Header - March 2014
In This Issue
What's New?
Did You Know?
Events
In the News: North America
In the News: International
Articles of Interest


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About Us
 
STaCS DNA delivers the only sample management software designed specifically for forensic DNA labs. Since 2000, we've helped DNA database and casework labs accelerate throughput, prevent errors, cut costs, improve data quality and meet accreditation standards. The FBI, RCMP, U.S. Army and DNA labs of all sizes rely on STaCS DNA.
 
Why are we called STaCS DNA? "Sample Tracking and Control Systems" for DNA - What we do is in our name!
 

MSHP DNA Lab Increases Output by 30% Despite Staff Shortage

Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) DNA casework lab reports it is processing 30% more cases, despite a shortage of almost half of their criminalists, by implementing STaCS-CW Enterprise™. MSHP has also experienced: 

  • 57% faster peer reviews
  • Improved documentation quality, detail and standardization
  • Reduced risks from capturing and documenting corrective actions
  • Better adherence to procedures
  • Reduced travel to access remote lab reports
  • Smoother audits due to easy access to data
  • Eliminated log books

According to the Laboratory Manager and DNA Technical Leader, the team is now able to do more with less. They have fewer criminalists working cases, but they are able to put more samples through. That is directly attributable to STaCS-CW.

To learn more, read the MSHP case study

  

What's New?

Lab Essentials Thumbnail

Check out the new video Maximizing Productivity in DNA Labs: Sample Processing. It focuses on sample processing at the bench, which covers DNA-specific workflows, preventative process controls, and quality assurance/quality controls, all to help you manage your lab's day-to-day work, save time and effort, follow procedures, prevent errors and comply with accreditation standards.

 

This video is the third in our "Maximizing Productivity in DNA Labs" series of five videos. Other videos are also available on that page. We post new videos regularly.

  

Did You Know?

STaCS� Works With All Leading Forensic LIMS!

Does your agency use a LIMS to track evidence? Do you use Porter Lee's The BEAST, Forensic Advantage� Crime Lab Edition or JusticeTrax� LIMS-plus�? 

Your LIMS is designed to track cases and evidence. It is not designed to meet the constantly-evolving demands of a DNA lab. But you don't need to replace it to benefit from the best DNA sample processing software on the market. STaCS-CW supplements and interfaces with all these LIMS to give you the specific DNA functionality that lab-wide LIMS vendors struggle with.

 

Like an example? How about the Federal Bureau of Investigation? The FBI uses STaCS-CW Enterprise,which interfaces with Forensic Advantage� Crime Lab Edition, in their Nuclear DNA (nDNAU) and Mitochondrial DNA Units (mtDNAU).

 

How do we do this? We've worked directly with forensic LIMS vendors to determine the best way for each LIMS - either via a Web Service, File Transfer Service, SQL Service or RPC Service. STaCS DNA is expert at ensuring software seamlessly talks to each other, to save you time through automated worklists, eliminating double data entry, reducing data input errors, and more.

 

If you'd like to see a demo or request a customer reference, contact us.

  

Events

Come see us at:

CACLD Header

California Association of Crime Laboratory Directors (CACLD)

April 2-4, 2014

Orange County, CA  

 

 

MAFS 2014

April 9-10, 2014 
Columbia, MO

  

2014AAFSEvent Review (Forensic Magazine):     
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
   
February 17-22, 2014  
Seattle, WA
 

In the News: North America 

On March 5, Vice President Joe Biden promoted President Obama's request for $35 million to help test more rape kits, saying it will help fight crime. 


For the first time ever, a "portable DNA lab in a box" will be used in an attempt to convict a man suspected of stealing from a service member.

 

Oklahoma House rejects bill to expand forensic DNA database

A plan to require people facing trial for certain crimes to submit DNA samples to law enforcement has been rejected by the Oklahoma House.

  

Utah lawmakers pass bill allowing DNA sampling upon felony bookings  

State lawmakers have approved a law that would allow police in Utah to collect DNA samples from people booked into jail on any felony charge. 

  

Wisconsin Senate quickly makes unexpected changes to DNA-collection law

In a surprise move, state senators with little debate on Tuesday voted to change a law they passed last year that requires police to collect DNA when they arrest suspects for felonies.

 

Lawmakers discuss how to deal with Utah's backlog of rape kits 

94 percent of reported adult sexual assaults in Salt Lake County were not prosecuted. The shocking statistic prompted lawmakers to dig into the logistics of how rape kits are often left on law-enforcement shelves, and they soon learned that the problem is not limited to Salt Lake County.

  

States fight rape kit backlog

States across the country are proposing and enacting legislation to tackle the estimated 400,000 untested rape kits nationwide.

 

Wayne Co. prosecutor details struggle to process rape kits

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy detailed for city officials on March 4 her ongoing effort to process more than 10,000 untested rape kits and discussed the challenges of running a "severely" underfunded and understaffed office.

 

Missouri senator proposes DNA samples for felony arrests

Under Senate Bill 879 proposed by Sen. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, anyone 17 years or older arrested for a felony offense would have to provide a DNA sample upon booking into a county jail or detention facility.

 

Wyoming Senate defeats "Katie's Law," DNA test bill

The Wyoming Senate has shot down a bill that would have required DNA testing of people charged with a felony.

 

In the News: International

Sindh to declare DNA findings as primary evidence in rape cases  A first in Pakistan, Sindh province tables a law to make DNA testing accepted as primary evidence, the testing of rape survivors mandatory and punishment for tampering with samples.

 

South Africa to fight crime with new DNA law

In South Africa, which struggles with high rates of rape and murder, a new law will expand a state DNA database used to fight crime by compelling police to take samples from convicted offenders as well as suspects in crimes ranging from homicide to theft, a major undertaking that will test the nation's troubled police force.

 

The Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013 was the focus of the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality when it met with Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter TD on March 12.

 

Defence attacks credibility of DNA processed in Bosnia lab

A murder trial in Johannesburg presents evidence about the inner workings of a DNA laboratory in Bosnia in a battle over a chain-of-evidence.

 

Articles of Interest

Lab Manager Magazine

As the University of California, San Francisco confronts a continued changing landscape, the UCSF community will likely face cultural and organizational changes that are necessary to support effective, nimble decisions that align strategy with spending priorities.

 

Political Science, Part I Lab Manager Magazine

Organizational politics involves trades, exchanges of favors, relationships, reprisals, obstructionism and coalition-building. This sometimes goes beyond the normal process of getting the job done and the normal interchanges with peers and colleagues.

 

Political Science, Part IILab Manager Magazine
Part one of this article ends with a discussion of politics in your department. Conside the questions and the implications of the answers. Then read the second part, which gives you the keys to gaining and keeping political power.

 

Ten Steps to Long Term Conflict Management

Forensic Magazine and Linked2Leadership

You are infuriated! The situation is out of control and you just don't have time to deal with it right now. So what do you do?