A sample Tracking System to Automate and Increase

Workflow in a Forensic DNA Lab

Dustin Foley, MS

AFDAA 2012 Winter Meeting

• Goals

– To create a system that tracks the processing steps of a sample

– To fully use the capabilities of our instruments

– To have a continuous workflow and eventually have it all in one system and to go paperless.

– Increase efficiency in laboratory

– Decrease processing error

• Process Efficiency

– Reduce having to retype case # and sample #

– Reduce manual verifications of paperwork

– Reduce time in manually preparing import sheets for the robots

• Reduce/ Eliminate Processing Error

– Eliminates analyst from manually typing and writing samples incorrectly

– Eliminates sample switches

– Prevents evidence from being processed incorrectly in a batch system

Serology to Report Writing

• Brief overview of the process – Barcode system/Excel Workbooks

• Serology

• Extraction

• Quantification

• Amplification

• Electrophoresis

– SQL Database • Report Writing

• QC Database entry

• CODIS upload

Starts in Serology

Barcode System

Serology (Sample Entry)

Sample Verification

Barcodes vs. Manual

Extraction

Extraction Verification

Extraction Verification

Manual Extraction Log

Barcode Extraction Log

Extraction Robot

Barcode Extraction Robot

End Extraction 96 Well Plate

Quant/AMP/Run Excel Workbook

Quant/Amp Robot

Amplification Plate Setup

Amplification Tubes on Robot

Robot Scan Tubes

Real Time PCR

Separation Instrument

Report Writing/ SQL Database

Run Information in Database

Profile Selection for Report

Final Allele Table Report/ CODIS

QC Database

CODIS Upload

Overview

• Reduces/Eliminates Error

– Sample #

• Is only entered once and is used from serology to report writing.

– Instruments

• No errors in typing samples into runs on instruments

• No errors in sample switching or processing known and reference samples simultaneously

• No error in analysts mistyping profiles into case files or into CODIS

Overview

• Increase Efficiency

– Except for initial verification entering sample name in serology, all other verifications are done in barcode system

– Barcode system/SQL Database/ Excel Templates are now all linked together

• This allows all instruments to flow in a seamless process through exporting and importing files

• Reduces manual typing of information

This is only the beginning

• Future Goals

– Writing reports in the SQL Database

– Adding serological testing

– Convert all excel workbooks into the SQL Database to further seamless process

– Going paperless

Take Home Message

• Barcode system

– Bought or Created

• Excel workbooks

– Created

• SQL Database

Acknowledgements

• Harris County

• Dr. Roger Kahn, F-ABC

• Cindi Hricko, MS

• Michael Donley, MS, F-ABC