Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/342119
14 Law Enforcement Technology July 2014 www.officer.com EVIDENCE & FORENSICS Data error concerns Presently, KCPD's EvidenceOnQ software may show an evidence item is at the lab, yet it cannot show if the item has been put into the LIMS or if the evi- dence has been processed and is ready for pick-up. However, Howard indicates that in July, integration of these two systems should begin. This whole movement concerns Kim Webley, CEO of FileOnQ, Inc., which offers EvidenceOnQ. Webley strongly supports integration of all assets tied to the property room, crime lab and even digital evidence units. "You want to be able to seamlessly transfer metadata about a piece of evidence with 100 per- cent accuracy from the evidence man- agement system to the LIMS," Webley offered. "This is so important because if there is data that is differentiating or has to be hand-keyed into the LIMS from some kind of handwritten property report or evidence submission form, there's a high likelihood of error." Webley raises another concern: without integration, the crime lab could possess a piece of evidence not yet tested, but for which the case tied to it has been adjudicated. Therefore, without knowledge of the adjudication, the lab would probably still test and analyze the evidence item, wasting precious time and resources, and incurring major expense. What's more, Webley said, "This could become a legal problem if the case has been adjudicated and the lab results con- tradict the adjudication (for example, a case being downgraded to a misdemean- or or upgraded to a felony)." One-point access, better workflows Kirk Canty, LIMS Manager for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, sees additional advantages by having auto- mated LIMS and evidence management software integrated. "One big benefit is that the user would only need to access one system," Canty said. "He or she could access the evidence management system and get everything needed without hav- ing to consult the LIMS." Canty also believes that integration not only would allow information sharing for evidence status between the crime lab and evi- dence room, but that workflow for both of these operations would be greatly improved, too. "This is two-way communication," Webley added. In the case of Kansas City Police Department, "The LIMS is track- ing the lab's own process to the comple- tion of evaluating a piece of evidence. When the status of that evidence item changes, the LIMS can deliver this sta- tus to EvidenceOnQ electronically and instantly," Webley added. "So, the single point of access for information can be the evidence management system, which is what the officers go to. This single point can deliver to them the status of where evidence is in real time within the lab." Improved reporting on lab results Another compelling reason for integra- tion of LIMS and evidence management systems at law enforcement agencies is to streamline the flow of case work among the key stakeholders who need to know the status of evidence quickly Circle 58 on Reader Service Card Jennifer Howard, KCPD Crime Lab DNA Technical Leader and LIMS administrator, prepares an extracted DNA sample. LET_10-15_LIMS.indd 14 6/25/14 11:56 AM