The Crime Lab provides key support to the mission of the police department “The Fort Worth Police Department exists to safeguard the lives and property of those we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety through partnering and building trust with the community.” 

The Firearm Unit test-fires recovered firearms, conducts comparative microscopic examinations of bullets and cartridge cases in order to determine origin, enters appropriate cartridge case evidence into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), restores obliterated serial numbers on firearms, conducts non-firearm tool mark examinations and conducts muzzle to target distance determination testing.  The work done in this Unit assists detectives in identifying criminal offenders and exonerating the innocent; it also assists the American Judicial system by offering expert witness testimony in regard to forensic examinations that were conducted.