Overview

The Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) examines firearms, ammunition and firearm-related components in cases where a shooting may have occurred. Fingerprinting and DNA analysis must be completed on all items before submitting firearms-related evidence to CFS.

Examination categories

Cases submitted for examination are typically divided into the following categories:

  • Suspicious Firearms Index (SFI) Initiative
  • Rapid Assessment for IBIS Selection Examination (RAISE)
  • Full examination

Suspicious Firearms Index (SFI) Initiative

For cases involving firearms and agency-generated test fires to determine whether the firearm is linked to a shooting.

If the CFS uploads a test fire to the IBIS, an automated firearms identification system, a notification is sent to the submitter.

Email Physical.Sciences@ontario.ca to request the SFI information sheet for more information on how to submit evidence under this category.

Rapid Assessment for IBIS Selection Examination (RAISE)

For cases involving fired ammunition components to identify linkages to other shooting scenes or recovered firearms. This does not include requests to know the calibre, type or number of firearms that discharged the fired ammunition components.

If the CFS uploads fired ammunition components to the IBIS, a notification is sent to the submitter.

Contact Physical.Sciences@ontario.ca to request the RAISE information sheet for more information on how to submit evidence under this category.

If a specific cross-reference to another case is also requested, a report will be issued.

Full examination

For cases that do not meet the criteria for either the SFI or RAISE categories, CFS will conduct a full examination and issue a report.

Case submission guidelines

The following examination requests must meet the guidelines and requirements outlined to be accepted for analysis.

Classification of firearms, ammunition and devices

The following items are accepted for classification by CFS:

  • modified, improvised, homemade, antique, uncommon or unidentifiable firearms
  • firearms with a safety concern
  • airguns, including BB, pellet, airsoft or paintball guns used to commit an offence
  • samples of unfired ammunition submitted with a suspect firearm (for example, half the capacity of the magazine)
  • unfired ammunition if there is a prohibition order against the suspect or accused, or if the item(s) are suspected of being prohibited ammunition
  • suspected suppressors or detachable cartridge magazines

Classification of functional, commercially manufactured firearms is completed by police agencies.

Calibre determination including possible make or model

Each projectile must be:

  • separately packaged
  • separately listed and described on the case submission form
  • rinsed thoroughly with water and air dried before packaging for submission if the projectile was removed from a body

Comparison to other fired components or firearms

Each item must be:

  • separately packaged
  • separately listed and described on the case submission form

If a comparison between two or more cases is being requested, please specify the individual CFS case numbers or police agency incident numbers.

Distance determination

Suspect firearms and ammunitions can be submitted for distance determination. Additionally, items submitted for examination must:

  • have only the primary target surface (for example, if four layers of clothing were worn, submit only the top layer)
  • not include excised wounds — submit scaled photos instead
  • be air dried and the area of interest protected before packaging, when submitting clothing

If there is no firearm submitted with ammunition, you must have approval from CFS first.

Firearm safety testing including accidental discharge or trigger pull

Firearms submitted must be in the same condition as it was at the time of the shooting.

IBIS search request

The IBIS database only includes firearms that are commercially manufactured or consist of commercially manufactured parts. This may not include:

  • homemade or improvised nonconventional firearms
  • drilled out starters pistols or revolvers
  • pellet or flare guns

To submit search requests in IBIS, you must include the following in the case submission:

  • the firearm or agency generated test fires
  • firearm seizure date
  • make, model, calibre, type action and serial number
  • investigation information on whether the firearm has been stolen, used in a criminal offence, found in relation to a criminal investigation or associated with individuals with a criminal history
  • reason for a search if searching in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) in the United States (for example, firearm stolen from the United States, investigator has requested a search, etc.), and specify which state(s) for location of the search

Do not submit ammunition unless it is required for another examination request. Found components that are not associated with a firearms-related incident requires CFS approval first.

Trajectory analysis

Trajectory analyses can only be completed if:

  • the path of the projectile has not been altered after the shooting (for example, a vehicle cannot be disassembled to retrieve a projectile)
  • an agency has not already completed a trajectory analysis

Evidence packaging guidelines

Evidence submitted to CFS must follow the specific packaging requirements for either the SFI or RAISE categories and use the recommended packaging materials.

SFI cases

Agency-generated test fires, including cartridge cases and bullets or shotshells, must:

Photo of shell casings in a clear resealable evidence bag.
  • be placed in a resealable plastic bag, and the bag must be placed into an unsealed bubble envelope
  • only have one set of test fires per envelope with the test fires label applied to the front
  • have the bubble envelope placed in a sealed property bag

Agencies must fill out the following information on the test fires label:

Photo of an evidence envelope with a properly affixed label.
  • agency occurrence number
  • date the firearm was seized or recovered
  • make, model, action, type and calibre of the firearm
  • serial number of the firearm
    • if no serial number is available, write “none”
    • if serial number is removed, write “obliterated”
    • if serial number is unknown, write “unknown”

RAISE cases

All exhibits or scene items must be submitted with an exhibit items label applied to the front of its resealable bag or envelope. Items must also:

  • have each item placed in its own resealable plastic bag
  • place all cartridge cases with the same calibre in one unsealed bubble envelope
  • place any projectiles (if cartridge cases were not recovered or submitted) into resealable plastic bags within one bubble envelope

Agencies must fill out the following information on the exhibit items label:

  • agency occurrence number
  • date the cartridges or projectiles were recovered or
  • calibre of the cartridge cases only (if known or included on the headstamp)
  • number of cartridge cases or projectiles

Recommended packaging materials

The following or comparable specifications for packaging materials are recommended or required:

  • 2”x3” or 2 Mil clear resealable bags – typically used for handgun and small rifle rounds
  • 4”x6” or 2 Mil clear resealable bags – typically used for shotshells and revolver rounds
  • 4”x8” gold or manila bubble envelopes (required)