A restricted gun licence holder holds an AR-15 at his home in Langley, B.C. on May 1, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Winnipeg police have expanded their Firearms Investigative Analysis Section (FIAS) to assist with firearms-related investigations across Manitoba.
Since 2020, Winnipeg police have used the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) and the national Canadian Integrated Ballistic Identification Network (CIBIN) to analyze cartridge casings and connect gun crimes locally and nationwide. On-site access to CIBIN has cut turnaround times for investigative leads from nearly a year to under three days.
To date, the unit has generated more than 200 leads. With the expansion, FIAS will now process ballistic evidence for all Manitoba police agencies, providing faster, actionable insights for gun crime investigations.
The move is part of a broader plan to develop a full provincial crime gun lab. Renovations at WPS headquarters will begin later this year to accommodate additional staff and equipment. The final phase will see the creation of a dedicated firearms laboratory. The expansion is being funded by the Manitoba government.
Watch Friday’s news conference:
