Crime and firearms detection training held in Charleston

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The Charleston Police Department, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, hosted the Crime Gun Summit on Tuesday.

Shawn Morrow, ATF special agent in charge of West Virginia, said the training involved law enforcement officers from across the state and focused on investigating violent crimes.

“The idea is to make sure they have the resources they need to investigate these crimes. We also want to build strong partnerships with the federal government, with agencies like the ATF, so we can work together to make our communities safer,” Morrow said.

A mobile unit of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) has been set up outside the summit. Edwin Garcia, a technician, said the mobile unit helps investigations get quick results.

“When they pick up a gun off the street, they confiscate it so it doesn't just go into an evidence room and sit there gathering dust. We actually test it from the back, get the shell casing and upload the 3D images and also the high-resolution images of it,” Garcia said.

Garcia said the 3D images would help trace the origin of the weapon or ammunition used in a crime.

“How did it get there so we can figure out how that supply chain worked and who is actually smuggling the big drugs there and take down those drug trafficking organizations?” Garcia said.

Will Thompson, a U.S. attorney for West Virginia, said the training is important because criminals also use technology.

“Given the resources we have and how we all work together, it would be a good time for them to change their approach,” Thompson said.

Charleston Police Chief Scott Dempsey said cooperation with other law enforcement agencies is essential in solving crimes and keeping the public safe.

All rights reserved.