STARLIMS Introduces New Informatics Solutions for Crime Scene and Property Room Management

STARLIMS, a leading global informatics company, has introduced a new information management tool that law enforcement agencies have been waiting for – software modules to enhance the speed, accuracy and comprehensiveness of evidence collection at crime scenes and for tracking and retrieving items stored in police department property rooms.

Police don’t have a second chance to collect evidence at a busy crime scene. On arrival, they must secure the site and begin a meticulous process of inspecting, gathering and recording all available evidence.  With STARLIMS Web-based Crime Scene Module, evidence can be barcoded on the spot and entered into the STARLIMS program on a laptop computer.  This enables investigators to document and track every piece of evidence from the crime scene to the courtroom.  Investigators can generate crime scene reports without re-entering data and eliminate the need for paper log books or complex multiple data management programs.    

“STARLIMS comprehensively documents the scene and all evidence collected and assigns chain of custody for every item,” said David Semyck, senior project manager, STARLIMS at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference.  “Detectives and evidence technicians can record every aspect of the scene – the exact location, who was there, weather, hazards on site, and evidence.”

With STARLIMS, the crime scene process is ‘bag it, tag it and track it.’  Collect and package the evidence, barcode it, and retrieve in the system when necessary using a barcode scanner.  Configurable checklists help investigators remember everything that should be documented.

Semyck said the new crime scene module seamlessly interacts with the core STARLIMS web-based software and has the same barcode and chain of custody features.  STARLIMS Crime Scene module is now available to law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Property Room Module Simplifies Inventory and Retrieval

The STARLIMS property room module assigns barcodes to every collected item and tracks all movement.  This ensures accurate chain of custody documentation.  The software also will help manage and document evidence destruction, auctioning and returns to property owners.

With the new STARLIMS modules, evidence collection and storage is streamlined, time and labor are reduced, and law enforcement professionals will have confidence in the integrity and thoroughness of evidence collection and in their ongoing ability to produce important evidence at trial.

Mobile Apps Coming

At IAPC, STARLIMS previewed its Next Gen designer which will allow users to develop, deploy and maintain HTML5 apps for both iOS and Android platforms.  The Windows 8 / Metro crime scene mobile app was demonstrated at the STARLIMS exhibit.  Also, IAPC attendees were able to download free of charge the STARLIMS Crime Capture evidence documentation app from the Microsoft Windows store.