Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Police Crime Lab is in need of DNA interpretation software to process DNA samples with multiple sources more efficiently and effectively. This software will be replacing the Pop Stats software currently used by the Crime Lab. Crime Lab personnel completed an intensive week-long evaluation process where four probabilistic genotyping software programs were demonstrated. It was determined that the best type of software for the Crime Lab is the continuous model of probabilistic genotyping. This software gives statistical weight to an inclusion of an individual’s DNA. This software keeps the Crime Lab current with advances in DNA interpretation, thereby producing faster and more accurate data. This type of data is required by the accreditation agencies and the FBI.
There are two software programs that have this continuous method software; however, there is only one that will work with the current Crime Lab system. The two software programs are True Allele and STRmix. True Allele requires expensive servers and is Mac-based, neither of which the DNA section of the Crime Lab has in-house. This would require a further investment and training. STRmix will run on the current PCs and will not need additional servers. Furthermore, True Allele can process only ten two or three person mixtures a day, whereas STRmix can process a two person mixture in five minutes and a three person mixture in twenty minutes allowing the Crime Lab to process more multiple source DNA samples per day.
BID INFORMATION: Crime Lab personnel did extensive research and attended a week long intensive evaluation of all the possible software programs. An informal bid process was conducted by the Crime Lab who requested a quote from the only vendor who had the software that would work with the Crime Lab’s current system and put out the necessary work product in a faster more accurate manner. The quote received by the Crime Lab was from NicheVision F...
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