Moriarty Bill Establishes Ballistics Analysis Device Pilot Program in Certain Municipalities

TRENTON – The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on Thursday advanced a bill sponsored by Senator Paul Moriarty that would require the New Jersey Attorney General (AG) to establish a 90-day pilot program designed to assist with ballistics analysis in the 10 municipalities with the highest violent crime rates.

Ballistics involves the examination of evidence from firearms that could have been used in a crime, such as microscopic marks or fingerprints left behind on a bullet or cartridge case. Ballistics is a proven tool for modern law enforcement, but it can also be incredibly time-consuming, most commonly due to inadequate technology. In turn, crime investigations may become backlogged, delaying justice for victims and limiting the ability of police to interrupt patterns of violent crime. 

Under Bill S-4460, each participating local law enforcement agency would receive a ballistics scanning device to contribute to the agencies evidentiary and firearm intelligence and investigatory processes. 

“This program would be significant for the municipalities most impacted by violent crime in New Jersey,” said Senator Moriarty (D-Atlantic/Camden/Gloucester). “It would equip police officers with a technological toolkit designed to quickly analyze and investigate crimes involving firearms, contributing to a more efficient ballistics process and therefore safer and more secure communities.” 

Following completion of the pilot program, the chief law enforcement officer of each participating municipality is expected to submit a detailed report to the AG containing information regarding uses of the device and a recommendation for continued use by their agency. 



The AG must subsequently recommend whether the pilot program should be made permanent in these ten municipalities, ultimately enhancing accountability, reducing violent crime, and building public confidence in the criminal justice system for years to come.