Evidence Intake
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
The laboratory’s evidence intake section is responsible for the receipt, storage, and return of all evidence submitted. Cumberland County municipal police departments, state agencies and federal agencies that submit to the lab can schedule appointments to drop off and pick up evidence that requires forensic analysis. The lab can provide recommendations and assistance on the proper packaging of evidence and also can provide specialty packaging supplies as needed. Chain of custody for all evidence submitted is tracked using a laboratory information management system (LIMS).
BEAST (Barcoded Evidence Analysis Statistics and Tracking)
The BEAST is a forensic laboratory-specific LIMS and is utilized by the Cumberland County DA’s Office Forensic Lab. Upon receipt, evidence is assigned a unique case identification number. The evidence is also barcoded to easily maintain an electronic chain of custody. Laboratory analysts use the BEAST to generate lab reports, and the BEAST electronically distributes those reports to the submitting agencies.