Birmingham Committee Recommended Police Tech Contract Transfer

The city looks to transition its ballistic analysis agreement to LeadsOnline to improve firearm investigation efficiency.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Birmingham Committee Recommended Police Tech Contract Transfer

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The Birmingham Public Safety Committee has recommended shifting a police technology contract to LeadsOnline following the company's acquisition of Evidence IQ. The move is intended to provide the Birmingham Police Department with new ballistic analysis capabilities.

Why it matters

The upgrade aims to help investigators identify links between shootings involving the same firearm more quickly. By adopting this technology, the department seeks to enhance its ability to connect firearm evidence across different crime scenes.

The Birmingham Public Safety Committee has endorsed the contract transfer, but the agreement still awaits final approval by the full Birmingham City Council. This transition is required for the department to begin using the IBIS ClearCase system.

The players

Birmingham Public Safety Committee

This local government body is responsible for reviewing and recommending public safety policies and contracts within the city of Birmingham.

Birmingham Police Department

This agency serves as the primary law enforcement organization for the city and handles local criminal investigations.

LeadsOnline

This technology company provides investigative tools for law enforcement agencies and recently acquired Evidence IQ.

Birmingham City Council

This is the legislative body of the city that holds final authority over municipal contracts and budgetary approvals.

The details

The IBIS ClearCase software utilizes high-resolution imaging to analyze shell casings and identify correlations between evidence. While the system can process 20 casings in under 20 minutes, users must still re-acquire casings on a separate system to submit them to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.

The city originally executed the agreement with Evidence IQ in January 2025.
The Birmingham Public Safety Committee discussed the contract transfer on October 13, 2026.
The current city agreement with Evidence IQ is set to expire on January 31, 2028.

Legal Context

This transition reflects a broader trend of police departments adopting private sector software to manage forensic backlogs. Such tools often operate alongside systems like the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network to expedite localized investigations.

The adoption of this technology aims to improve the speed of firearm investigations in the Birmingham area. Residents may see more efficient resolution of gun-related crimes as police gain faster access to forensic links.

The takeaway

Advancements in ballistic analysis software are increasingly becoming standard tools for modern police departments. Implementing these systems allows investigators to process evidence batches significantly faster than traditional manual methods.