Federal and tribal law enforcement agencies have launched a major initiative to address violent crime on the Pine Ridge Reservation by testing more than 500 firearms held in evidence.
The effort, called Operation Ballistic Backlog, will enter previously untested weapons into a national database designed to link firearms to unsolved crimes. Officials say the move could generate new investigative leads and help solve longstanding cases.
Firearms are being test-fired on Pine Ridge, with evidence analyzed through a mobile lab in Rapid City. Authorities say each weapon leaves unique markings that can connect it to shootings locally or across the country.
The initiative is part of a broader federal effort to reduce crime on tribal lands and resolve cold cases. Officials say testing will continue for several weeks, with about 70 FBI personnel assisting nationwide.
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