LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)
Definition
Software used in forensic laboratories to register, track, assign, and document exhibits, analytical results, and chain-of-custody events from the moment an exhibit arrives to the moment the report is issued.
- Function
- Register, track, assign and document exhibits
- Coverage
- Intake through report issuance
- Identifier
- Usually a barcode or unique ID per exhibit
Common questions
At what point does an exhibit typically enter the LIMS?+
At intake, when it is logged, assigned a unique identifier, often a barcode, and its custody transfer from the submitting officer is recorded before any analysis begins.
Can a report be issued without a LIMS record?+
In an accredited lab, no. The report is generated from and cross-checked against the LIMS record, so an exhibit without a logged chain of custody cannot be reported on.
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