OREANDA-NEWS. Forensic scientists whose efficiency is thwarted by decentralized case files and complex analysis now have access to a new platform designed to help them streamline the management of casework data. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Applied Biosystems Converge Software is a one-of-a-kind integrated system designed to centralize all forensic, paternity and kinship data under one powerful solution.

Most laboratories today rely heavily on software systems to manage day-to-day lab operations. Current solutions are highly complex and counterintuitive, however, and scientists must manually calculate kinship or paternity statistics – a time-consuming and error-prone task. “Converge Software helps overcome these hurdles by streamlining and integrating these disjointed tasks while also decreasing the number of manual steps needed to organize and interpret the data,” said Ravi Gupta, director of product management of human identification at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

“I have been waiting a long time for a software solution that integrates data management, analysis and interpretation,” said Bruce Budowle, professor and executive director of the Institute of Applied Genetics at UNT Health Science Center. “Converge Software, the newest tool for forensic genetic analyses, is a boon to our field.”

Converge Software offers a comprehensive, validated platform that is highly customizable to the specific needs of each laboratory. Beyond streamlining and integrating day-to-day operations, Converge Software reduces the number of manual steps involved, enhancing ease-of-use. As an example, users can quickly create a variety of hypotheses using pedigree tree drawing capabilities and set myriad analysis parameters, including mutation models and population substructures. The results are then automatically computed to reduce time and the likelihood of potential error. The platform is also expandable to enable future applications such as next-generation sequencing data analysis.

“We understand that no one lab or case is the same, which is why our new software has been designed to provide our customers maximum flexibility,” said Rosy Lee, vice president and general manager of human identification at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Converge Software is a result of our ongoing commitment to innovation designed to streamline the workflow and increase efficiency in the lab.”

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of $17 billion and more than 50,000 employees in 50 countries. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services – we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive support.