Belize: ICITAP-Supported National Forensic Science Services Launches Laboratory Information Management System

On January 16, the Forensic Science Laboratory of the Belize National Forensic Science Services (BNFSS) launched JusticeTrax, their new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to support digitalization of their operations. A total of nine new LIMS cases were created consisting of 42 pieces of evidence which were all successfully inventoried using LIMS. JusticeTrax is a web-based LIMS that provides workload management and tracks all requests for analysis, analysts and groups assigned, including digital chain of custody and statistical reporting of the laboratory’s caseload. The procurement of the LIMS system was provided by the United Nations Development Programme in 2023, and the implementation of the system was completed in approximately twelve months, about half the time projects of this scale typically require for implementation. Since April of 2023, ICITAP has been supporting the organization with administrative configuration and troubleshooting, stakeholder sensitization, development of work processes, and data integration. ICITAP works in Central America in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).