CARBONDALE– The City of Carbondale Police Department recently added a new technology to enhance investigations of incidents involving firearms.
Through a grant obtained through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB), the department was able to purchase a system called BRASSTRAX cartridge case acquisition system for analyzing spent shell casings collected from crime scenes.
The new technology will reduce the time required for shell casings found at the scenes of shooting incidents to be analyzed. In the past, fired shell casings found at shooting scenes were sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab to be analyzed. Due to large caseloads statewide, this process could take weeks or months. Now, Carbondale officers and investigators can quickly determine that a particular firearm fired the cartridge casing in question within hours or days of the incident.
The BRASSTRAX system will also allow the Department to immediately analyze the recovered shell casings and search the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) for possible matches to other entries throughout the country. The system also allows the Department to be a collection and analysis point for other law enforcement agencies investigating crimes involving firearms in their jurisdictions.
“The addition of the BRASSTRAX system and its connection to NIBIN represents another important step forward in our ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and enhance public safety in Carbondale. By leveraging this advanced, grant-funded technology, we’re significantly reducing the time it takes to connect evidence to offenders. This not only accelerates our investigative capabilities but also strengthens partnerships with other agencies across the region. Our commitment to holding those who commit gun-related crimes in Carbondale accountable remains steadfast,” said Police Chief and City Manager Stan Reno.
