The Firearms and Toolmarks Unit of the Broward Sheriff's Office Crime Laboratory conducts specialized forensic examinations involving firearms, ammunition, tools and impression evidence. This unit plays a critical role in criminal investigations by analyzing physical evidence to help determine how a crime was committed and to link evidence to suspects or crime scenes.

Analysts perform a wide range of examinations, including firearm function tests to assess mechanical integrity and safety. They determine the type of firearm used to discharge recovered bullets and cartridge cases and compare those components to specific firearms to establish associations. Evidence from multiple crime scenes may be compared to identify whether the same firearm was used, helping to uncover patterns or serial offenses.

The unit also estimates shooting distances, restores obliterated serial numbers on firearms and compares tool marks to suspected tools to determine origin. Fracture match analysis is used to determine whether broken pieces of evidence were once part of the same object. Additionally, analysts compare footwear and tire track impressions to recovered shoes and tires to support investigative leads.

The unit contributes to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), a national database that enables inter-case comparisons of ballistic evidence. Through NIBIN, analysts can identify links between cases across jurisdictions, providing valuable intelligence to law enforcement agencies.

Each examination is conducted using scientifically validated methods and analysts prepare detailed reports and provide expert witness testimony to support the judicial process. The Firearms and Tool Marks Unit is instrumental in delivering accurate, objective and actionable forensic evidence in the pursuit of justice.