The big picture: Aligning people, processes, and technologies* creates an ideal environment for successful investigations.
The Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) reports the average gun assault rate in 2024 was 15% lower than in 2023. While gun assaults may be on the decline, there is still violent crime being committed. Law enforcement’s investigative role in curbing this crime is critical—but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
For investigations to ultimately be successful, collaboration is needed between investigators and prosecutors. Each plays a pivotal role in keeping offenders off the streets, and working together in partnership can be a force multiplier.
What we know: Collaboration between investigators and prosecutors is key to convicting chronic and serious gun offenders.
The differing roles and responsibilities of prosecutors and investigators can sometimes make collaboration more challenging. Though they share a similar goal of removing chronic offenders from the community, the differing procedures and policies still need to be navigated and ironed out. Aligning people, processes, and technologies is essential.
In the past decade, various agencies nationwide have used a comprehensive, cooperative gun crime reduction initiative that helps bridge the gap between prosecutors and investigators. The NPI-operated Bureau of Justice Assistance Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) Integration Initiative leverages technology and partnerships to identify, arrest, and prosecute the most prolific gun offenders. The model’s focus includes coordinating investigative and prosecutorial efforts and is the key element that differentiates it from other violent crime reduction initiatives.
Specifically, a successful CGIC incorporates seven steps, starting with the comprehensive collection of ballistic evidence at every shooting scene. Collected evidence is then entered into NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) within 24-48 hours.
Once NIBIN produces a lead, the information is shared within 24 hours and analyzed to develop actionable intelligence for investigators. NIBIN leads are then assigned to investigators and tracked. The progress of investigations is reviewed by stakeholders, including local and federal prosecutors, in periodic meetings. When an investigation leads to an arrest, it’s the prosecution’s turn to keep these offenders from returning to the community. Finally, the results of the investigations and prosecutions are shared with everyone involved and the community.
CGICs operate best when an agency follows every component of this workflow—which includes involving prosecutors throughout.
Successful collaboration in a CGIC model can look like:
- prosecutors working closely with investigators to advise on legal matters to avoid any negative impact on the administration of justice and to strengthen cases for a successful prosecution.
- having a dedicated prosecutor(s) that can lead to prosecution success.
- prosecutors included regularly to offer creative charging strategies that result in removing shooters from the community sooner.
CGIC In Action: Tucson Police Department’s highly effective model.Â
NPI’s Senior Director of Training and Technical Assistance sits down with Tucson Police Department’s Sergeant Benjamin Soltero to discuss how TPD’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center improved its non-fatal shooting solve rate from about 20% to over 70%. Watch now.
The bottom line: Effective collaboration between prosecutors and investigators strengthens cases and improves prosecutions.
The outcome of investigations is arguably most important—an arrest and conviction is the ultimate goal. Alongside an effective violent crime reduction strategy, like some we’ve covered in previous issues, CGICs are the most successful when all stakeholders understand their roles in the process. We pulled together some resources that can help:
- Strengthen prosecutors’ understanding of NIBIN. This toolkit provides guidance on how to link firearm-related crimes using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). It outlines how NIBIN generates investigative leads, disrupts shooting cycles, and supports prosecutions, even with limited witness cooperation.
- Discover best practices. This handbook emphasizes the critical role of collaboration between prosecutors and law enforcement in combating gun violence.
- What we know about CGIC. NPI’s President Jim Burch presented research during a Congressional Briefing on Preventing Gun Violence. He offered insights on crime gun intelligence and how agencies use it in investigations to curb violence. Watch now.
- Learn from the field. Read insights and key recommendations from experienced prosecutors on enhancing violent crime investigations. From early and active prosecutor involvement and adopting vertical prosecution strategies to fostering collaboration between prosecutors and law enforcement to improve evidence collection, witness cooperation, and case outcomes.
- Foster innovation. In this OnPolicing blog, NPI President Jim Burch emphasizes that innovation in policing goes beyond technology, highlighting leadership, partnerships, and strategic thinking as critical force multipliers. He points to Crime Gun Intelligence Centers as an example of innovation that combines people, processes, and tools to address violent crime more effectively.
- Explore efficient forensics. This guide urges prosecutors to work closely with labs and law enforcement to prioritize forensic testing. By using collaborative groups and triage strategies, agencies can manage resources better and ensure timely, effective evidence analysis for stronger cases.
- Strategize. The GunStat Toolkit is an interactive website based on a comprehensive guide designed to assist agencies in implementing a data-driven strategy to reduce violent crime by focusing on the identification, prosecution, and monitoring of prolific gun offenders.
*Review research citations used in this issue here.
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