DENVER – Jacksonville city leaders traveled to Denver to learn more about a new crime-fighting technology.
State Attorney Melissa Nelson and members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office met Tuesday with officials at the Denver Police Department and federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
They're learning about a national ballistics database that could be coming to Jacksonville soon. It uses high-resolution cameras to link guns and bullets to crimes -- just like fingerprints.
The I-TEAM also went to Denver to find out more about how the technology works and what it means for people in the River City.
Denver police and ATF agents told the I-TEAM that they've been really successful teaming up and using the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) to solve crimes in Colorado.
"It really helps us in those instances where we have no information," said Sgt. Todd Bonfante with the Denver Police Department.
The device scans bullets found at crime scenes, as well as guns used in crimes. Each has its own unique fingerprint, which is put into a national database and gives leads to detectives.
"So within 24 to 48 hours, those shell casings are being entered. The crimes are matched and the investigative follow up is helping to put those people in prison," said ATF Special Agent Christopher Amon.
Right now, Nelson said, investigations have to send the evidence off to a state lab -- a length process that can take more than a year to get results.
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Nelson, as well as Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams, told the I-TEAM that the technology is a big priority for them as they work together to stop the violence in Jacksonville. Curry is asking the City Council for $250,000 to pay for it.
Curry and Williams had planned to make the trip to Denver, but their flights were canceled due to weather.
The I-TEAM will have more on how the technology works in a special report next week.