NCJ Number
191453
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 28 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 38-43
Date Published
August 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article described the innovative laboratory information management system (LIMS) and the reasoning and process undertaken by laboratories in choosing a LIMS.
Abstract
Today the court system, investigators, and a variety of other sources require the ability to quickly obtain and utilize information. By installing a laboratory information management system (LIMS), a process that before took weeks now takes only minutes or seconds. The purpose of a LIMS is to make a laboratory more efficient. This article reviewed the steps in choosing and selecting a LIMS. The first steps discussed included looking at the benefits and defining the need. Once these steps have been completed the following step is the purchasing of a LIMS and deciding whether the purchase will be off-the-shelf or custom. Implementing LIMS allows laboratories to open the door to new technologies. It was clearly stated that a LIMS is a continuously evolving system. The system evolves as the lab evolves. The needs of the lab change from day to day. There are minor improvements, different ways of collecting and reporting data, and meeting accreditation standards.