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First of two parts/by Steve Kemp, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Richard Pinchiin, iForensic, Forensic Science Service Ltd.
Forensic Science Service Ltd., trading as The Forensic Science Service (FSS), is a UK Government-owned company which provides next generation forensic science to international law enforcement agencies, world judiciary systems and private sector customers.
In a typical year, the FSS handles well over 100,000 criminal cases. This operation involves some 2,600 staff in 14 facilities across the UK. iforensic is the international division of Forensic Science Service Ltd. iforensic has an expanding forensic capability in worldwide markets, with governmental partners in Europe, the US, and around the world.
The forensic science undertaken by the FSS covers a wide range of scientific disciplines. The main function is to provide impartial, scientific evidence for use in court. This is usually as a result of a police enquiry, where scientific evidence is needed to help the police with their investigations. This can include:
- Identification of blood, semen and other body fluids, the blood grouping of dried stains and the use of DNA profiling to compare samples.
- Identification and comparison of textile fibres.
- Identification and comparison of plant and animal materials - including hairs.
- Analysis of blood and urine samples for drugs or alcohol.
- Analysis of body fluids and organs for suspected poisoning.
- Identification of illegal drugs.
- Comparison of materials used to package drugs.
- Examination of paint and glass fragments.
The FSS has driven the evolution of DNA Profiling since its introduction as a forensic technique in 1986. In 1995, the UK National DNA Database (NDNAD), the first of its kind in the world, was established. Sample submissions over the first 12 months of operation very quickly exceeded the estimated annual demand of 135,000 samples, resulting in the development of a backlog in excess of 100,000 samples. It became apparent that, with the increase in demand an improved sample tracking process was required to replace the ‘T’-card system. The “T” –card system provided a central repository for the tracking of samples and batches with scientists writing the pertinent information on the cards. What the ‘T’-card system did not offer was a similar central repository for storage location information of individual samples in freezers. This and many other sources of data began to be stored manually on a variety of bespoke spreadsheets, laboratory notebooks, forms and paperwork associated with the samples.
In 1996, the FSS developed an internal, very basic Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) which was continually developed and upgraded to include wider aspects of the DNA process. The increasing need to track samples and batches, while also producing information on sample turnaround times, numbers of samples processed and success rates, soon became unmanageable on the spreadsheet systems.
Based on these requirements the FSS embarked upon the development of laboratory automation, moving forensic DNA profiling into another new era. The onset of automated DNA laboratory processes required, for the first time in a forensic environment, high throughput use of liquid handling instrumentation, robotic arms and microtitre plates. One of the many challenges that had to be over come, was how to log and store information on samples submitted in a 1.5ml tube format, each individually barcode labeled, into a microtitre plate array where, at that time, each individual well could not be barcoded.
In parallel to the development of the automated processes, the FSS initiated the development of the first forensic DNA LIMS, using a commercially available software package. IT developers worked closely with FSS Research & Development scientists to develop a suite of IT solutions interlinked with the chemistries involved in forensic DNA profiling. Combined, this produced the world’s first DNA profiling line using automated instrumentation, capable of approximately 200,000 forensic reference samples every year.
The UK Government’s DNA expansion programme provided £240million to increase the collection and analysis of DNA material with the emphasis on volume crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime. This increased the demand of DNA profiling and the requirement for a more efficient DNA process.
The FSS has simultaneously embarked on a program to develop expert DNA profile interpretation systems. Over the years that these DNA lines have been operational, the development of the LIMS has been continual. A number of systems have been generated from the core LIMS depending on the changing needs of the operational units and the Police Forces utilising the service. The complexity of systems has increased to a point where a change to the systems has become a full assessment process with impact analysis. The testing and validation of any changes is ranked according to the impact the change is likely to have on the operational output of the DNA processing laboratory. No change is taken lightly; indeed, a dedicated team within the FSS undertakes the development of changes, trouble-shooting of any data issues, validation of changes and the management of implementation to the operational lab following IT industry practices and guidelines for software development.
The FSS is continually improving the service it offers to customers to ensure it can meet the demanding requirements of a rapid and cost effective, value for money service. Over the last few years the FSS has launched many new DNA related services including the Forensic Response Vehicle (FRV) and a very rapid, sub-24hr turn around time DNA processing service, each requiring significant investment and commitment from the FSS. The DNA processing time within the FRV is approximately three times faster than the more routine high priority DNA turnaround times already available in the FSS. This has been made possible due to the development and modification of the DNA process, without compromising the integrity of the evidence or the quality of the resulting DNA profile, using the considerable know-how of the FSS.
The FSS FRV pilot was developed in partnership with police forces in England and Wales through the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). It was recognized by everyone that the fast collection and analysis of evidence had the potential to enable the faster apprehension of offenders and dramatically reduce the chance and amount of re-offending. This in turn would have the potential to: reduce the cost of investigations, increase the likelihood of securing convictions, and bring benefits to the Criminal Justice System as a whole. The FRVs enabled virtually real time DNA analysis at the crime scene and was the first of its kind in the world. Developing the FRVs required significant investment and commitment from the FSS. The mobile, rapid DNA profiling process presented unique developmental challenges to enable processing in the field, requiring significant bespoke development. As with laboratory based DNA processing, samples processed within the FRV were tracked using a LIMS. The FSS chose Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Nautilus LIMS based on its functionality and flexibility coupled with FSS extensions. Fixed batch sizes were replaced with a more flexible series of templates and workflows to accommodate the differing numbers of samples required and demographic information available for each particular case.
Coming in part 2: By 2000, the FSS had encountered a need to develop the automation systems to increase capacity...
About the authors: Mr. Kemp is Channels Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Mr. Pinchin is Head of US Operations, iForensic, Forensic Science Service Ltd.
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