Header
In This Issue
Did You Know?
Events
In the News: North America
In the News: International
Articles of Interest

Quick Links






Website

Follow us on Twitter @stacsdna 

 

About Us
 
STACS DNA delivers the only sample tracking and lab management software designed specifically for forensic DNA labs. Since 2000, we've helped DNA database and casework labs dramatically increase capacity, prevent errors, cut costs, improve data quality and meet accreditation standards, without hiring additional staff. 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 Software" for DNA Labs" ... 
What we do is in our name!

July/August 2016

New "Did You Know...?" column highlights how STACS can help your lab save time and prevent problems

Every month we'll share with you one capability selected from a very long list - and explain how it helps make our customers' lives easier.

Did You Know...?

STACS-DB includes the ability to alert users to conflicting gender information. STACS-DB can flag Amelogenin results for submissions without an assigned gender and flag submissions with inconsistencies between the assigned gender and the obtained Amelogenin results.

Tell me more!
Recently, one of our clients was able to identify a sample switch due to the STACS-DB gender alerts. Wow! Not only does using this functionality help keep offender demographic information accurate but it can improve data quality. Just one more way our application makes your lives easier.
 
For more information about this functionality contact stacsdna@stacsdna.com. 
 
Events
Please join us at:
September 26-29, 2016
Minneapolis, MN



October 31-November 4, 2016
Palm Springs, CA
 
In the News: North America 

Illinois: New laws in IL for assault victims
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed multiple bills to help sexual assault victims.
 
Georgia: GBI confirms ten CODIS matches in warehoused rape kits 
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirms that after testing 200 kits, they have matched 10 of the state's previously untested rape kits to profiles already in CODIS.
 
Idaho: Idaho works hard to whittle down backlog at crime labs
With a recent history of backlogs, delays and high employee turnover rates, the state crime lab in Boise is turning around its checkered history and speeding up processing of forensic evidence for court cases statewide.
 
New Mexico: Police catch up on rape kit backlog in New Mexico
State-wide audit gets backlogs cleared.
 
New Mexico: Gov. Martinez touts cases probed under DNA testing law
Since 2011, authorities have linked 746 New Mexico suspects to 764 other cases, including more than a dozen homicide and 40 sex crime investigations
 
New York: NY lawmakers OK deadlines for rape kit processing
Police must submit rape kits containing DNA evidence to laboratories within 10 days of collecting it under legislation heading to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk
 
Ohio: Over 4,000 DNA matches in tested rape kits
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has announced that DNA testing done as part of his Sexual Assault Testing Initiative has resulted in over 4,000 matches of previous offenders already in the system.
 
Ohio: Cuyahoga County leads the nation in its rape kit response with 500th indicted man
The milestone 500th indicted rape suspect cements Cuyahoga County's place as a national leader in responding to a rape kit backlogs of thousands.

Advocates for sex assault survivors are pushing the City of Austin to make the processing of DNA evidence a priority this budget session.
 
In the News - International
Experts from the Czech Institute of Criminalistics are testing a new method of revealing crime that is based on "non-human genetics" or plant and animal DNA, within a five-year project launched at the beginning of this year.

A U.N. human rights watchdog called on Kuwait on [July 15] to amend a counter-terrorism law requiring nationwide compulsory DNA testing, saying that it was disproportionate and violated the right to privacy.
 
Royal couple bone up on their knowledge of anatomy at centre behind Richard III reconstruction

The DNA database has become one of the world's most comprehensive registries.
 
Articles of Interest

The future of forensic genomics is here. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is "now generation" and is transforming the capabilities of human identification laboratories. 
 
Pitchfork was put away 28 years ago. Back then, there wasn't a single offender DNA database in the world. Now, they are standard in over 50 countries and expanding almost on a daily basis.
 
A new method can quickly but accurately narrow down whether someone is an adult or a juvenile based on fluids left behind.

Criminal justice agencies need to be prepared to follow up on sexual assault cases with a victim-centered approach in order to improve responses to these crimes in their communities, according to research findings from Sam Houston State University.
 
The testing of almost 5,000 backlogged rape kits in Cuyahoga County, Ohio is shedding light on important differences between one-time and serial rapists - and has led to 250 convictions so far.
 
For the past two decades, most of the migrant deaths experienced along the borders have been concentrated in Southern Arizona. Although the trend has begun to shift towards Texas, the Office of the Medical Examiner is ground zero for dealing with these types of cases.

August 10 Twitter event answers people's questions about forensics.