Correlation Report
Definition
The output of an automated NIBIN or IBIS database search above the review threshold. An investigative lead document, not a court exhibit. Becomes a Link Report only after human examiner confirmation.
- Source systems
- NIBIN, IBIS
- Status
- Investigative lead, not a court exhibit
- Trigger
- Score above the review threshold
- Becomes
- Link Report after human examiner confirmation
Common questions
Why can't a Correlation Report be used as trial evidence on its own?+
It reflects an automated statistical ranking of possible matches, not a confirmed identification, so admissible testimony requires a qualified examiner to independently review the candidate pair and document agreement before it can be presented as a match.
What happens to a Correlation Report if the examiner disagrees with the automated ranking?+
The examiner's determination controls; a high-ranked correlation that the examiner rejects on manual comparison does not become a Link Report, and a lower-ranked candidate the examiner confirms as a genuine match still can.
Related terms
- BrassTRAX-3D HD
- The cartridge-case acquisition and database search module of the IBIS system. Captures firing-pin impression, breech-face, and ejector mark topography for correlation against...
- BulletTRAX-3D HD
- The bullet-surface acquisition and database search module of the IBIS system. Captures land impression topography from fired bullets for correlation against database...
- EBIS
- European Ballistic Information Service. Distributed ENFSI network of national IBIS nodes allowing cross-border cartridge case and bullet correlation searches between European forensic...
- Evofinder
- A competing ballistic identification system by Evofinder Ltd. (UK) using a different optical acquisition method and algorithm to IBIS. Deployed in jurisdictions...
- IBIN
- INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network. The global-tier ballistic comparison system at INTERPOL Lyon, accepting submissions from over 60 countries for transnational firearms trafficking...
- IBIS TRAX-3D HD
- Forensic Technology's Integrated Ballistic Identification System, third-generation hardware with high-definition optical scanning. Produces topographic maps of bullet and cartridge case surfaces for...
- NABIS
- National Ballistics Intelligence Service; the UK police intelligence service that maintains a national headstamp and firearm reference collection and coordinates ballistic intelligence...
- NIBIN
- National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. ATF-operated distributed network of IBIS acquisition sites and correlation servers across the United States, active since 1999...
- NIBIN Hit
- A correlation result above the review threshold in the NIBIN database. A hit generates a Correlation Report (investigative lead); a subsequent human-examiner...