Enhancing standardisation of forensic laboratory performance through lims technology in the UAE

• Main Author: Almessabi, Ali Mohamed
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General); HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
• Online Access: http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/27724/1/Enhancing%20standardisation%20of%20forensic%20laboratory%20performance%20through%20lims%20technology%20in%20the%20UAE.pdf; http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/27724/2/Enhancing%20standardisation%20of%20forensic%20laboratory%20performance%20through%20lims%20technology%20in%20the%20UAE.pdf; http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/27724/; https://plh.utem.edu.my/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=123581

Technology has gained a reputation as a suitable and efficient tool for the analysis, tracking and profiling of forensic evidence. However, the quest to improve efficiency and quality, whilst reducing cost and minimising response time in forensic laboratory activity through the application of technology, lacks the adoption of standardised metrics. In other words, even though standards have been introduced to guide forensic work, errors persist, and cross-laboratory compatibility remains a major issue. Severe cost overruns and performance deviations continue to be experienced, and these have emphasised the need for technology-aided standardisation in diverse scopes of forensics activity. The present research aimed to assess the role of technology in the standardisation of forensic laboratory performance within the various scopes of forensic laboratory information management systems (LIMS) applications such as case management, sample management, staff competency and process automation. Following a critical review of literature, the research focuses on the population of all forensic specialists, technicians and experts in government-owned forensic laboratories across the UAE. The research adopts a quantitative methodological approach in a survey research strategy; the findings are further validated in a quantitative observational research strategy to validate the degree to which the findings may be further revealed within its natural context. Given a population of 2,000 forensic experts and support workers across the UAE, a minimum sample of 323 is estimated, and an actual sample of 646 is employed to allow a 50% non-response rate. A total of 325 actual responses were received and used for the analysis. The structural equation modelling analytical technique is implemented with the help of IBM SPSS Statistics 24 and IBM SPSS AMOS 23. As part of the survey results, Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (BSEM MCMC) is used to validate the inter-relationships in the primary model to authenticate valid findings. A case of a forensic laboratory in Abu Dhabi was as well observed to further validate the research model. BSEM MCMC validated results indicate that staff competency (Regression weight Estimate β = .814, p-value < 0.001) and automation (Regression weight Estimate β = .252, p-value < 0.001) play a significant role in laboratory performance (Multiple correlations R2 = .81, Chi Square (Sig) x2 = 335.201, Degree of Freedom df = 179). A strong association exists between staff competency and automation (Covariance R = .426), even though this does not generally correspond with the other association between case management and sample management (Covariance R = .374). The quantitative observation revealed that technology-aided standardisation of lab performance significantly improves staff competency, automation, case management, and sample management. It is concluded that standardisation, with the help of technology, is critical for forensic laboratory performance, and this is true for staff competency and automation areas. However, the orchestration of staff competency and automation must be implemented separately from the contribution of case and sample management to forensic laboratory performance. It is recommended that forensic experts and technology developers pay extra attention to laboratory performance standardisation in the areas of case and sample management, using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) in forensic work. The uniqueness of these scopes of forensic activity does not make it easily correspond with staff competency and automation. Ultimately, the areas of sample and case management prove most challenging to laboratory performance standardisation. Future research may adopt an even versatile methodology to help develop and validate measurement scales for forensic case management, sample management, staff competency, and automation.