Poster #12 - Evaluating Turnaround Times for Firearms and Related Evidence at the Atlanta Police Department

• In Event: Poster Session I (posters 1 - 79)

Abstract

Timely processing of firearms and related evidence is vital to the investigative process. Agencies must conduct routine reviews of their turnaround times—measured from receipt of evidence to publication of the report—and implement improvements when needed. This study is a process evaluation of the turnaround time for firearms and related evidence at the Atlanta Police Department (APD). The data used for this analysis was obtained directly from the APD and ATF and covers evidence processing from recovery to NIBIN acquisition within the context of the department’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) from January to December 2025. Focusing on overall turnaround times as well as the various points along the way allows for the identification of inefficiencies and bottlenecks. The findings from this analysis will be compiled and reported to the APD as part of an ongoing collaboration aimed at improving the investigative efficiency of their CGIC. The results of this analysis and subsequent improvement suggestions will further serve to inform future evaluations for other agencies.

Authors

• Dean Dabney, Georgia State University

• Olivia Holt, Georgia State University