National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN)

The SDFL's firearms section participates with the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is a networked, computer database of fired cartridge casing and bullet images for forensic laboratories. NIBIN was developed to assist firearm examiners link criminal activity and solve open firearm cases by allowing the comparison of evidence with fired bullets, cartridge casings, shotgun casings, and firearms recovered in other cities and states. Images of bullets and cartridge casings are electronically scanned and stored using a microscope connected to the system. The system has the ability of rapidly comparing the new images with the images in the regional and national databases. The firearm examiner visually compares the images to determine if there is a hit. A hit means that an image of the cartridge casing or bullet has been identified to another cartridge casing or bullet in the NIBIN system. If there is a hit, the firearm examiner will notify each agency that a NIBIN hit has been made and provide contact information to the investigators.

The types of cases that should be entered into the system would be shootings that have the potential of being serial in nature, such as homicides, gang-type shootings, drive-by shootings, drug-related shootings and robberies. Firearms confiscated from Interstate travelers, known gang members, and drug users and dealers should be test-fired and entered into the system. Individuals submitting firearms, casings and/or bullets to be entered into the system should complete a SD Forensic Laboratory Request for Examination form* indicating that a NIBIN entry is desired.

NIBIN has proven to be an integral program utilized within crime laboratory firearm sections across the nation. These agencies are getting "hits" on NIBIN; thereby providing information to the law enforcement agencies that can be used to track down criminal activity and solve cases. We encourage Law Enforcement to use the SD Forensic Lab NIBIN database program by providing firearms, cartridge/shell casings and/or bullets to the lab when you have investigations of this nature.

To learn more about NIBIN or to make arrangements to have evidence or firearms entered and searched in the database contact Criminalist Jim Stotts at the SD Forensic Lab at (605) 773-3673.

• South Dakota Firearm Laws (55K PDF)

* Note: The Lab Request for Examination form is a 135K PDF document that may be completed on-line.