SampleCheck, a laboratory information management system for quality assurance of DNA-profile analysis in parentage and forensic testing

Abstract: To increase the validity of laboratory results SampleCheck performs plausibility checks on DNA profiles. The platform independent programme interacts with a database storing DNA profiles and further information. The main function of SampleCheck is to perform plausibility checks on DNA profiles to detect pipetting errors, contaminations with other DNA and if samples during collection or pipetting may have been interchanged. Checks can be performed batchwise and/or against the whole database. Every sample is monitored for correct gender by comparing expected and measured gender. At the same time a comparison of the measured profiles and the profiles of coworkers and positive controls takes place. Additionally, a single sample or the samples of a whole batch can be checked for identical profiles and profiles sharing a common allele on each marker like in father–child and mother–child relations. Allele frequency tables for different populations, mutation rates, coworkers and positive control profiles can be stored. SampleCheck enables the user to import this information from different file formats to the database. LR-values can be calculated using three different methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]