Improving Forensic Laboratory Tracking with HealthRFID and Forensic Advantage

Forensic laboratories and medical examiner offices manage evidence and decedents within environments that demand accuracy, accountability, and efficiency at every step. Misplaced evidence or an improperly tracked decedent (and decedent specimens) can compromise investigations, autopsy results, delay casework, and possibly impact public trust. To address these challenges, Forensic Advantage Systems (FAS) can be configured to improve inventory management, decedent management, and decedent sample management with HealthRFID, a provider of advanced tracking solutions purpose-built for forensic settings.

HealthRFID’s technology with Forensic Advantage software combines real-time tracking of inventory and return of evidence to law enforcement agencies. This integration offers laboratories and medical examiner offices a stronger foundation for operational control, accreditation compliance, and long-term efficiency.

Real-Time Forensic Lab Tracking within a Secure System

HealthRFID utilizes radio-frequency identification (RFID) and relevant technologies to automate the capture of location data for both evidence and decedents. Instead of relying solely on manual logs or periodic manual inventory reconciliation, staff gain near real-time visibility into the precise location of each item of inventory, decedents, and decedent samples. This capability minimizes the possibility of misplaced evidence or decedent specimen samples and prevents delays associated with reconciliation of storage locations and evidence return. The result is a more secure environment in which accountability is reinforced at every stage of the workflow.

Bulk Inventory and Evidence Reconciliation

Laboratories are often tasked with conducting large-scale audits of stored evidence/samples. Traditional methods require significant time and manual effort, often pulling staff away from casework. HealthRFID’s RFID inventory solution, when integrated with Forensic Advantage, enables rapid scanning and reconciliation of evidence/sample locations.

By automating these checks, laboratories can confirm the presence and location of evidence with far greater speed. Misplaced items are flagged immediately, allowing corrective action before a problem escalates. In addition, automated reconciliation records become part of the laboratory’s quality system, supporting accreditation requirements for inventory control.

Securing Return of Items

Maintaining the chain of custody requires that every movement of evidence be authorized and documented. HealthRFID’s Gates solution monitors tagged items as they pass into or out of restricted areas. If an item is transferred without proper authorization, the system triggers both audio and visual alerts. This integration not only improves security but also provides laboratories with a documented record that can withstand external review or courtroom examination.

Decedent Management in the Morgue

Medical examiner offices must ensure that decedents are correctly identified, securely stored, and appropriately released. HealthRFID’s BodyTracking platform tracks movements throughout the morgue and provides immediate visibility into storage locations.

By integrating this system with Forensic Advantage, offices can link tracking data to case records, ensuring that each decedent is connected with the correct records and documentation. Unauthorized releases are prevented, storage bottlenecks are highlighted, and the overall flow of work becomes more efficient. This level of transparency strengthens public trust while reducing the risk of procedural errors.

Supporting Accreditation and Quality Management

Accreditation standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17020 require laboratories and medical examiner offices to maintain strict controls over evidence and decedent handling. By uniting Forensic Advantage with HealthRFID, organizations can demonstrate compliance in a clear and verifiable manner.

With Forensic Advantage, every movement, reconciliation, and authorization is recorded, creating a defensible audit trail. During accreditation assessments, these records can be presented as objective evidence of adherence to quality management systems. The integration, therefore, supports not only daily operations but also the long-term goal of maintaining accredited status.

Conclusion

The integration of HealthRFID with Forensic Advantage systems strengthens the capacity of forensic laboratories and medical examiner offices to manage evidence and decedents securely, efficiently, and in compliance with accreditation standards. By automating forensic lab tracking and linking it to case management records, this partnership reduces administrative burdens, safeguards credibility, and allows professionals to devote more attention to their scientific and investigative responsibilities.

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HealthRFID will be present at the 2025 Forensic Advantage User Conference, where attendees can see firsthand how these systems work together. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing forensic science through practical, reliable innovation.