Halton Police in Canada acquire TSN Trace Ballistics firing chamber

(HALTON REGION, Ontario, Canada, November 28, 2024) In an effort to solve firearm crimes more quickly and improve public safety, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Forensic Services Unit has acquired innovative new technology that will help capture vital ballistic evidence accurately, cost-effectively, and efficiently.

The TSN Bullet and Cartridge Capture System uses state-of-the-art technology to rapidly provide samples of spent bullets and cartridge cases collected from crime-related firearms, as well as from confiscated or seized firearms.

This significantly improves the speed and accuracy of comparing data recovered from crime scenes with ballistic databases, functioning as the equivalent of DNA analysis, but for firearms.

HRPS is the first law enforcement service in Canada to implement this technology, further solidifying its commitment to improving investigative processes and delivering justice to the residents of Halton and beyond.

“We are thrilled to bring this advanced technology to our forensic team and investigators,” said Chief Stephen J. Tanner. “With this system, we can obtain ballistic samples within hours of recovering a firearm at a crime scene, compared to the days it took with the previous recovery system. We can now leverage the Forensic Science Centre’s Rapid IBIS (Integrated Ballistic Identification System) and RAISE (Rapid Assessment for IBIS Selection Examination) initiatives, which expedite the examination of spent ammunition and can link it to other shootings in Canada and the United States. This is invaluable to our investigators in identifying potential suspects and connecting cases. By investing in this state-of-the-art system, we are committed to strengthening our efforts to solve firearm-related crimes and protect our community.”