Knoxville, TN (WOKI) – The Knoxville Police Department’s Forensics Unit has received Gold Standard recognition from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after a recent assessment of how the unit handles firearm and ballistic evidence.
The ATF found that KPD’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) site meets and exceeds all federal requirements and has earned a “Gold Standard” classification. This designation means the department processes all fired shell casings and other ballistic evidence within two days of receiving it. This vital work helps investigators to solve crimes quickly and positively impact gun violence across the region.
During the assessment period, KPD firearms examiners processed 572 pieces of ballistic evidence in just 20 days. On average, evidence was entered into the national system in less than three days, well within the highest performance benchmarks set by the ATF.
“I am extremely proud of the attention to detail and hard work our firearms examiners put into examining every piece of evidence,” said Investigations Bureau Deputy Chief Joe McHale. “Their work plays a critical role in identifying suspects, connecting cases and improving public safety throughout Knoxville.”
NIBIN is a national database that helps law enforcement agencies link firearm evidence to crime scenes across the country. By digitally imaging markings left on fired shell casings, investigators can identify when the same gun may have been used in multiple crimes. KPD’s NIBIN site processes evidence for approximately 30 agencies in our region.
In 2024, KPD received a $700,000 federal grant aimed at strengthening its ability to identify individuals involved in violent crime, the guns used in those crimes and where the firearms came from. The funding, provided through the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Integration Initiative, allowed KPD to establish a Crime Gun Intelligence Center in partnership with the ATF.
