STACS DNA provides sample traceability solutions for forensics and healthcare that help laboratories, agencies and hospitals meet performance, transparency and regulatory objectives. We chat together Field application specialists Dr. Hayes Young And Malena Jimenez To learn more about the benefits STACS DNA And why every forensic DNA lab should consider their own solutions.
STACS DNA offers software specifically targeted for forensic DNA laboratories. Some of the challenges facing crime labs that STACS Can remove or reduce?
Forensic DNA analysts often spend more time on routine tasks and documentation than on DNA processing. STACS Eliminates a lot of manual documentation with a convenient barcode system that tracks users, samples, batches, consumables and tools to create an audit trail. This means that analysts can streamline their laboratory processing workflow, allowing them to be more productive.
What makes STACS DNA unique from its competitors?
Two key things make STACS DNA unique. First, we have been working with forensic DNA laboratories for 20 years and our products demonstrate a deep understanding of the DNA testing process. We stay on the leading edge of DNA developments and work with customers on NGS solutions. Second, is our customer service philosophy. We don’t sell software and say “good luck”. Our solutions are mature, fully customizable and supported by a suite of services. We have completed over 100 customization projects and have a proven process. We work closely with our clients to deliver exactly what they need through customization, project management, training and ongoing support. We work closely with them to make change management easier.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your work and has it changed the company’s focus?
Because most of our customers are forensic and public health laboratories, they are considered essential services and have continued to operate throughout the pandemic – and so have we. Our solutions have been critical as they help analysts and lab supervisors work from home and continue to process cases and be efficient even when they can’t be in the lab.
Hayes, could you please tell us a little more about your role as a field applications specialist with STACS DNA?
HY: I work closely with our current and prospective forensic DNA lab customers to understand their workflows, pain points, and how to customize our solutions to meet their needs. This includes running demonstrations for user groups, performing gap analysis, writing performance specifications that meet the needs of a specific lab, and providing end-user training to ensure successful implementation.
How will your previous experience with the Arkansas State Crime Lab benefit you in your current role?
HY: I was the DNA technical lead for the case and database divisions at the Arkansas State Crime Lab for almost nine years. This position gave me the unique opportunity to understand the banking and case lab work flow as well as diagnose, research and provide solutions to a variety of issues experienced by both departments. This knowledge is essential to being able to translate the needs of a lab to our developers so that they can produce code that STACS It works as the lab expects. Having real lab experience helps me understand customer needs and ensure those needs are met. I believe STACS DNA’s decision to include former scientists on the forensics team is one of the reasons for the company’s success.
Malena, before joining STACS DNA you were a criminalist with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab Division. What happened STACS Is the software useful for you in your previous role?
MJ: Before the performance STACS itemConsumables were tracked using manual log entry, tool maintenance was recorded via manual log entry, and processing information was recorded via manual log entry. The time for conducting technical and administrative review after implementation was reduced by half STACS item Because validation was no longer needed – quality control consumables had been tested and had not expired, instruments had undergone proper maintenance, and processing had been properly documented. All these tasks were performed through the software and did not require the analyst’s time. STACS item It allowed the analyst to focus on interpreting the profile, as it eliminated the mundane task of reviewing logbooks and worksheets.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has several DNA labs throughout the state. in process STACS item It had a positive effect on the flow of information between sites. Administrators can view the number of files across sites and change items if needed. Analysts split the review between sites, which prevented SOP displacement and increased knowledge transfer across the system. This flow of information helped maintain consistency in processing and reporting.
It also became much easier to provide information to external agencies and participate in internal or external audits. Little or no paperwork was needed. All information can be made available electronically and sent to the audit team prior to on-site assessment. During the audits, the conference room was no longer filled with binders. Instead, it was one or two analysts who showed the auditors how to extract information from it STACS item or preparing reports required for discovery requests, all processing information was automatically compressed into a zip file, including CVs and SOPs. This data transfer also includes internal management statistics. STACS item The system is overloaded with statistical reports, but the dynamic query builder allows the lab to further extract data as needed to provide information quickly and efficiently.
STACS DNA also offers a tracking solution called Track-Kit. In simple words, how does it happen? Track-Kit Work?
Track-Kit A web-based system to track kits or samples as they move from one facility to another to avoid delays and increase accountability. It can track any type of sample. It is used to track rape kits in many states and offers unique portals for every type of user, including survivor, medical facility, lab, and law enforcement. Each user can track the kit through the testing process and receive notifications if they miss a deadline. Above all, Track-Kit Empowers survivors previously kept in the dark of their kit status.
One of the features Track-Kit For rape kits, survivors can also track the status and location of their kit. How are survivor privacy concerns addressed or covered?
We worked with survivor support organizations to help guide our approach and ensure that anonymity and safety are top priorities for survivors who access it. Track-Kit. After completing an examination at a medical facility, a rape nurse examiner gives survivors a unique access code that does not contain any personally identifying details. The survivor portal is unbranded to be discreet and can be exited quickly if needed. The system does not store any login information. The portal also includes local resources on rape that can be provided in the user’s language.
Finally, which trends and technologies do you expect to see the most in the coming years?
There are some notable trends and technologies on the horizon. I think we will move towards trying to determine more and more information from minute amounts of DNA. Massively parallel sequencing will continue to improve and decrease in price, allowing it to become more widely used. The forensic DNA community will also have a strong focus on mixture interpretation and how to reduce bias or error.
