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Forms and Documents

For all Firearms & Toolmark requests, the following forms must be completed and submitted to the FAC.

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Important

  • Any ammunition seized with a restricted or prohibited firearm must be submitted for analysis when a Section 95 Criminal Code charges is being pursued. Refer to Listing Exhibits below to add the ammunition to the request.

  • Always ensure firearms are proven safe before shipping. Live ammunition must NEVER be shipped together with firearms. Refer to Shipping Firearm and Ammunition for more information.

  • Reminder --> Each firearm approved for NFLS analysis requires a PAIN transfer to the applicable NFLS laboratory prior to examinations being performed. The applicable NFLS PAIN number will be provided at approval by FAC.

  • Ensure all required fingerprinting and/or swabbing for DNA is completed prior to submitting exhibits for analysis.

  • Bone or cartilage samples for toolmark examination must be submerged in normal (0.9%) saline solution [9g salt dissolved in 1000ml water] and frozen. If freezing is not possible, ensure:

    • refrigeration in 0.9% normal saline prior to shipping, and​

    • ship using overnight courier; avoiding shipping on Friday or just prior to a holiday to ensure a prompt receipt of delivery.

  • All findings related to the examination of firearms are based on the condition, as received.

Listing Exhibits

Exhibits included on the C-414 form must be listed as follows:

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Restricting the number of conventional firearms submitted is generally not required

Firearm and a single magazine seized together (magazine is inserted in the firearm):

  • Remove the ammunition from the firearm’s chamber; itemize/package this as one exhibit separate from other ammunition.

  • Remove the ammunition from the magazine; itemize/package this ammunition as one exhibit.

  • Itemize/package the firearm and a single magazine together as one exhibit.

Example of listing a Firearm and a single magazine seized together on the C-414

 Firearm and magazine are separated and/or multiple magazines are seized:

  • Itemize/package the firearm and each magazine as a separate exhibit; ammunition can either remain itemized/packaged with magazine (when found inside) or separately. 

  • DO NOT place the ammunition back in a magazine after removing. 

Example of listing a firearm and magazine seized separatley on the C-414

From Shooting scenes: List ALL seized expended ammunition components or live ammunition.

  • Multiple expended cartridge cases, bullets, shotshells, shotshell wads: Itemize/package each component as separate exhibits.

  • Bullet fragments / pellets: Itemize/package those from a single point of impact as one exhibit.​

NOT from shooting scenes: Live ammunition (boxes, loose, etc.)

  • Itemize/package up to 3 cartridges of a single calibre as a single exhibit; indicate if more are available.

Example of listing 10 or less ammunition cartridges of the same type on the C-414

  • If large amounts of loose ammunition make is difficult to separate by type (i.e. a bag of loose, miscellaneous ammunition), the entire package can be itemized as a single exhibit.

Example of listing many ammunition cartridges of various types on the C-414

  • If comparison of expended components to a firearm or a range determination examination is requested, list all seized live ammunition - do not limit to 3 cartridges but do indicate the amount (or approximate amount if more than 10 are available).

Example of listing 10 or less ammunition cartridges of the same type on the C-414
Example of listing many ammunition cartridges of the same type on the C-414

Range Determination, Impact Damage Assessment, Trajectory, etc.

  • List the outer layer of clothing with suspected gunshot damage, each item as a single exhibit.

  • List photos from autopsy as an exhibit (in disc or USB flash drive format), specifically of wounds associated to gunshot damage.

  • Indicate that a pathologist report is available and ensure a copy is included with the exhibits when shipping.

    • If a report is not available, describe the location of entrance and exit wounds in the synopsis of the C-414.​

 Air/CO2 guns:

  • Remove any CO2 canisters from the gun (Regardless of whether they are full or empty); do not ship any canisters with the exhibits.

  • In the case of a Use Offence, list any seized projectiles (BB, pellets, etc.) as an exhibit. 

  • In the case of Possession Offences, projectiles of this type (BB, pellets, etc.) are not accepted.

  • Clips and/or magazines used to hold projectiles or CO2 canisters must be submitted with the air gun.

Test fire samples:

  • Itemize/package samples from a single firearm as one exhibit. For multi-barrel firearms, test fires from each barrel is a separate exhibit and needs to be identified accordingly on the Firearms & Toolmark Identification Check Sheet

  • Ensure each item is individually wrapped within its package to avoid contact during shipping. 

Toolmark Examination

  • When applicable, list photos from autopsy as an exhibit (in disc or USB flash drive format), specifically of wounds associated the item in question. 

Description of Services

The following provides brief descriptions of the services provided by the Firearms & Toolmark Identification program.

Legal classification

Examination of a firearm, ammunition or part/accessory to determine whether it meets the legal definition as per the Criminal Code.

Mechanical assessment

An exhibit is examined to determine its operability upon receipt; and, depending on the condition of the exhibit, perform and/or articulate necessary repairs that would restore the exhibit to its as-designed state.

Cartridge component comparison

Comparison of fired cartridge components (e.g. expended cartridge cases, fired bullets, expended shotshells) to determine whether they were discharged in/from a suspect firearm or, in the absence of a firearm, whether they were discharged in/from a single firearm.

Investigative Aid (Screening)

Screening fired cartridge components (where no firearm is recovered and a suspect(s) has not been identified), presumptively determining same source, and uploading exemplars onto the Canadian Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (CIBIN).

Probable Make and Type

Examining fired cartridge components (where no firearm is recovered) and determining probable make, model, type, and/or calibre of firearm in/from which they were discharged.

Impact Damage Assessment & Range Determination

Determining whether there is damage present consistent with impact from a projectile discharged from a firearm, and if so, estimating the muzzle-to-target distance at the time of discharge.

Serial Number Restoration

Determining whether a serial number existed at one time, and employing restorative techniques to effaced or obliterated serial numbers in attempt to recover them.

IBIS

Submission of fired cartridge components from shooting scenes or test fired samples from a suspect firearm to be uploaded and searched on the Canadian Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (CIBIN).

NIBIN

Submission of fired cartridge components from shooting scenes or test fired samples from a suspect firearm to be uploaded and searched on the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). This is only to be used when there is a suspected linkage to criminal activity in the United States.

Physical Match 

Examining whether two or more objects where at one time joined together.

Toolmark Comparison

Comparison of toolmarks to determine whether they were created by a suspect tool or, in the absence of a tool, whether they were produced by a single tool.

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