DENVER
,
Nov. 11
/CNW/ -- Forensic Technology Inc. is proud to be associated with this year's winners of the prestigious 2009
August Vollmer
Excellence in Forensic Science Award. Presented during the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference last month in
Denver
, Colorado, the
August Vollmer
Award recognizes the innovative use of forensic technology by law enforcement.
Rocky Edwards
and
Louis Martinez
of the
Santa Ana Police
Department won the award for Innovation in Forensic Technology. Their diligent work on a cold case dating from 1994 relied heavily on Forensic Technology's IBIS® BULLETTRAX-3D(TM) system, a new ballistics identification technology.
"Our technology has been used to help solve crimes in nearly 50 countries since 1992. To see our new IBIS® TRAX-3D(TM) system play such a significant a role in this cold case reinforces our core belief that our systems can truly help make our society a safer place," said
Robert Walsh
, President of Forensic Technology.
For over 13 years, Californian detectives were unable to link the suspected murder weapon to the fatal bullet. Edwards traveled to Forensic Technology headquarters in
Montreal
,
Canada
, and, using the BULLETTRAX-3D system, he imaged the autopsy bullet. He was then able to confirm the link and identify the murder weapon. When presented with the evidence, the accused pleaded guilty and is currently serving 35 years for murder.
A second
August Vollmer
Award was presented for Significant Investigative Value in a Major Crime to the
Houston
Crime Laboratory Division for their diligent efforts in linking 12 different investigations involving members of the La Tercera Crips (LTC) gang over a 10-month period. Using IBIS, the NIBIN network, and an aggressive approach to ballistic identification, the
Houston
Crime Laboratory was able to quickly relay information back to detectives that resulted in the arrest of eight gang members and the recovery of some of the murder weapons.
About the NIBIN Network:
The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) network in the
United States
connects over 200 agencies and allows investigators to link crimes, guns, and suspects across jurisdictions and state lines. Powered by IBIS technology, NIBIN contains over 1.5 million pieces of evidence, and has helped law enforcement link more than 30,000 crimes.
On
October 2, 2009
, at the Major City Chiefs Meeting in
Denver
, Colorado, Acting Director
Kenneth Melson
of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced that the NIBIN program was a "personal priority".
About the August Vollmer Awards
IACP recognizes the significant impact that forensic science has on the criminal justice system. The
August Vollmer
Excellence in Forensic Science Award has been created to honor the proactive, innovative use of forensic technologies by law enforcement. Presented yearly at the IACP conference, awards are given in five categories.
About Forensic Technology
Forensic Technology pioneered automated ballistics identification more than 15 years ago and continues to be a leader in ballistics and firearm identification technologies that promote a safer society. We partner with hundreds of public safety agencies in over 45 countries and territories, providing cost-effective and sustainable solutions. With vast experience in scalable-networked solutions, we employ a dedicated team of engineering, forensic, and law enforcement professionals around the world.
IBIS technology can find the "needle in the haystack", suggesting possible matches between pairs of spent bullets and cartridge cases at speeds well beyond human capacity, in order to help forensic experts give detectives more timely information about crimes, guns, and suspects.
For more information about Forensic Technology please visit: www.forensictechnology.com
CONTACT:
Andre Demers
, T: +1-514-485-5610, C: +1-514-777-8616, [email protected]
For further information: Andre Demers, T: +1-514-485-5610, C: +1-514-777-8616, [email protected] Web Site: http://www.forensictechnology.com
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