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The aim (!) of the NFFID is to provide automated comparison system of items, such as cartridges, using information now held in one central point so that guns used in crimes nationally can be linked together. Previously such comparisons could only take place locally.

The NFFID consists of two separate computer databases. The first collates information about weapons and ammunition while the second, known as the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) compares fired ammunition and recovered weapons at the scenes of crimes so that they can be linked with other crimes. However, confirmation is still done manually.

The police force says that IBIS can be linked to other databases internationally to monitor and compare weapons used in cross-border crime.

The NFFID has been funded to the tune of £1.1 million by the Home Office which has also set aside another £500,000 towards police operating costs.