SYSlab is a proprietary LIMS developed by Conforval specifically for the operational and quality management requirements of forensic DNA laboratories. Built on direct casework and accreditation experience, SYSlab manages the complete sample lifecycle — from exhibit intake and chain of custody through extraction, quantification, amplification, and result reporting — within a single, audit-ready platform. SYSlab is deployed and operational at a forensic institute client site.
Built for forensic DNA — not adapted from generic LIMS
Generic laboratory information management systems require substantial customisation before they can support the specific workflows, nomenclature, and documentation requirements of a forensic DNA laboratory. That customisation is expensive, time-consuming, and frequently incomplete — leaving laboratories managing the gap between their LIMS and their QMS with spreadsheets, paper records, and manual reconciliation.
SYSlab was designed from the ground up for the forensic DNA context. Every module reflects the actual workflow of a working forensic biology unit, and every data field, status flag, and report output maps directly to the documentation requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and SWGDAM guidelines.
Key capabilities
Exhibit and sample management
Full chain of custody tracking from initial exhibit receipt through all analytical stages to result release and archive. Tamper-evident audit trail on every sample record. Substrate and exhibit type classification aligned to forensic triage logic.
Workflow management
Configurable workflow templates for the complete DNA analytical process: presumptive testing, extraction, quantification, STR amplification, capillary electrophoresis, and profile interpretation. Batch management and instrument run tracking. Analyst assignment and sign-off at each workflow stage.
Results and interpretation records
Structured data entry for quantification outputs, electropherogram review decisions, and profile assignment. Integration-ready interfaces for instrument data export. Mixture flagging and case complexity classification.
QMS documentation integration
SOP version control and controlled document register. Non-conformity and corrective action logging aligned to ISO 17025 Clause 8.7. Competency record management per analyst per method, supporting Clause 6.2 compliance. Internal audit scheduling and findings tracking.
Reporting
Configurable case report templates for internal management, accreditation body submission, and court-ready output. Batch statistics and productivity reporting for laboratory management.
Access control and security
Role-based access control: analyst, reviewer, quality manager, and administrator roles. Full activity logging. Designed for deployment in a secure on-premises or private cloud environment.
How SYSlab is deployed
SYSlab is delivered as part of a structured Conforval consulting engagement. Deployment includes:
- ✓Installation and configuration — SYSlab is installed and configured to reflect the laboratory's specific validated methods, instrument set, and organisational structure. Configuration covers workflow templates, user roles, report formats, and document register population.
- ✓Data migration — Where an existing case management or LIMS system is in use, Conforval assists with the structured migration of historical records and open case data.
- ✓Staff training — All laboratory staff receive role-appropriate training on SYSlab operation. Training is documented and generates competency records compatible with ISO 17025 Clause 6.2.
- ✓Go-live support — A Conforval consultant supports the laboratory through the initial live operational period, resolving configuration issues and ensuring the system is functioning as intended before formal handover.
- ✓Ongoing support — A support retainer provides access to Conforval's technical team for system questions, configuration updates, and software maintenance throughout the contract period.
Designed to support ISO 17025 accreditation
SYSlab was built with accreditation in mind at every level. The audit trail, document control, non-conformity management, and competency record modules directly address the most common documentation findings raised by ISO/IEC 17025 technical assessors in forensic biology laboratories.
Laboratories deploying SYSlab as part of an accreditation preparation programme can combine the implementation with Conforval's Accreditation Readiness Review service to ensure that both the LIMS configuration and the surrounding documentation framework are assessment-ready.