TWO potentially lethal handguns were used in the attack that left PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell fighting for his life.
The senior police officer remains critical but stable in hospital after being shot repeatedly by two men at a sports complex near Omagh last Wednesday.
Police said on Friday, two days after the attack, that the New IRA is their "primary line of enquiry".
The high profile officer was training an underage soccer team at the Youth Sport Omagh complex at Killyclogher Road when he was targeted.
The Irish News understands that a revolver and a 9mm handgun were used in the attack where up to 10 rounds were fired.
It is believed PSNI forensic teams have recovered both spent and live rounds at the scene.
The presence of live rounds, which it is understood may have been dropped by one of the gunmen, is rare.
It is believed the items have all been sent for DNA testing.
After being confronted by the two gunmen as he packed footballs into his car Mr Caldwell made an attempt to escape before stumbling to the ground.
Police say around ten shots were fired with four bullets reported to have struck Mr Caldwell.
In the seconds after he collapsed members of the public, including a doctor, ran to his aid as the gunmen made their escape.
Is understood the seriously injured PSNI detective said the words "dissidents" to those working to save his life before he fell unconscious.
In the hours after the attack there had been unfounded rumours circulating on social media that a well known drugs gang may have been involved in the attack.
The suspected getaway car was later found at Racolpa Road, between near Carrickmore and Omagh.
It is understood the car, which was recently sold online, had fake number plates attached.
Despite the Stormont stalemate leaders of the five main political parties held a joint press conference alongside PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne on Friday.
They issued a joint statement on Thursday in a show of unity against those responsible.
Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill described the shooting as an “attack on the peace process”.
To date six men have been arrested in the Omagh, Coalisland and Stewartstown areas of Co Tyrone in relation to the attack.
On Saturday a court granted an extension to the detention of the suspects, aged 22, 38, 45 and 47, arrested in Coalisland and Omagh last week, until 10pm on Tuesday.
A similar extension has also been granted in the case of a 43-year-old man arrested in Stewartstown on Friday.
A 71-year-old man detained in the Omagh area on Saturday remains in custody.