Sample Tracking and Lab Management Software for DNA Crime Laboratories
Revolutionize your lab’s ability to reduce risk and streamline DNA evidence processing
“Following an extensive search of available LIMS, STACS®Casework is the only software we saw that fundamentally understood the DNA testing process and supported multiple DNA labs. Other vendors said they could customize their product to our processes, but STACS had a leg up in understanding and addressing DNA testing.”
— Leslie Parke, Forensic DNA Laboratory Director, Signature Science
Developed with forensic experts, STACS Casework delivers end-to-end sample tracking, documentation and control, giving your team the power to reduce turnaround time, meet quality standards and effectively manage your daily workload. Labs using STACS Casework report being able to process 43% more samples and 30% more cases – with the same number of analysts.
STACS Casework integrates with your existing LIMS, CODIS, analysis software and lab instruments. It assists lab staff through their workflow, documenting all activities performed in your laboratory. Using a convenient barcode-based identification system, it tracks users, samples, batches and the consumables and instruments used throughout your workflow to create an automatic audit trail.
Routine tasks such as data check and comparisons, calculations, and data entry are all done for you, saving you valuable time every day. STACS Casework also helps with documenting cases, resolving troubleshooting incidents, performing peer review, conducting audits—and more—so that you can focus on processing more samples and cases.
If your lab already has a LIMS, STACS Casework can be integrated to handle all your DNA requirements and eliminate double data entry—or, STACS Casework can work on its own as the LIMS for your DNA lab. Everything is in STACS Casework—a repository for casework data as well as grant tracking and lab operations records. No more log books or intermediary steps.
Customers using STACS Casework in their lab report:
Improved efficiency
- 43% more samples processed
- 30% more cases processed
Improved quality
- Improves documentation quality, detail and standardization
- Prevents errors
- Data capture reduces risks and records corrective actions
- Smoother audits due to easy access to data
- Paperless lab – eliminates log books
STACS Casework saves you significant time in the lab:
100% time savings
- Verifying consumable status (release, expiry)
- Verifying instrument maintenance logs
- Performing cross contamination verification of samples
80% time savings
- Managing samples and instrumentation (including tracking, batch control, and generating transaction files)
- Resolving troubleshooting incidents
40%-100% time savings
- Documenting case information, including profile interpretation and DNA database submission
- Performing peer review
- Documenting QC testing processes
- Preparing documents for legal proceedings (deposition, discovery request, court cases)
- Managing and performing audits
Features & Capabilities
This diagram shows STACS Casework capabilities, with laboratory processing as the heartbeat of your lab.
Security: STACS Casework maintains security and confidentiality while ensuring that lab staff have access to the information they need; role based access control (RBAC) restricts user access based on their assigned user role.
Configuration: Configure and manage every task in the DNA lab with a flexible and robust configuration system that supports client based control.
Click on topics below to learn what STACS Casework can do for your lab.
- Manage case details through a central location including processing files and case documents
- Monitor analyst caseload to ensure processing of cases in a timely manner
- Itemized containers for increased evidence tracking and improve documentation quality
- Configure agency reports with consistent wording for improved communication
- Document Technical and Administrative Review using configurable checklists
Quality Control
- Prevent use of consumables that have expired, are awaiting QA/QC or have not been released
- Prevent use of instruments that require maintenance or are out of service
Screening and Sample Collection
- Conduct screening exams and record exam results
- Link images and files associated to screening
- Document 2nd reader verification of screening exams as required
- Record collection of samples and barcode for tracking during DNA analysis
DNA Processing
- Process samples using the latest methodologies for extraction, quantitation and amplification
- Batch samples for efficient processing
- Track batches, samples and controls with the STACS Casework barcode tracking system
- Calculate normalization parameters using configurable STACS Casework thresholds or import results from robotics
- Expedite processing with automatically generated worklists and sample sheets
- Capture every detail of processing a sample including; combining, diluting, concentrating and reworking
- Track extract volumes to assist with processing decisions
- Verify sample position through configurable tube checks
Analyze and Interpret Profiles
- Import profiles from your analysis software and compare allele calls between injections
- Perform control profile validations to ensure concordance
- Compare allele calls against NDIS acceptable values
- Track additional processing after profile analysis
- Document profile interpretation to include number of contributors and observations
- Distinguish contributor allele calls manually or import from probabilistic genotyping applications
- Link analysis and interpretation files including project files, raw data or electropherograms
Setup and Maintenance
- Set up and manage instruments, robots and other lab equipment
- Design, schedule and perform instrument maintenance tasks; record and review maintenance results in STACS Casework
- Automate routine tasks such as allocation, verification and instrument status checks to streamline lab processing
- Supports the following instruments – if your instruments are not on the list, let us know
| Manufacturer | Model |
|---|---|
| Beckman Coulter | Biomek 3000 |
| Bio-Rad | iQ5 |
| Hamilton | MicroLab 4000, MicroLab 4200, MP4800, STARlet, 2200MPH |
| Perkin Elmer | 9700, Janus |
| Promega | Maxwell 16, Maxwell 16 LEV, Spectrum |
| Qiagen | QIAgility, QIAgility, EZ1, EZ1 Advanded XL, QIAcube, QIAsymphony |
| Tecan | Freedom Evo, Freedom Evo 150, Freedom Evo 200 |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific | 310, 3100, 3130, 3130XL, 3500, 3500XL, 3730, 7000, 7500, Veriti |
Transaction Files
- Configure and generate transaction files for use during setup, eliminating redundant data entry
Processing Outputs
- Import instrument processing results into STACS Casework
- Manage agency information including addresses, phone numbers and individual contacts
- Track sexual assault kit turnaround times
- Generate upload files for CODIS, PopStats and Y-Stats, preventing manual data entry errors
- Import Match Detail reports to track CODIS hits and confirmation status
- Track consumable and sample processing associated to external funding such as NIJ grants
- Bridge with agency-specific databases such as Track-Kit from STACS DNA, California CODIS Hits Outcome Project (CHOP), California Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Tracking (SAFE-T) or Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
- Create and generate dynamic user-defined reports on a wide range of lab performance metrics and processes
- Generate funding and performance reports for grant audits
- Generate a wide range of system-defined reports such as processing reports, consumable reports, instrument maintenance reports, management reports and audit reports
Dynamic Search
- Create user defined queries to mine information from the STACS Casework database
- Save queries as private or share them publicly
- Export results in a wide range of formats or copy to the clipboard and paste into your desired application
Configuration
- Define consumables in your laboratory for inventory tracking
- Configure consumable properties such as supplier, price per unit, shelf life, quality control requirements and storage conditions
Ordering and Inventory
- Generate consumable orders and review ordering history
- Receive consumables to track lot numbers, expiration dates, consumable status and existing inventory
- Breakdown kits to associate component details such as component lot number and expiration dates
- Prepare consumables from configured recipes
- Associate aliquots to their source container
- Release consumables into the lab to ensure “first in, first out” consumable use
Quality Control
- Define QA/QC requirements and configure QA/QC processes
- Conduct QA/QC processing and record processing results
- Link QA/QC result files
Storage Management
- Use the Storage Location module to configure storage units and define storage guidelines based on consumable/sample type
- Locate and retrieve consumables/samples quickly with the STACS barcode tracking system
- Maintain secure storage access with Role-based access control (RBAC)
SOP Management
- Upload and manage SOPs for workflows in the lab
- Track SOP version in association with historic lab activities
User Certification Records
- Store laboratory staff CV and certification logs in STACS Casework for quick discovery
Integration with Other STACS DNA Products
Integrates with Track-Kit
STACS Casework integrates with Track-Kit™ to seamlessly track sexual assault kits both inside the lab and across your jurisdiction.
Integrates with STACS Database
Transfer samples and sample profiles between STACS Casework and STACS Database to support different processes and profiling tasks.
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D.C. Consolidated Forensic Laboratory
Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Fort Worth Police Department (Texas)
Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory (Ohio)
Michigan State Police
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (Michigan)
Pennsylvania State Police
Santa Clara Crime Laboratory (California)
Scottsdale Police (Arizona)
Signature Science
STACS Casework (STACS-CW) customers said:
“Following an extensive search of available LIMS, STACS Casework is the only software we saw that fundamentally understood the DNA testing process and supported multiple DNA labs,” says Leslie Parke, Forensic DNA Laboratory Director, Signature Science. “Other vendors said they could customize their product to our processes, but STACS had a leg up in understanding and addressing DNA testing.”
“We are doubling, sometimes tripling our previous processing rates.”
“It’s the equivalent of saving a million dollars a year.”
“We are doing more with fewer people”
“The technical review process has become a breeze!”
“We must have cut audits in half time-wise with the use of STACS.”
“[STACS] is really like having another body and that is very, very useful.”
“STACS-CW allows us to look at whole case cradle-to-grave.”
“I can’t imagine where we would be if we didn’t have [STACS].”
“Insanely high throughput with maximum efficiency.”
“There is no way we could process the number of samples we process without it.”
“It’s like a double whammy – we are knocking away our backlog more than if we added personnel.”
“It is essential to the job we do.”
“If people sit down and look at their process, they would understand STACS is the way to go to fix their process.”
“STACS removes one giant bottleneck.”
“It does everything I need.”
“STACS interweaves everything together.”
“It’s a solid product.”
“You will see better quality, less risk, you’re going to see more procedures and processes being followed accurately.”
“STACS is also a risk management tool, where we mitigate risk by having everything done through the same system.”
“We’ve caught a lot of corrective actions using STACS that we might not have caught otherwise.”
“STACS has provided us with a solution that integrates and consolidates informatics in a paperless environment, increasing throughput and efficiency.”
“Implementing STACS was a pretty important step in the efficiency of case processing of the DNA section.”
“We knew we had to have a system that would allow us to work internationally; the improved integration would benefit everyone. STACS allows scientists and technologies to be inter-operational with the system.”
“Now with STACS and [robotics], we can spend time screening evidence for the next DNA batch.”
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How much would it cost to increase your lab’s processing capacity? Use our calculator to get a custom report and get started on your business case.
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