FORENSICS
Go beyond the
profile, with LIMS tracking the sample at
every step and integrating directly into the
instrumentation,’ explains Heather LaSalle,
everyday.
EVERY DAY.
DNA analyst at Broward Sheriff’s office. DNA
profiles can then be analysed against CODIS
(Combined DNA Index System), a national
US DNA database created by the FBI, to
generate matches and potential suspects.
One of the most important resources for
a DNA forensics laboratory in the US is
CODIS, but only certain profiles can be
entered into CODIS. The LIMS allows the
Symyx Notebook
laboratory to store and maintain its own
The Freedom to Experiment.
database of profiles it needs for its own use.
The forensic science laboratories of the Maryland State Police is using LIMS software to track
‘LIMS has the flexibility to do this, and
samples and manage workflows. Image courtesy of Starlims.
DNA profiles could be cross-matched against
Whether it’s on the trail or in the
CODIS and against the local database stored was instrumental in the establishment of the maintain,’ he says. LIMS is able to interact
lab, you want the freedom to
in LIMS,’ notes Duncan. world’s first DNA database, the UK National with laboratory equipment and improves
take new approaches, routes, and
A scandal involving the Baltimore Police DNA Database (NDNAD), and has recently efficiency of preparing files and collecting
paths to your goals. That’s why
Department in which unknown profiles – launched a rapid DNA profiling service that results.
there’s Symyx Notebook. It’s the
suspects who it was assumed were still at large can produce results in less than 24 hours. This Currently, the forensic science division
– turned out to be contamination from staff, is available to police forces across the country of the Maryland State Police is still testing
only electronic laboratory notebook
brought into question the DNA evidence and enables the express processing of priority its system, with two users per discipline
that can be deployed across the
provided for those cases. ‘The techniques DNA submissions. working together to address any problems
enterprise in multiple scientific
involved in amplifying DNA are extremely Duncan of Broward Sheriff’s office notes experienced with the new technology. This
disciplines. With Symyx Notebook,
sensitive,’ notes Duncan and it’s in this type that the National Institute of Justice, the means the analysts are effectively doing twice research teams share a single
of scenario where an internal database of research, development, and evaluation the work, as traditional working procedures application to document, work,
staff DNA profiles could have avoided the agency of the US Department of Justice, gives are carried out in parallel to using the
collaborate, and speed the
mistake. priority in funding to laboratories using a LIMS. ‘LIMS is one of those technological
experimentation workflow.
‘The most important thing for a DNA LIMS, which is a big incentive for laboratories changes that have a difficult initial period
forensics laboratory is to make sure you get the to implement the systems. of testing, but will eventually improve the
Symyx Notebook streamlines
right answer and that you don’t falsely include Christiansen of the University of management of workloads,’ says Hopp of the capture of all experimental
or falsely exclude someone from the case,’ Copenhagen says that the amount of forensic Maryland State Police. ‘The workload for information and intellectual ideas.
states Duncan. ‘LIMS is exacting enough, but work has increased dramatically and work a number of disciplines within the forensic
Everyday tasks such as data capture
also flexible enough to give a good handle on processes have become more and more science division has increased and LIMS is
and note taking are optimized and
the data, which means the analysts are less automated. ‘The consequence has been that a necessary technological advancement in
automated. All of which gives you
likely to make inadvertent errors.’ we now have far more data to collect and managing that.’
the time and freedom you need
‘Data management in forensic science is
to experiment—and get back to
not just one single issue,’ comments Kemp
Explosives database doing science.
of Thermo Fisher Scientific. ‘Although
some aspects are common to all, differences
a team at university of rhode Island in the establishing the heat release, is also
To learn more, visit
in working practices, differences in
uS has developed a database of explosives essential. The database includes spectrum
www.symyx.com/notebook6
criminal justice systems and differences in
intended for use by forensic laboratories. from various instruments – infrared, raman,
the relationship between the laboratory
Professor Jimmie Oxley, heading up the team, mass spectrometers, and DSc – as well as
compiled the database to act as a useful remarks as to protocols for synthesis and
organisation and its customers (police internal,
reference point for forensic laboratories and disposal of common military, commercial
police external, independent contract etc.)
counter terrorism agencies when identifying and homemade explosives. The database
all have a significant impact.’
explosive material. utilised software from Toronto-based acDLabs
Thermo Scientific’s Nautilus LIMS product
‘Prior to this database, laboratories would to capture the spectrum. ‘The software
is currently being used by the Forensic
have to create their own library of spectra from acDLabs had to be multi-instrument
Science Service (FSS), a UK Government- when identifying explosive material,’ says compatible,’ notes Oxley.
owned company providing forensic science to Oxley. ‘The aim of the project is to allow users The project was funded by the Oklahoma
international law enforcement agencies, world
to upload a spectrum and match it against a city memorial Institute for the Prevention of
judiciary systems and private sector customers.
spectrum on the database.’ Terrorism (mIPT); and Oxley feels that, with
In a typical year, the FSS handles more than
Identification methods for materials further development, the database will provide
100,000 criminal cases, involving some 2,600
generally rely on spectroscopy, although a comprehensive resource on explosives for
for energetic materials, calorimetry (DSc), forensic laboratories. © 2008 Symyx is a registered trademark
staff in 14 facilities across the UK. The FSS
of Symyx Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
18
SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING WORLD february/march 2009 www.scientific-computing.com
SCWfeb09 pp16-19 Forensics.indd 18 4/2/09 10:42:06
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