Thunder Bay Police Service acquires ballistics lab for Forensic Identification Unit

August 19, 2026

The Thunder Bay Police Service is pleased to announce the acquisition of a ballistics lab.
 
The facility was developed to provide the Thunder Bay Police Service Forensic Identification (Ident) Unit with a dedicated, controlled space for firearms-related forensic work.
 
The facility will allow trained Ident members to safely conduct test firing and recover bullets and other ballistic evidence for examination and comparison.
 
The container was custom built locally by StrongBox Inc with ballistic safety panels which allows officers to conduct testing in the safest manner.
 
The bullet recovery tank was purchased from Cyber National Inc out of the US which was recommended by the Ontario Centre of Forensic Sciences as one of the best options in North 
America and is certified to withstand shots up to .50 Caliber ammunition testing.
 
Some of the main benefits include: 
• A dedicated and controlled environment for firearms testing and bullet recovery. 
• Improved efficiency by allowing this work to be completed locally rather than relying on outside facilities 
• Faster processing of firearms-related evidence and reduced delays in investigations 
• Improved ability to recover bullets in a condition suitable for subsequent forensic examination and comparison 
• Increased operational capability for the Forensic Identification Unit and support for major and firearms-related investigations
 
The project was supported through Community Safety and Policing (CSP) grant funding, which assisted with the purchase of the bullet recovery system, and other equipment required to establish the facility. 

Investigation update

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