Roles
Find out what each of the roles at NABIS do.
The Head of NABIS provides professional leadership and direction covering all aspects of NABIS service delivery. They build strong working relationships across Law Enforcement and NABIS Stakeholders to enable firearms criminality to be tackled across the UK, working with forces for the submission of firearms and ballistic material in line with the NABIS MOU. They also provide strategic support and guidance to the NPCC Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio holder and are responsible for delivering operational decision making and leadership in relation to tactical and strategic operational activity carried out in partnership with police forces and other agencies to tackle gun crime at all levels. They personally lead in the development of partnership working with key stakeholders including the Military, Security Services and HM Government, and influence legislative change where necessary. They fully contribute to the development of risk assessments focusing on the threat posed by illegal firearms to the security of the UK and the safety of its citizens.
The Head of NABIS oversees and prioritises the preparation of intelligence products at both a tactical and strategic level and ensures that NABIS products are given appropriate priority within national tasking and coordination processes. They formulate and maintain a forward work plan to ensure that NABIS has clear objectives in line with the needs of its stakeholders, and that these needs are met. They have oversight and accountability for the forensic capabilities delivered across the NABIS Forensic Hubs and for compliance to UKAS accreditation ISO 17025.
They operate with credibility and practical experience at a senior level with Detectives tasked with overseeing the investigation of the most serious of crimes involving the criminal use of firearms nationally and internationally, providing leadership where necessary.
The Deputy Head of NABIS is accountable for the day to day ‘running’ of NABIS, making staffing decisions and ensuring that all NABIS products and meeting commitments are delivered to the highest standard. Supported by the Forensics Technical Lead, responsible for the forensic function and the Intelligence Lead, responsible for the Intelligence/performance function. The Deputy Head will ensure that NABIS meets its SLAs, has the correct infrastructure, and staff get the training and development that they need.
Provides leadership, management, and oversight of the NABIS Central and Northern Hubs, building strong national and international working relationships with Forensic and Law Enforcement partners.
The NABIS Forensic Technical lead is responsible for providing technical expertise and guidance to ensure the hubs can carry out ballistic examinations in compliance with the NABIS Quality requirements, in line with ISO 17025 and the FSR Codes of Conduct and Practice, and for the provision of technical advice for all aspects of forensic ballistics examination at the NABIS hubs.
They participate in national NABIS meetings and support any international NABIS requirements, including local and national governance.
They are responsible for the development, delivery, and review of training programmes for NABIS forensic staff to support career pathways and ensure staff have the required training for their role, as well as developing national proficiency and competency tests for NABIS, PSA, PSNI, and the MPS forensic ballistic services.
They are accountable for the performance of the NABIS Hub Managers, and that service delivery and service level agreements are met. A key part of the role is ensuring the development of NABIS forensic policies and processes are supported in line with ISO 17025, ensuring continuous improvement is a key component in any changes. They are responsible for ensuring that NABIS are fully prepared for any UKAS assessments to ensure that ISO accreditation is maintained.
The NABIS Forensic Technical lead provides forensic examination advice to national and international law enforcement agencies, national working groups, and operationally to Senior Investigation leads, informing firearms intelligence products.
They ensure their professional competence as a Ballistics Expert is maintained, in accordance with the Ballistics Expert Job Description, through a caseload in line with ISO 17025 requirements, so they can attend court in the capacity of a Ballistics Expert and present evidence as required. They are required to keep up to date and monitor the firearms industry to anticipate crime trends and to monitor criminal firearms use for national policy recommendations.
The NABIS Forensic Technical lead carries out and/or supports technical audits in conjunction with the Hub Managers, Quality & Policy Manager, and Technical Development Expert as agreed through Forensic governance. They ensure safe working practices within the NABIS Hub, taking into consideration firearms legislation and Health and Safety guidelines.
The NABIS Forensic Technical lead continually develops forensic best practice in the NABIS services, and liaises with firearm experts from forces, other agencies, and defence experts as required. They keep up to date on technical developments by attending meetings, seminars, and exhibitions (both in the UK and abroad), and reading technical/trade journals. They participate in stakeholder liaison meetings with customers, suppliers, and national sponsors, and deliver firearms lectures and training sessions for investigators, intelligence staff and junior staff. There is an essential requirement for maintaining the highest levels of personal, business, and scientific integrity.
TheNABIS Organisational Support Lead provides leadership, management, and oversight of NABIS Intelligence, Governance, Finance and Administration, building strong national and international working relationships with Law Enforcement partners.
They are responsible for ensuring the NABIS Intelligence function develops relevant intelligence products and inputs to support UK and International Law Enforcement in identifying opportunities to tackle criminal use of firearms.
The NABIS Organisational Support Lead is accountable for ensuring the NABIS Governance function develops, delivers, and administers an internal and external performance framework with performance information. They ensure the governance framework is effective and all forums are suitably supported.
They are responsible for ensuring delivery of appropriate internal and external communication, engagement, and media to support the NABIS Strategy and tackle the criminal use of firearms.
They support the NABIS Strategic Engagement Officer in delivering national and international Intelligence Liaison, and will represent them at national and international engagement forums, presenting on UK Firearms issues.
The NABIS Organisational Support Lead ensures the NABIS Liaison function is being effectively managed to maintain the key strategic and operational interface between NABIS and Law Enforcement in the UK. They are accountable for the production of a range of tactical and strategic reports for use at a national and international level, including National Governance Board papers.
The NABIS Quality and Policy Manager role is responsible for the production, review, and management of all NABIS policies, audit requirements and schedules. They ensure that the forensic policies and processes comply with ISO 17025 to ensure ongoing UKAS accreditation and, where appropriate, implement and manage other relevant accreditation programmes such as ISO 17020 & ISO 9001. They are responsible for developing and maintaining a quality management system in accordance with recommendations from the Forensic Regulator and alongside host forces’ Quality Managers, initiating and closing of all non-conformances and associated improvement actions. They need to develop an assessment process to ensure that mitigation of risks to accreditation are implemented and reviewed.
The NABIS Quality and Policy Manager role is responsible for policy management across all NABIS functions using a continuous improvement approach to policies and operating procedures that ensures continued accreditation of the NABIS forensic hubs in ISO 17025, and ensures compliance with the Forensic Regulators Codes of Practice.
They will develop the NABIS approach to ISO 9001 and ISO 17020. They update and maintain the NABIS Quality Management Manual and the Standard Operating Procedures for the Hubs in Birmingham and Manchester, and maintain all IT systems relating to Quality Management within NABIS. They lead technical audits, carry out dip sample audits, and identify all non-conformances, and implement a corrective action system following root cause analysis.
They liaise and negotiate with the quality departments in WMP and GMP, where the Hubs are hosted, to ensure that the NABIS Quality Systems are compliant with those forces’ quality management systems, and build relationships and a consistent approach between NABIS in partnership with all quality teams across all five forensic ballistic hubs. They also support the national and international Law Enforcement Agencies to achieve accreditation. They support the Head of Forensics, Strategy & Policy to liaise with UKAS to coordinate surveillance visits and process all resulting improvement actions.
The role is responsible for forensic governance, ensuring that a schedule of quality and performance review meetings is in place, and they attend host force quality meetings relevant to NABIS. They are responsible for scheduling and supporting NABIS internal audits, and conduct training and development of auditing and information assurance staff in quality management processes. They also provide awareness training on quality management systems to all NABIS staff.
They provide the line management of the NABIS Information Assurance team and have a matrix management relationship with the Service Delivery Coordinators based at the Central and Northern hubs.
The NABIS Quality and Policy Manager is responsible for continuous professional development in role, identifying developments in the field of Quality Management and identifying methods of ensuring continuous improvement in NABIS services. They address and action all customer feedback in relation to NABIS services.
They ensure compliance with statutory requirements in relation to information management including the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Code of Practice on Management of Police Information 2005, as appropriate.
It is the duty of the NABIS Hub Manager to oversee the daily functioning of the lab, ensuring the delivery of NABIS services in line with customer Service Level Agreements and national performance criteria.
They require technical skills in order to provide expert ballistics knowledge in the delivery of products and services by using tool mark comparison systems, Microscopy and IBIS technologies, and must keep up to date with current firearms legislation and ensure staff working in the hub are aware of legislative changes and are adhering to and applying the changes when necessary.
It is their responsibility to ensure safe working practices within the hub, which includes making sure submitted firearms are made safe, and monitoring the storage, movement and destruction of firearms at the hub.
They are expected to continually develop forensic best practice in the NABIS services and liaise with firearm experts from forces, other agencies, and defence experts as required, and to keep up to date and monitor the firearms industry to anticipate crime trends, and to monitor criminal firearms use for national policy recommendations.
In regards to quality, they ensure that ISO accreditation standards and the Forensic Services Quality Management Systems are adequately maintained and continuous improvements are implemented.
This involves participating in annual quality reviews, ensuring that dip sample audits, technical audits and quality management audits are facilitated, and the findings of these are dealt with appropriately and to the specified timescales, investigating non-conforming work, determining root cause analyses, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring that all the required quality documentation is completed.
The Ballistics Expert identifies investigative opportunities and produces high quality intelligence reports, including the examination and photography of firearms and ammunition for identifying marks and modifications.
They are highly skilled, using tool mark comparison systems, microscopy and IBIS Technologies in line with defined independent standards, to ensure scientific integrity.
They undertake evidential test-firing of firearms for classification and ballistic comparison. They also undertake the classification of all types of firearms and ammunition whilst preserving forensic evidence including DNA, fingerprints, and fibres.
They are responsible for safety, certification and storage of all firearms and associated exhibits / documentation submitted to NABIS, and for the production of expert witness statements for the Certification of firearms and ammunition, in line with current legislation.
They also attend court in the capacity of a Ballistics Expert and present evidence as required.
The NABIS Ballistics Technician has the responsibility for safety, certification and storage of all firearms and evidence submitted to NABIS, including making safe firearms to prevent unintentional discharges, ensuring compliance with national protocols and ensuring safe working practices.
They are responsible for meeting demanding deadlines and performance targets whilst remaining flexible and responsive to changing operational circumstances.
Working with the NABIS Ballistics Experts they ensure that the delivery of NABIS services is in line with customer Service Level Agreements and national performance criteria.
They are also responsible for liaising with firearms experts from outside agencies, other police services, and defence experts, as required, to discuss casework.
The NABIS Ballistics Technician carries out other duties which are consistent with the nature, responsibilities and grading of the post.
Duties after Completion of Level 1 Training
- Required to provide knowledge and services for firearms and IBIS technologies and maintain quality technical processes in line with independently verified standards.
- Undertake the classification of all types of ammunition whilst preserving forensic evidence including DNA, fingerprints, and fibres.
- Undertake the examination and photography of ammunition for identifying marks and modifications, and ensure the efficient and effective use of IBIS technologies, realising early investigative opportunities and maintaining a high quality database.
- Using and updating the NABIS database.
Duties after Completion of Level 2 Training
- Undertake the classification of all types of firearms whilst preserving forensic evidence including DNA, fingerprints, and fibres.
- Undertake the examination and photography of firearms for identifying marks and modifications, and ensure the efficient and effective use of IBIS technologies, realising early investigative opportunities and maintaining a high quality database.
- Undertake the evidential test firing of firearms for classification and ballistic comparison to national standards, as required.
- Required to manage and assist in the development of data standards and of intelligence reports.
- Completion of report writing.
Duties after Completion of Level 3 Training
- Carrying out manual microscopy comparisons of ballistics items against the open case file system.
The Service Delivery Coordinator, (Quality & Training) works as part of a team in a sensitive and confidential environment, coordinate all administrative requirements of the hub. They will provide a customer service contact for forces ensuring safe receipt and continuity of exhibits and the safe handling and storage of submitted items.
The role will ensure accurate records are maintain, update computer systems and carry out audits as directed by the Technical Development Expert and Quality & Policy Manager.
The role will also support the NABIS Experts to collate and disseminate reports and case files.
Working with the NABIS leadership team to provide administrative support and coordination for the development, training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of NABIS staff.
NABIS Intelligence Analysts undertake all analytical functions within NABIS in relation to the preparation of National Intelligence Model products, for all issues relating to Gun Crime, in accordance with nationally agreed principles.
They assist in current intelligence operations by collating, researching, and analysing information and intelligence from all relevant sources for the preparation of Strategic Assessments.
They use crime pattern analysis techniques to determine patterns, trends and links within crime and incident information, and identify areas where further information must be collected.
They prepare briefing notes, deliver presentations for audiences outside of NABIS and liaise with staff and senior officers across the UK and internationally to obtain and/or share intelligence information.
They develop and maintain knowledge of current intelligence together with the crime trends and patterns relevant to the understanding of firearms crime nationally.
This particular role provides an efficient administrative or technical service for the NABIS Intelligence Cell, including the maintenance and development of systems and procedures, performance management, and the development and supervision of staff where required.
They support the intelligence research and administration function of NABIS, targeting firearms related criminality.
NABIS Intelligence Researchers provide front line support and advice on criminal use of firearms intelligence issues to law enforcement colleagues by performing National and International firearms tracing requests by liaising with Europol, Interpol, Firearms Manufacturers, UK Military, Border Force, National Crime Agency, and UK Police Forces.
They conduct research concerning firearms nominals utilising national systems including PNC and PND and in-house / local systems to provide information for nominal profiles and for data sharing with other law enforcement agencies including the NCA and internationally with Europol, in addition to keeping the NABIS database up to date with the results of search research where appropriate.
They support quality assurance assessments and monitor and report on requests, problems and anomalies within the NABIS Intelligence process.
They carry out administrative tasks in the delivery of the Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio, collating, managing, and disseminating intelligence reports.
They assist with strategic assessments, practice advice and doctrine relating to firearms crime for the law enforcement community and government, preparing reports and assessments, and delivering clear presentations where appropriate, ensuring that the medium used is suitable for the audience.
The NABIS Liaison Officers provide the UK force liaison and force performance compliance function between NABIS and the forces, and agencies served by NABIS.
They support the NABIS performance framework to ensure that forces are complying with the NABIS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which relates to the recording and submission of ballistic material to NABIS.
They support In-Force Performance and Inspection (Quality Assurance) Programmes by assisting forces in managing internal compliance and inspection programmes. Furthermore, this helps forces and agencies to develop their processes and exploit existing opportunities in the areas of forensic science & intelligence to improve force and NABIS performance.
Another responsibility is providing the “investigative and intelligence bridge” to assist forces and agencies to investigate and tackle high risk firearms activity.
They work as part of a national liaison team with geographic responsibility for each one of the three law enforcement regions in the UK (currently North, East and West).
The NABIS Performance Analyst provides a performance analyst function identifying, researching, and analysing known and emerging performance and organisational threats, issues and trends.
They use a creative and innovative approach to understanding and communicating performance issues both internally and externally. It is their responsibility to develop data collection strategies with internal departments, external Police Forces and agencies in order to create products to support senior decision makers. They also provide analytical support to the three areas of NABIS (Business Support, Intelligence Cell, and Forensics) and carry out projects, reviews, assessments and evaluations as required.
The NABIS Service Delivery Coordinator (Governance) delivers an efficient, effective and quality driven internal and external governance framework ensuring provision of appropriate logistical arrangements, papers, minutes, action tracking and communication to law enforcement stakeholders, partners and NABIS staff.
The NABIS Systems and Information Manager must ensure that the ICT tools and systems in place across NABIS reflect the business needs of NABIS and our user community, and are monitored and reviewed, identifying opportunities to improve.
As NABIS Information Asset Owner the post holder will be accountable for ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability of information held by NABIS. A key aspect of this role is ensuring that NABIS governance is operating to ensure delivery of the strategy and delivery plan.
They manage the national NABIS forensic and intelligence database, and develop coherent strategies, policies, processes and Standard Operating Procedures, and will prioritise database developments. In addition, they are responsible for the delivery of the modular database training programme nationally.
The role involves collecting, understanding and transmitting business requirements for NABIS systems and translating these into functional specifications and detailed options, whilst also testing solution and resolving relatively complex problems and issues through their own knowledge or liaising with Law Enforcement Agencies and third party suppliers.