January 22, 2004

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – AWARDS CEREMONY

WHO: Michigan State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

WHAT: Will present the MSP Professional Excellence Award to Rachel Stewart of the MSP Bridgeport Lab and Detectives Ronald Gwizdala and James Vondette of the Saginaw Police Department for their work in submitting firearms evidence to the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS)

WHEN: Thursday, January 22, 2004, 10 a.m.

WHERE: Bridgeport Forensic Science Laboratory, 6296 Dixie Hwy.

Bridgeport - At a special ceremony this morning, Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division Commander, Captain Michael Thomas was joined by Special Agent in Charge Valerie J. Goddard, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Detroit Field Division to present the department’s Professional Excellence Award to three individuals for their work in submitting firearms evidence to the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS).

The three honorees are Ms. Rachel Stewart, an IBIS technician at the Bridgeport Lab, and Detectives Ronald Gwizdala and James Vondette of the Saginaw Police Department. Evidence submitted by Detectives Gwizdala and Vondette, and processed by Ms. Stewart, has resulted in 43 "hits" or possible connections to previously non-related shooting events stored in IBIS.

IBIS is a computerized digital imaging system that captures digital photographs of fired bullets and cartridge cases. These images, or ‘fingerprints’, are stored in a database and can be electronically compared, one to another. IBIS is also connected to the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN), which is maintained by ATF.

NIBIN is a nationally interconnected, computer-assisted ballistics imaging system used by forensic firearms examiners across the country to obtain computerized images of unique marks made on bullets and/or cartridge cases when guns are fired. Through NIBIN, these images can then be compared rapidly with all other images in the system, which includes approximately 220 federal, state and local law enforcement laboratories. Using NIBIN and IBIS, evidence from multiple crime scenes can be linked, identifying patterns of criminal activity, and leading to the apprehension of suspects.

"Entry of crime scene evidence into IBIS is particularly vital. Our experience with the system has shown that the higher the percentage of crime scene evidence within an agency's database, the greater the agency's hit rate," stated ATF SAC Goddard. "We commend the MSP and the Saginaw PD for recognizing the true investigative value of IBIS, and for being leaders in Michigan in their use and knowledge of this technology."

Stewart, Gwizdala and Vondette are being recognized for experiencing the most "hits" of any NBIN user in the state. In the last year alone, firearms evidence from three different homicides was linked to weapons collected by the Saginaw Police Department. Using IBIS and NIBIN, 13 separate shooting scenes were linked to a single 9-mm weapon and eight separate shooting scenes were linked to a single 45-mm automatic weapon.

"It is with great pride that we recognize Detectives Gwizdala and Vondette for their diligence in processing these crime scenes and for their knowledge of IBIS and its value in solving crimes involving firearms," stated Captain Thomas. "With Ms. Stewart’s thoroughness, additional investigative leads on other criminal investigations have been provided to several other local law enforcement agencies for follow-up. This is one example of the great work that is happening at our forensic labs everyday."

In 2003, the Bridgeport Lab processed 483 entries in IBIS. This included 370 cartridge cases and 113 bullets. The Bridgeport Lab provides forensic science services to law enforcement agencies in Arenac, Bay, Genesee, Gladwin, Huron, Iosco, Lapeer, Midland, Ogemaw, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Bridgeport Forensic Science Laboratory: D/F/Lt. Robin Bratton, (989) 777-9300

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: PIO Vera Fedorak, (313) 259-7917, http://www.nibin.gov