Abstract:
Methods for linking multiple events involving firearms submit event information data and firearms information data to a system that includes a database for multiple firearms events and generate a query map that correlates data in the system database with a preselected geographical grid based upon one or more preselected matching criteria to one or more data entries for a selected event. The map is used to generate a request for a possible link analysis (e.g., a NIBIN analysis) which may be initiated by a firearms examiner and is then performed to determine if there is a link. The event information data can include a case number, a geographical location data entry, a date entry, a crime type, a weapon involved and a suspect information data field based upon input from an investigating officer while the firearms information data can include a weapon data entry (such as a weapon type and caliber) and a bullet data entry (such as a lands and grooves entry, a direction of twist entry, a lands measurement and a grooves measurement) based upon input from a person with firearms examiner training. The methodology can be used to prioritize multiple requests for a possible link analysis based upon information obtained in one or more query responses and the query response can display at least some of its information in a query map that correlates data in the system database with a preselected geographical grid.