A Landscape Study of Laboratory Information Management Systems for Forensic Crime Laboratories

• NCJ Number: 255145
• Date Published: August 2020
• Length: 44 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2016-MU-BX-K110
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Reference Material; Instructional Material (Programmed)

Annotation

This "landscape" study of available laboratory information management systems (LIMSs) and their adoption is a comprehensive overview of market participants and their products, including insight on features to inform purchasing decisions and future adoption.

Abstract

This report also includes a comprehensive review of the benefits of having a LIMS, the range of solutions available, and guidelines for effective LIMS implementation. The report was developed by the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ)'s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) in consultation with a variety of forensic crime laboratory personnel, including crime laboratory directors, unit chiefs, LIMS administrators, information technology professionals, and analysts. This study is intended for use by crime laboratory directors, crime laboratory personnel, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and other stakeholders, as well as end users of crime laboratory information. This report provides the following: 1) background information on LIMS and their integration into crime laboratory work; 2) the product landscape of select commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) LIMS products; 3) considerations for implementing or updating internally developed and COTS LIMS; 4) use profiles from and users illustrating best practices and lessons learned from incorporating a LIMS into the laboratory workflow; and 5) LIMS features that facilitate systems-based communications between crime laboratories and their stakeholders, such as the tracking status of criminal cases and the associated lab work. 7 figures and 6 tables