Game-Changing Ballistics Program

Elite law enforcement training and first-class ballistic science research are now available at East Tennessee State University through the addition of a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) station. ETSU is the only university in the country to house this system.

The NIBIN is a nationwide system that allows law enforcement agencies to track and link evidence from crime scenes, helping to identify firearms used in multiple incidents.

“NIBIN represents a significant advancement in our efforts to combat crime and ensure justice,” said Dr. Michael Lehrfeld, Director of the Institute of Cyber and Homeland Security at ETSU and a member of the FBI’s cybercrime task force.

Last fall, ETSU welcomed 75 law enforcement officers to the Brinkley Center for NIBIN training. Officers gaining hands-on experience using NIBIN machines will elevate the capabilities of law enforcement in the community.

Frank Light, a detective with the university’s police department, has taken the training.

“This is a game-changer for both our students and the broader law enforcement community,” Light said. “Having NIBIN at ETSU not only enhances our ability to investigate and solve crimes, but it also provides invaluable hands-on experience for the next generation of forensic and criminal justice professionals.”

By Hannah Askew