Reducing Gun Violence through Integrated Forensic Evidence Collection, Analysis and Sharing

This project will assess the implementation and impact of the New Jersey state-wide forensic evidence acquisition policies and initiatives (legislation, NIBIN support), New Jersey analytic initiatives (Regional Operations and Intelligence Center and Real-Time Crime Centers), and regional communities’ partnerships (CorrStat program). Through a unique combination of legislation, technology, and jurisdictional collaboration, New Jersey has integrated the sharing of firearms forensic evidence with ongoing law enforcement investigations to reduce gun violence. This type of integrated gun intelligence has rarely, if ever, been implemented on such a comprehensive statewide basis. The legislative foundation for this comprehensive approach was laid on September 18, 2013, when New Jersey enacted groundbreaking firearms evidence legislation (C.52:17B-9.18) that stipulated that the law enforcement departments and agencies "fully participate, through the utilization of electronic technology, in inter-jurisdictional information and analysis sharing programs and systems to deter and solve gun crimes." New Jersey also provides statewide institutional support for the collection, analysis, and sharing firearms forensic evidence. These systems include New Jersey's eight NIBIN units, the State Police's Regional Operations and Intelligence Center (ROIC), NJ's two Real Time Crime Centers (RTCC), and NJ's regional CorrStat intelligence-sharing program. By employing a mixed method, quasi-experimental design with interrupted time series, the applicant aims to determine what organizational and technological strategies are most effective in supporting criminal investigations and reducing gun violence. Specifically, the project will: 1) assess how New Jersey has implemented and institutionalized its firearms violence intelligence capabilities, 2) examine the impact of these systems on the collection and analysis for firearms forensic evidence, 3) examine the impact of these systems on lead generation for law enforcement investigators, and 4) examine the impact of these initiatives on New Jersey gun violence. The study will employ a case study analysis of New Jersey's data collection/analysis and integrated intelligence sharing systems and quasi-experimental research design to assess the impact of these systems on firearm violence. Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law, and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF