In London, Ontario, the reported shootings have reached 20 in the year 2025, prompting the police to intensify efforts in identifying the sources of illegal firearms and removing them from circulation. The Guns and Gangs Section of the London Police Service (LPS) has already traced the origins of 31 firearms through the Firearms Analysis and Tracing Enforcement (FATE) process this year.
Providing insight into their investigative process, police officials shared details with CBC London on how they kickstart the procedure and gather crucial information ranging from the owner’s identity to the firearm’s history.
Upon receiving a firearm at the Forensics Identification Section lab, Det. Const. Craig Walsh, a forensic specialist, immediately begins the quest for clues. Emphasizing the significance of DNA in their forensic work, Walsh explains the meticulous process of swabbing the firearm for DNA traces to unveil valuable information, which is then sent to the Centre for Forensic Science in Toronto for analysis.
Following DNA collection, Walsh shifts focus to fingerprint analysis, utilizing specialized tools to dust the firearm for prints. The revealed fingerprints are compared against a national database for potential matches, aiding in identifying suspects associated with the weapon.
Moreover, apart from human fingerprints, firearms themselves leave unique marks that can be crucial in investigations. By firing a gun in the indoor shooting range and studying the resulting bullet imprints, investigators can match these fingerprints against those found at other crime scenes globally, enhancing their chances of linking weapons to criminal activities.
Adapting to evolving criminal behaviors, experts like Walsh are now dealing with challenges posed by ghost guns, such as 3D-printed firearms lacking traditional serial numbers. Despite the complexities, the presence of DNA and fingerprints on these weapons can still provide vital leads for law enforcement.
Det. Sgt. Jon Meinen highlighted the success rate in tracing the origin and sales history of firearms, with a significant percentage originating from the United States. The majority of the traced guns are associated with gang or drug-related activities, emphasizing the importance of preventing the influx of illegal firearms into London to curb gun-related incidents.
By understanding how these firearms enter the city and taking proactive measures to intercept them, law enforcement aims to reduce gun-related crimes and enhance public safety.