The DNAxs software suite. A three-year retrospective study on the development, architecture, testing and implementation in forensic casework.
The DNA eXpert System, DNAxs, aids in the data management and efficient, with low risk for error, interpretation and comparison of DNA profiling data. This study describes how the expert system was realized and how it evolved during the first three years after the initial implementation.
Insight is given in the software architecture, its modular design enabling to communicate with various software systems and how this system was implemented in a casework setting. The importance of quality aspects are highlighted, such as (automated) software testing at various levels. The code coverage is presented as well as the numbers of software bugs that were discovered. The usefulness of the overall software suite and automated steps in DNA profile interpretation were evaluated based on its usage in forensic DNA at the developing laboratory. Because of automated profile comparisons, cases with larger numbers of profiles can be handled, are less prone to error and are extremely less time consuming.
The implementation of DNAStatistX into DNAxs enabled a more efficient workflow. Extensive automated software tests and an audit trail serve as quality aspects for the usage of DNAxs. In times of the pandemic this software was found even more valuable than ever thought as it enabled working from home and it proved robust when used with many simultaneous users. The DNAxs software is regarded future proof and many new features and applications are envisioned.
Further information: Publications DNAxs