Firearms Investigative Aid (IA) Process

On November 2, 2017, the National Forensic Laboratory Services (NFLS) is evaluating an improved Firearms & Toolmark Identification workflow utilizing the investigative power of the Canadian Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (CIBIN). This new workflow referred to as the “Investigative Aid (IA)” process will provide timely firearms intelligence to an investigation. Over the past two years, using a similar workflow referred to as “Screening”, the Firearms and Toolmark Identification program has been able to provide firearm results on designated cases within 75 to 90 days.

The benefits of the Investigative Aid process include: expanding the firearms acceptance criteria to allow for more cases to be approved, providing additional firearm information (i.e. Probable Make and Type), and continuing to reduce the overall turnaround time (TAT) on designated cases.

The IA process will automatically be applied to shooting occurrences where:

• No firearm has been recovered; and,

• The investigation is not proceeding, at the time of submission, with Criminal Code charges against an individual.

The results from the improved workflow will be provided in the format of a Firearms Investigative Aid Notification memorandum rather than a formal forensic report. The memorandum will include pertinent firearm class characteristics only, such as calibre, general rifling features, and make/model information (if possible), as well as, Canadian Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (CIBIN) unconfirmed correlation results, potentially linking previously unrelated shooting event(s).

In the event of the subsequent arrest of an individual or the seizure of a firearm, a complete examination can be requested and a formal forensic report provided for court purposes. The Forensic Assessment Center (FAC) can assist the Investigator in determining the examination option(s) available based on the details of the case. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact the Forensic Assessment Center (FAC) at 1-866-677-5227 or FAC-CEJ@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.