The Monroe County Crime Lab excels at using science to promote justice, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The ATF recognized the crime lab for reaching 4,000 leads added to the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network. It's a database of images and evidence that flags links between shooting incidents or recovered weapons and shootings. 

Leaders say the system relies on collaboration between a network of resources. 

"The only way we could reduce this violent crime is if all of us are working on the same page together, from the lab to the investigators, to the attorney's office, everybody on the same page addressing the violent crime. That's how we win this," said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bryan Digirolamo.

“The Monroe County Crime Lab is a critical tool and partner for our local and national law enforcement agencies, particularly as we have experienced an increase in gun violence over the last several years,” said Bello. “Thanks to the efforts of the crime lab team, we have significantly increased the speed at which images are entered and evaluated and investigative leads are sent out to investigators, helping to bring justice to victims and families in our community.”

The crime lab began with just over 100 leads in 2018. It recorded more than 1,700 leads last year.