informatics in forensics
Howard Harvey, senior consultant, IDBS
I
n the forensics research environment, organisations
are looking for software that
protects intellectual property, is easy to use, is easily searchable and which can be used on an enterprise scale. For forensics case work, organisations are looking for compliant software that is easy to configure on an enterprise level, is robust, and has full audit logs and version controls. In addition they need easy searching and reporting, such that all relevant case-work can be easily retrieved. Organisations are also looking for added
value to make users more efficient, so they can spend less time creating reports and entering data and more time in the lab. With forensics labs acting more in the private sector, they are looking for increased operational efficiencies. Important metrics for such forensic labs is their case turnaround time – the time it takes from
operations. Due to the nature of the work carried out, there is also high importance placed on security and quality management with legal requirements to comply with, ensuring chain of custody throughout the process. From a systems perspective, LabWare
F
LIMS will facilitate compliance to a number of standards, which relate to providing system controls and traceability of the work carried out. From a LIMS perspective, the increased use of DNA analysis techniques and the advances in automation has provided a significant change in the overall operations of forensic processes, with new and increasingly sensitive techniques being applied. These more sensitive techniques have led to many cases being reopened years afterwards due to new information becoming available. With the adoption of new techniques over the last 10 years, new standards and legal requirements have come into place ensuring evidential integrity. LabWare LIMS is designed to facilitate
regulatory compliance, and our Forensic Template solution provides additional
14 SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING WORLD
orensic organisations are subject to a wide range of national and international standards, with compliance, security and control being an integral aspect of their
case work entering the lab to the results being communicated to the customer, often the police. Software like E-WorkBook allows forensic labs to streamline their workflows and reduce these turnaround times. E-WorkBook allows organisations in the
forensics sector to manage their data, both research data and case data, in a coherent manner. All data is centrally stored in context with full audit trails and it is fully searchable so that powerful, flexible reports can be easily generated. For compliant practices, E-WorkBook allows organisations to control how data is managed, with audit logs, version control of cases and experiments, and controlled data entry and workflow management. A lab should think about how easy the
software is to configure and roll out – they should have a fully defined project. Think about how robust the software package is – what if the software vendor goes out of business? How can the data be extracted? If a forensics lab is considering developing
its own software, its managers should think long and hard about future maintenance implications. The organisation should also consider
how the software package can streamline its working practices to make them more efficient. This will aid improvement in laboratories’ case turnaround time, an important measure of the lab’s performance and a tangible money saver for the lab. E-WorkBook combines all case
information and evidence into one highly secure, searchable and accessible system. The application provides added content, while retaining raw data. It enables users to annotate information and add images, while maintaining original, unaltered data, and monitors and maintains chain of ownership and process control. The application seamlessly integrates with existing LIMS systems while extending its capabilities. With forensics moving more into
the private sector (we have already seen the announced closure of the Forensics Science Service) we will see more emphasis on efficiency in forensics case work. So in the future, we are going to see more data management software being used in forensics.
John Gabathuler, director, LabWare
beneficial features to further assist our forensic customers. Forensic laboratories have certain requirements that are often not found in other types of laboratory. LabWare has therefore, with the help of our many forensic customers, designed modules to accommodate these requirements. Advanced facilities are provided for
tracking information, ensuring the complete audit trail and full chain of custody are maintained throughout, as well as the comprehensive reporting and cross- checking facilities required. Automation and integration to instrumentation, analysers, robotics, databases and business systems are also provided within the LabWare Forensic template using standard, supported functionality provided for these purposes. One aspect that has changed is the
increased emphasis on DNA techniques within the forensic industry, and with this there has also been increased automation with the capabilities of the integration to the instrumentation and analysers, allowing higher throughputs and decreases in turnaround times. The increased pressure of regulation has also led to additional
features to assist our customers in maintaining compliance, as well as reducing turnaround time. With
governments and services dealing with increased risk, the overall pressures and requirements for forensic organisations to adapt continue at an increased pace. Innovation and new techniques become more widely used incorporating new technologies. LabWare LIMS provides comprehensive
capabilities enabling forensics laboratories to support investigations and provide technical services to law enforcement agencies. Due to the complexity of data and workflow involved in such an operation today, a tool to manage the processing, testing, storage and handling of evidence through the laboratory is an industry requirement. LIMS facilitates better management of evidence and its associated data along with improved efficiencies, enabling forensics operations to focus their effort on the task at hand – law enforcement.
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