NIBIN Hit
Definition
A correlation result above the review threshold in the NIBIN database. A hit generates a Correlation Report (investigative lead); a subsequent human-examiner confirmation generates a Link Report (the court-admissible exhibit).
- Database
- NIBIN
- Trigger
- Correlation score above review threshold
- Investigative output
- Correlation Report (lead only)
- Court-admissible output
- Link Report (after examiner confirmation)
Common questions
Why is a Correlation Report not enough to present in court?+
The correlation score is generated automatically by the system's pattern-matching algorithm and has not yet been reviewed by a firearms examiner, so it functions only as an investigative lead pointing to a possible common source, not a validated forensic conclusion.
What does the human examiner actually verify before issuing a Link Report?+
The examiner performs a traditional microscopic comparison of the two cartridge cases or bullets flagged by the correlation, checking class and individual characteristics directly, and only issues the Link Report if that independent comparison confirms a common source.
Can two NIBIN hits from different crime scenes be linked without a Link Report?+
Investigators can act on a Correlation Report as a lead to connect cases, but presenting the link as established forensic fact in court requires the confirmed Link Report from an examiner, not the raw correlation alone.
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...
- Correlation Report
- The output of an automated NIBIN or IBIS database search above the review threshold. An investigative lead document, not a court exhibit....
- 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...