GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: GENERAL OPERATIONS
TITLE: UNFIRED AMMUNITION & FIRE CARTRIDGES
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
UNFIRED AMMUNITION & FIRED CARTRIDGES
343.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to create packaging standards that keep evidence secure, minimize evidence degradation, and facilitate the possibility of further analysis. Additionally, it will efficiently streamline the process of entering fired components into the National lntegrated Ballistics lnformation Network (NIBIN).
343.1.1 DEFINITIONS
NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTICS INFORMATION NETWORK (NlBlN) - is an evidence screening tool that provides possible links between fired specimens (from various crime scenes), therefore providing possible links between crimes not previously known by law enforcement to be connected.
CARTRIDGE CASE - The main defining component of the cartridge is the case, which gives the cartridge its shape and serves as the integrating housing for other functional components—it acts as a container for the propellant powders and also serves as a protective shell against the elements; it attaches the projectile either at the front end of the cartridge (bullets for pistols, submachine guns, rifles, and machine guns) or inside of the cartridge (wadding/sabot containing either a number of shot or an individual slug for shotguns), and align it with the barrel bore to the front; it holds the primer at the back end, which receives an impact from a firing pin and is responsible for igniting the main propellant charge inside the case.
SHOTSHELL - a complete unfired round of ammunition consisting of a shotshell casing, projectile(s) (shot/slug), wadding, primer, and smokeless powder; usually made of plastic, with a thin brass base.
343.2 POLICY
This policy informs members of the procedures that should be utilized to collect, package, and submit cartridge cases/shotshells to the Lincoln Police Department Crime Lab.
343.3 NIBIN (NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTICS INFORMATION NETWORK)
NIBIN is a database-driven multimedia imaging system designed for imaging the markings made by the firearm on fired components to increase the effectiveness of the forensic examiner.Using NIBIN, examiners are able to search unsolved case files, store classification data and images, and simulate a comparison microscope for comparing fired cartridge cases and shotshells. This technology enables the firearm examiner to connect otherwise unrelated shooting events in the same city and/or between two different cities. In addition, by comparing test-fired cartridge cases and shotshells from confiscated firearms, an examiner can establish a connection to a specific firearm that may also tie it to a specific suspect resulting in the complete resolution of an unsolved shooting incident.
343.3.1 WHAT IS NOT IMAGED IN NIBIN
The following guns/evidence items are not suitable for entry into the NIBIN database and are not accepted for NIBIN entry:
No bullets/projectiles of any caliber
Single-shot/break-open shotguns
Derringers
Antique firearms
Black powder firearms
"BB" guns
Weapons purchased in a "Buy-Back" or "Guns for Cash" program
343.4 COLLECTION AND PACKAGING
343.4.1 COLLECTION OF FIRED CARTRIDGE CASE(S)/SHOTSHELL(S)
Fired cartridge cases and/or shotshells should be handled with such care as not to introduce anyadditional markings. Additionally, fired cartridge cases and/or shotshells should be handled with such care as not to remove any existing markings.
Do not use ink to mark the cartridge cases and/or shotshells.
Handle cartridge cases and/or shotshells with disposable gloves.
Do not clean or change the condition of items recovered from the scene. If the items are wet, they should be air-dried without introducing the possibility of adding or removing markings.
343.4.2 PACKAGING OF FIRED CARTRIDGE CASE(S)/SHOTSHELL(S)
Fired cartridge cases and/or shotshells should only be handled individually and packaged individually. Suitable containers for cartridge cases and/or shotshells are appropriately sized manilla envelopes. The evidence package should then be marked appropriately to identify and correlate the exhibit to the crime scene, then properly sealed. The exhibit may then be placed in outer packaging with other packaged cartridge cases/shotshells known to have been fired from the same firearm. Follow the evidence packaging policy concerning an evidence label, a barcode label, and sealing the outer packaging.
* Do not package fired cartridge cases and/or shotshells with the firearm.*
Note: A fired cartridge case/shotshell that is removed from the chamber of the firearm should be packaged separately and noted on the outer evidence packaging.
343.4.3 COLLECTION OF UNFIRED AMMUNITION
Unfired cartridge cases and/or shotshells should be handled with such care as not to introduce any additional markings. Additionally, fired cartridge cases and/or shotshells should be handled with such care as not to remove any existing markings.
Do not use ink to mark the cartridge cases and/or shotshells.
Handle cartridge cases and/or shotshells with disposable gloves.
Do not clean or change the condition of items recovered from the scene. If the items are wet, theyshould be air-dried without introducing the possibility of adding or removing markings.
lf the exhibit was wet, the officer/investigator should note the condition of the exhibit at the time of collection for reference during packaging.
343.4.4 PACKAGING OF UNFIRED AMMUNITION
Unfired cartridge cases and/or shotshells of the same brand and type may be handled collectively and packaged together. Even if a firearm magazine contains multiple brands of the same type of ammunition or contains multiple types of ammunition of the same brand, they must be packaged separately; however, may be placed in the same outer package. Suitable containers for cartridges and/or shotshells should be appropriately sized and of appropriate durability. The evidence package should be marked appropriately to identify and correlate the exhibit to the crime scene, then properly sealed. Follow the evidence packaging policy concerning an evidence label, a barcode label, and sealing the outer packaging.
*Do not package unfired cartridges and/or shotshells with the firearm.*
Note: Unfired ammunition that was removed from the chamber of the firearm should be packaged separately and identified on the evidence packaging.
343.5 COLLECTION AND PACKAGING DO'S AND DON'TS
Fired Cartridge Case(s)/Shotshell(s):
DO handle while wearing disposable gloves. DO mark the envelope for identification.
DO place each fired cartridge case/shotshell in a separate envelope.
DO notate and package separately any fired cartridge case/shotshell that was removed from the chamber of the firearm.
DON'T handle without wearing disposable gloves.
DON'T introduce or remove marks on fired cartridge cases/shotshells. DON'T package with firearm.
DON'T place (ink) marks of identification on the fired cartridge cases/shotshells.
Unfired Ammunition:
DO handle while wearing disposable gloves.
DO try to recover any ammunition of the same brand and type for test firing and comparison purposes.
DO mark the envelope for identification.
DO notate and package separately any unfired ammunition that was removed from the chamber of the firearm.
DON'T handle without wearing disposable gloves.
DON'T introduce or remove marks on unfired ammunition. DON'T package with firearm.
DON'T place (ink) marks of identification on the unfired ammunition
343.6 DOCUMENTATION
Any time officers, crime lab personnel, or investigators respond to a call where cartridge cases or shotshells are present, a report shall be completed, the casings shall be collected, and they shall be logged into evidence. Proper nomenclature, i.e., cartridge cases or shotshells, shall be used when filling out the report.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.Â