across the country, such as police departments, federal law enforcement agencies and crime labs to allow local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies to submit fired cartridge casings and seized crime firearms into the network and quickly identify possible leads.
As of October 2024, there are 378 active NIBIN sites across the United States, including 31 ATF sites.
NIBIN National Correlation and Training Centers (NNCTC-I and NNCTC-II)
The NIBIN National Correlation and Training Centers (NNCTC) conduct ballistics image correlations, providing vital leads quickly for ATF's Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs) as well as law enforcement partners across the country, allowing investigators to focus on solving violent firearm related crimes.
When an NNCTC partner NIBIN site acquires crime evidence or a test-fired cartridge case, the images are uploaded to NIBIN, and a correlation request is generated at the NNCTC. If a potential match is found, the lead undergoes a multi-faceted review before confirmation. All NIBIN leads have a 24-to-48-hour turnaround time.
In response to high demand, ATF opened the National Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence which houses a second NNCTC location at Wichita State University. This location provides a mutually beneficial relationship, passing forensic science knowledge and skills from ATF's Crime Gun Intelligence (CGI) programs to students and faculty, as well as potential recruitment opportunities for ATF with interested students.
In fiscal year 2024, the NNCTCs reviewed more than 422,000 correlation requests and have generated more than 139,000 leads. Since its inception in 2016, the NNCTCs reviewed more than 1.8 million correlation requests and have generated more than 573,000 leads, assisting investigators across the country.
The NNCTCs currently have the capacity to process more than 2,000 correlation reviews a day, servicing almost 400 NIBIN sites and providing NIBIN leads to more than 3,000 police departments that contribute evidence to these partner agencies.
Hours of Operation
NNCTC-I (Huntsville, AL)
- Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 to 11:30 p.m. CST*
NNCTC-II (Wichita, KS)
- Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST*
*Both NNCTC locations provide urgent call out services as needed.
Training
ATF's NNCTCs offer NIBIN training to local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement partners who have access to NIBIN. The training offered includes triage, acquisition, correlation review, as well as a NIBIN trainer course, in which approved users learn how to train other law enforcement on triage and acquisition training.
The University Police Partnership Program allows for law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories across the country to train interns on NIBIN and CGI, creating a force-multiplier for resource-strapped departments.
All courses taught by the NNCTCs are free of charge to the requesting agency and offered in person at either of the NNCTC locations or virtually, from a local NIBIN site. All travel-related costs such as airfare, car rental, lodging and per diem are the responsibility of the agency receiving the training.
Contact
E-mail: NNCTC-Training@atf.gov
National Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence
The ATF National Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence in Wichita provides investigative techniques, technical application, and the newest systems in CGI for federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. It is home to both NNCTC-II and the National Crime Gun Intelligence Governing Board, which leverages the collective experience of federal, state, and local experts working in forensics, law enforcement, and criminal law to ensure that ATF receives valuable input on national programs relating to CGI.
NIBIN Enforcement Support System (NESS)
The NIBIN Enforcement Support System (NESS) is a web-based tool designed to help reduce gun violence by supporting the identification, investigation, and prosecution of shooters and their sources of illegal firearms.
NESS automatically imports NIBIN data, providing criminal investigators, intelligence specialists and crime analysts with near real-time insights into connected violent crimes. By combining NIBIN data with information on shootings and firearm recoveries, NESS helps generate valuable investigative leads, all within a single platform.