| In Your Industry - Forensics |
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Quick Links: Forensics
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Forensic laboratories provide services in the areas of biochemistry (DNA Analysis), latent prints, trace evidence, documents, drug analysis, firearms and toxicology for a wide range of customers such as law enforcement agencies, pathology labs, prisons, drug rehabilitation centers and private customers. The exponential growth in sample analysis in recent years has forced forensic labs to turn to LIMS systems to efficiently manage of large volumes of data including case information evidence, evidence items, victims, suspects, and charges.
It is no surprise that forensic labs face unique challenges since its information management systems is responsible for managing all case and examination data generated on evidence submissions. A key requirement of the LIMS is that it’s flexible, secure and powerful.with rigorous testing and real-time monitoring.
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A sampling of the crime lab duties include:
- Tracking the collection, disposition and release of all evidence
- Managing the workflow of all scientific analyses performed
- Scheduling, completion and release of results for both single analysis and batch analyses
- Manage standard and complex study protocols
- Strong chain of custody / audit trail / security
- Barcode or RFID capabilities of all evidence, reports and images
- Interfacing with forensic/scientific instruments
- Automated test runs and transfer of results back to LIMS
- Integrating digital photographic technology used in fingerprinting, hair, fibers and other imaging with case files
- Managing and coordinating the field call outs associated with fingerprinting, homicides and clandestine labs
- Creating and arching of summary reports generated on all forensic analyses
- Automated reports on toxicology, forensic alcohol and controlled substance analyses
- Automatic extraction and integration of LIMS data into word processing and spreadsheet applications
- Comparing, searching, and matching DNA profiles
- Adherence to regulatory boards such as ASCLD, FDA (21 CFR Part 11) and ISO
- Accelerate decision making
- Create an information rich environment (knowledge) in order to make better decisions and sooner…not just the data anymore
- All while complying with fierce regulatory requirements!
Thermo Scientific addresses these needs head on with its rich functionality and flexible framework of Nautilus LIMS™. Nautilus LIMS™ is secure, easily extendible and offers significant advantages for high throughput forensic laboratories by providing:
- Complete audit trails and traceability functions that comply with standards i.e. record functions, users, time stamps, electronic signatures, etc.
- Sample integrity and chain of custody, allowing samples that are stored in a secure area to be only accessible to authorized personnel using electronic passes
- Extensive automated workflow engine capability to address procedures, instrument sequences, business rules, etc.
- Customization using extensions and standard languages
- Instrument integration capability to most major test and measurement devices
- Easy integration of barcodes and analytical robots
- Simple and automated dissemination of information
- Real time and historical trending of data
- Plate handling
In Good Company
Here’s what Trevor De Silva at Horse-Racing Forensic Laboratory has to say about how forensics labs can count on us……. “Some innovations were built into Nautilus specifically at our request, and now feature in the final product. One of these is a ‘rack’ system which mimics our sample handling racks and autosampler trays. This feature of LIMS works very well for us, and really mirrors the way we work. The technology that Thermo Scientific has produced with workflows is a definite development for LIMS - it gives total flexibility to the laboratory and there is nothing like it available in the world. You can change the business rules in the laboratory, and be up and running with the LIMS in a very short time, without needing to customize.”
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