Plano and Denton police are upping their game in the battle against gun violence, equipping their forces with high-tech ballistics tools. The cities are leveraging the power of a system called EvidenceIQ, enabling law enforcement to analyze evidence with speed previously unseen. The technology, which includes tools like Ballistics IQ and access to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), helps police connect the dots between crimes by examining bullet casings left at the scene.
In the pursuit of fast-track crime-solving, Plano's prowess has been notably enhanced. Deion Christophe, a firearms examiner for the city, revealed to fortworthinc.com that they've started to truly connect criminal dots quickly. "We were able to tie crimes together pretty quickly," Christophe explained. "We'd send them off for submission, and usually within an hour, we'll get a notification that our case has been linked to another case or potential case." Such efficiency is a beacon of hope in the otherwise murky waters of crime investigation, as per the Plano Texas Police Department.
It isn't just Plano reaping the benefits. Denton, which has been using this tech for two years, also feeds into NIBIN to pool national data on ballistics. The firepower of these resources isn't isolated but part of an interconnected system; a digital arsenal against the scourge of gun violence. Behind this technology lies a dedicated team of experts in the Virtual Correlation Center, working relentlessly to find and analyze these correlations that could otherwise remain veiled in shadow.
Indeed, Plano doesn't merely serve itself with this new tech. It carries the weight to also process casings for numerous other jurisdictions across North Texas. The results are a testament to the collaborative potential of law enforcement agencies when equipped with the right tools. Each recovered casing can now potentially serve to not only solve a local crime but also to help close cases extending well beyond city limits.
For residents of Plano and Denton, this news underscores a decisive stride toward greater security and justice. As the technology spreads, so does the hope that law enforcement can continue to stay one step ahead of those who choose to walk the path of lawlessness. The effectiveness of Ballistics IQ, as highlighted on the Plano Texas Police Department's Facebook page, is a clear signal that the days of disconnected crime scenes are dwindling.
