In London, Ontario, the reported shootings have reached 20 in 2025, prompting the police to intensify efforts to identify the sources of illegal firearms and remove them from circulation. The Guns and Gangs Section of the London Police Service (LPS) has already traced the origins of 31 guns this year through the Firearms Analysis and Tracing Enforcement (FATE) process.
CBC London was granted access by police officials to observe the intricate process of firearms analysis and tracing, shedding light on how investigators uncover crucial details such as the owner’s identity and the firearm’s origin.
Upon receiving a firearm at the Forensics Identification Section lab, Det. Const. Craig Walsh, a forensic specialist, immediately commences the search for clues. The lab is equipped with advanced technology, but the initial step often involves collecting DNA, which is crucial in forensic investigations. Walsh explained that DNA swabs are taken from textured or grooved parts of the weapon to detect skin cells, bodily fluids, or other DNA sources.
After the DNA samples are sent to the Centre for Forensic Science in Toronto, it’s common to find DNA from multiple individuals, providing valuable leads for potential arrests and gun seizures. Following DNA collection, Walsh focuses on fingerprint analysis, utilizing a brush and fine powder to dust the firearm’s surface for prints. Successful prints can be compared to the RCMP national database for potential matches with suspects.
Additionally, firearms leave unique “fingerprints” on bullets and casings, which Walsh preserves by firing guns in the indoor shooting range. These marks are crucial for cross-referencing with an international database to link firearms to other crime scenes.
Walsh emphasized the evolving tactics of criminals, including the use of ghost guns, 3D-printed firearms without identifiable markers. Despite challenges in tracing such weapons, DNA and fingerprints can still provide vital leads. Most firearms processed in the lab are store-bought handguns, with criminals increasingly leaving serial numbers intact to avoid detection.
Det. Sgt. Jon Meinen from the Guns and Gangs Section highlighted the significance of lab work in tackling gun-related crimes. He mentioned a high success rate in tracing gun origins, with a majority of firearms entering London from the United States. Meinen stressed that understanding how guns enter the city is crucial to reducing gun activity and disrupting gang/drug-related crimes.
The continuous effort to track firearm origins aims to prevent illegal guns from entering London, ultimately leading to a decrease in gun-related incidents.
