DELAWARE STATE POLICE FORENSIC FIREARMS SERVICES UNIT

Captain Ralph H. Davis, III

Within the DSP Homicide Unit is the Forensic Firearms Services Unit (FFSU). The FFSU was created in November 2006 to assist all law enforcement agencies in Delaware with the investigation of gun related and other violent crimes by examining all recovered firearms and ballistic related evidence collected during criminal investigations. The FFSU is staffed by one sworn Division member who serves as the IBIS technician and one civilian certified forensic firearms examiner.

From November 2006 through December 2009, 1,962 firearm related investigations were submitted to the FFSU for examination. During 2009, 572 firearms related cases, 31 murder investigations, 417 firearms, 1,059 cartridge cases, and 407 bullet specimens were submitted to the Unit, which provided forensic firearms services to 20 Delaware law enforcement agencies. In addition to the submissions received by the FFSU, 84 IBIS/Brasstrax ballistic case matches were confirmed. The FFSU also offered services such as firearm serial number restoration, gun shot residue testing, bullet trajectory work, and tool mark examinations to Delaware investigative agencies.
 

- Information obtained from 2009 DSP Annual Report -