Click the Question to go to the Answer:
- What is the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS)?
- Why was NABIS established?
- How was NABIS created?
- Where is the National Ballistics Intelligence Service based?
- Who are the members of NABIS?
- Where will the forensic facilities of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service be situated?
- How do I get a job with the National Ballistics Intelligence Service?
- How is the Service funded?
- How does the NABIS database work?
- Will the database contain information on all legally held firearms such as shotguns?
- What happens to legally held firearms that have been stolen?
- Will the database contain information on everything relating to firearms?
- I am a member of a Police Force or Law Enforcement Agency how do I get in touch with the Service?
- Will the National Ballistics Intelligence Service provide evidence for courtpurposes as currently carried out by forensic service providers such as theForensic Science Service or other service providers?
- Will the National Ballistics Intelligence Service be involved in stopping the importation of firearms from abroad?
- Why does NABIS only cover the police forces of England and Wales?
Q: What is the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS)?
A: NABIS provides an intelligence resource that is available to police forces and other law enforcement agencies that focuses entirely on the criminal use of firearms. It comprises three separate but interlinked elements, namely;
- A complete registry of all recovered firearms and ammunition coming into police possession in England and Wales
- A ballistics comparison capability to link crimes and incidents within 24 to 48 hours in urgent cases
- An associated intelligence database to provide strategic and tactical intelligence capable of focusing law enforcement activity
A: In order to ensure that the law enforcement agencies of the United Kingdom have an effective and field leading means of sharing ballistic information and intelligence that relates to the criminal use of firearms. It will allow investigators to quickly link offences where the same weapon or individuals have been involved, to identify those persons involved in importing, supplying, illegally adapting or converting firearms and to ensure that they are prosecuted and that illegal weapons are removed from our communities.
Q: How was NABIS created?
A: A national implementation programme was created in order to establish the Service. The Programme known as NABIP (National Ballistics Intelligence Programme) delivered a new database providing, for the first time, a national database for all recovered firearms and ballistic material such as complete rounds of ammunition, cartridge cases and projectiles. The database also links those ballistics items to tactical intelligence recorded by Police forces and other UK Law enforcement agencies.
The Programme also delivered Police based Forensic capabilities to link firearms incidents. Three new regional facilities will test fire, analyse and link firearms and materials to other incidents across the UK. This allows Investigating Officers access to the quick time intelligence essential within an investigation. The facilities will use the latest equipment and will be at the forefront of firearms forensic technology. The programme ultimately led to the creation of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service or NABIS.
Q: Where is the National Ballistics Intelligence Service based?
A: NABIS is hosted by West Midlands Police. They lease space to the NABIS delivery team at a secure location in the Midlands.
Q: Who are the members of NABIS?
A: The team is made up Police Officers and Police Staff. Some team members are employed directly by the Service and others are seconded from Police forces.
Q: Where will the forensic facilities of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service be situated?
A: The NABIS Ballistic Hubs will be based strategically across the country in Manchester, Birmingham and London. However their exact location needs to remain confidential.
Q: How do I get a job with the National Ballistics Intelligence Service?
A: Check the recruitment link on this site when it becomes available.
Q: How is the Service funded?
A: The Service is funded by a subscription-based arrangement agreed by from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). This means that all the Police forces of England and Wales contribute to the running of NABIS.
Q: How does the NABIS database work?
A: The NABIS Database contains and directs users to tactical intelligence that has been associated to a ballistic item such as a firearms or cartridges cases.
Q: Will the database contain information on all legally held firearms such as shotguns?
A: The National Ballistics Intelligence Service will not require legal firearms holders to surrender their weapons for test fires. However if a firearms license is revoked or Police believe that a legally held firearm is being used for the purposes of crime then Police may seize the weapon and submit it to NABIS for analysis. As a matter of course all legally held firearms will be recorded in the National Firearms Licensing Management System.
Q: What happens to legally held firearms that have been stolen?
A: Any legally held firearms that are stolen will be entered into the Intelligence Systems of the Police force that is responsible for that particular theft. A copy of that information will be loaded to NABIS Database.
Q: Will the database contain information on everything relating to firearms?
A: No, the NABIS Database focuses on information relating to the intelligence surrounding a ballistic item. The reason for this is to provide high quality intelligence from across the country linked to a ballistic item or items rather than generic information or intelligence. The Police forces of England and Wales will continue to evaluate generic information and intelligence related to firearms.
Q: I am a member of a Police Force or Law Enforcement Agency how do I get in touch with the Service?
A: NABIS has links with all major Police forces and Law Enforcement agencies. However, you may contact the team by e-mailing us at nabis@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
Q: Will the National Ballistics Intelligence Service provide evidence for court purposes as currently carried out by forensic service providers such as the Forensic Science Service or other service providers?
A: No, the National Ballistics Intelligence Service will not provide evidential products like those provided by forensic service providers, our focus is that of intelligence. However, if a ballistic item is sent to a service provider for analysis in the creation of evidential material they will update the NABIS Database with any further information.
Q: Will the National Ballistics Intelligence Service be involved in stopping the importation of firearms from abroad?
A: The National Ballistics Intelligence Service will work with other Law Enforcement agencies such as Her Majesties Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency to stop the illegal importation of firearms.
Q: Why does NABIS only cover the police forces of England and Wales?
A: The initial programme of work was commissioned by the Home Office and ACPO to cover the 43 police forces that are covered by ACPO in England and Wales. However work is already underway to fully incorporate the Scottish forces into NABIS and to deliver the NABIS database to the PSNI.