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Introduction
Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs) have emerged as one of the most significant innovations in contemporary firearm-related criminal investigations in the United States. As firearm violence is among the most catastrophic and destructive of all offenses, often disproportionately impacting communities that also experience lower clearance rates, police have increasingly adopted CGICs to improve the speed, accuracy, and investigative capabilities in firearm-related investigations. By adopting advanced analytical and forensic technologies, CGICs aim to generate and disseminate actionable crime gun intelligence, strengthen investigative capacity, improve accountability for violent offenders, increase clearance rates, and reduce firearm crimes and violence.
However, despite the recent proliferation of CGICs, scientific evidence remains limited and fragmented. This special issue will therefore advance our understanding of how, why, and under what conditions CGICs are most effective, utilizing rigorous scientific methodologies, data, and measures. Collectively, articles in this issue should examine any of the multiple dimensions of CGIC implementation and performance, including process evaluations of organizational structures, missions, and operational practices associated with successful CGICs; impact evaluations assessing effects on firearm violence, crime gun recoveries, and investigative efficiency; qualitative research exploring investigator perspectives, implementation challenges, best practices, and lessons learned to illustrate both the strengths and limitations of CGICs.
Research in this special issue will have notable implications for police executives, investigators, policymakers, and researchers seeking evidence-based approaches to reducing firearm violence. This collection will therefore provide strong empirical foundation for future CGIC research and practical guidance for agencies seeking to maximize the effectiveness of crime gun intelligence in promoting safer and more resilient communities.
List of Topic Areas
- Process evaluations of the mission, operations, and procedures used in the most successful CGICs, and why
- Evaluations of CGICs impact on gun crime, violence, crime gun recovery, and police investigations
- Investigator perceptions of CGICs and impact, best practices, and lessons learned
- Qualitative analysis of CGIC cases to illustrate themes of benefits and limitations in shooting investigations
- Inter-relationship between CGICs and NIBIN, value added of both on lead development, input, and output.
Guest Editors
Bryanna Fox, University of South Florida USA, [email protected]
Ed McGarrell, Michigan State University USA, [email protected]
Submissions Information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Author guidelines must be strictly followed.
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”. Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key Deadlines
Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 29th June 2026
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 30th September 2026
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