FORENSIC LABORATORIES

Manage and control sample collection,

delivery & provenance

VISIBLE CONTROL OF HOW SAMPLES ARE COLLECTED, HANDLED & MANAGED

Management of the collection of forensic samples can be one of the most challenging of all outside laboratory collection scenarios.  Collections may take place in a wide variety of locations and environments, challenging the control of how samples are collected, identified and managed.

As a fully mobile app suite, specifically designed to control and manage the collection, handling and transportation of samples, PAMS delivers a new paradigm for managing forensic pre-analytics.

PAMS offers a new approach that maintains the connection between the laboratory and field collections to bring visibility and control of the processes outside of the lab.  PAMS bring consistency and control to the procedures for sample collection and identification, with full forensic chain of custody (CoC) to protect the providence of each sample collected.

KNOWING AND PROVING ARE DIFFERENT THINGS

Collecting, handling and managing samples correctly is the mantra of PAMS, but knowing that the integrity of each sample collected is maintained is just the starting point – PAMS maintains the control and records that give you the evidence of the providence of each sample.  The integrated Audit Trail maintains a complete record of every event and action in the lifecycle of every sample managed through PAMS.  You control from the lab, the audit and compliance records to be maintained, and you can be assured that every sample will be managed to your specification.

FORENSIC CHAIN OF CUSTODY

PAMS integrates Chain of Custody (CoC) management into the handling of each sample collected.  PAMS allows you to easily configure the rules and procedures that are required to manage the handling and transport of each sample.  PAMS gives you a complete evidentiary trail of

  • Who handled each sample
  • What procedures were performed on each sample
  • When the sample was collected and/or transferred to another party
  • Where the sample was collected and stored
  • How the sample was collected and stored
  • Why the sample was collected and for what purpose

ERROR FREE SAMPLE COLLECTION

PAMS implements best practice standards in combination with the rules and procedures that you define to deliver confidence that each sample collected meets your defined collection standards.  Based on a mobile platform, PAMS is able to manage collections as they occur – in the field or anywhere required.  PAMS ensures that every user has full knowledge of the sample collection rules and procedures that you define, guiding them through each step in the collection process, and ensuring that compliance requirements are observed and that all necessary records are created and maintained.

And while samples may be collected correctly, poor handling and transportation practices such as temperature variance, vibration, viscosity and other issues can render a perfectly collected sample into forensic garbage.  Through sample handling rules, PAMS ensures that each sample is correctly conditioned and transported.

Through the audit trail you have full visibility of the chronology of every action that takes place in the collection of each sample.

POSITIVE SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION

Ensuring that samples are fully and properly identified as they are collected is key to establishing forensic identification. PAMS integrates positive sample identification into the sample collection process.  Sample identification requirements that you define ensure that each sample is positively identified with all information required by your identification standards.  PAMS supports mobile point of collection devices to enable samples to be identified immediately they are collected.

SAMPLE TRACKING & TRACEABILITY

Knowing where each sample is at any given time is key to managing with certainty that proper evidentiary standards are maintained and that testing occurs within procedural guidelines.  PAMS allows you to track the journey of each sample throughout its lifetime.  Working in conjunction with Chain of Custody (CoC) rules, PAMS maintains immediacy of tracking and full trackability of each stage of the sample journey.  Through active alerts and notifications, PAMS enables you to be notified of processing or handling exceptions, so that you can proactively manage the care of each sample.

TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

Ensuring that each person involved to the collection, handling and processing of samples is properly trained in all aspects of the forensic link is a vital part of establishing highest quality forensics.  PAMS integrates the delivery of training so that each person involved in the forensic process is properly trained and conversant with the requirements and procedures at every link in the forensic chain.  The PAMS Training Centre allows you to build and deliver self-paced multimedia training programs to every person involved in the forensic process regardless of where they are located.

Accessible from their mobile device or via the Web, they can be delivered scheduled training programs any time and place required.  The PAMS Training Centre allows you to design and manage delivery your training programs. For each participant you can monitor their progress and assess attained competencies.

PAMS maintains the training and assessment records that are required for quality assurance and regulatory compliance. The PAMS Training Centre is an integrated part of the PAMS suite.  Competency requirements for forensic procedures work cooperatively with competency assessment within the Training Centre to ensure that each of participant has the required competency certification.

INTEGRATED INSTANT COMMUNICATIONS

The wide variety of collection scenarios presented for forensic investigation can challenge even the most well defined and practiced collection procedures. Where uncertainties and questions arise, the ability to instantly communicate with lab or authoritative personnel can remove the risk of procedural contamination or forensic failure.

Through instant communications, PAMS makes available, authorities from any location, allowing field personnel to directly contact and receive advice or instruction that removes uncertainty and risk.   PAMS integrates communications within each activity to show the presence and availability of relevant authoritative personnel. Each communication event is logged and maintained as an auditable record within PAMS.