Abstract: Provided herein is a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to crush and close off a fluidic channel in the body. Also provided are a cartridge interface configured to engage the cartridge. Also provided is a system including a cartridge interface and methods of using the cartridge and system.

Abstract: A system for controlling custody of a sample can include a cartridge comprising a sample receptacle configured to receive an article configured to deliver a sample to the cartridge, a cartridge module having a cartridge receptacle configured to receive the cartridge; a housing enclosing the cartridge module and the cartridge. The housing can include a closable door; at least one sensor configured to produce a signal indicating: insertion or removal of an article into or from the sample receptacle; whether the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle; or whether the door is open or closed. The system can further include a computer programmed to record a signal from the at least one sensor for a recording period of time and to display a signal history to a user.

Abstract: A live help provider graphical user interface depicting a provider graphical representation of a client device located at a user location and respective provider graphical representations of additional devices located at the user location in a manner that identifies each of the additional devices and depicts a spatial relationship of each of the additional devices relative to the client device at the user location.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow in a fluid channel of fluidic cartridge can include closing a valve by actuating a mechanical actuator against the valve to force a deformable layer against walls of a valve body, wherein the valve body comprises a valve inlet and a valve outlet and each of the valve inlet and valve outlet are fluidically coupled to a fluidic channel; releasing the valve by retracting the mechanical actuator away from the valve body; and moving liquid through the valve by applying positive or negative pressure to the fluidic channel.

Abstract: A live help system provides an intuitive display of help information on a user's graphical user interface. A request is received from a client device for help, and a live help provider interface is initiated at a live help location. Data is acquired regarding a user's location, including data on external devices in the user's location. Indicators are provided to allow the live help provider to point to or otherwise indicate items on the user interface or outside of the user interface. Live help input is captured at the live help provider interface. Instructions are then transmitted to the display of the client device to display live help input, as though the agent were present and interacting with or indicating items on the screen or off the screen.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an integrated and automated sample-to-answer system that, starting from a sample comprising biological material, generates a genetic profile in less than two hours. In certain embodiments, the biological material is DNA and the genetic profile involves determining alleles at one or a plurality of loci (e.g., genetic loci) of a subject, for example, an STR (short tandem repeat) profile, for example as used in the CODIS system. The system can perform several operations, including (a) extraction and isolation of nucleic acid; (b) amplification of nucleotide sequences at selected loci (e.g., genetic loci); and (c) detection and analysis of amplification product. These operations can be carried out in a system that comprises several integrated modules, including an analyte preparation module; a detection and analysis module and a control module.

Abstract: Methods for analyzing raw electropherogram data are disclosed. Some methods includes extracting color data as a function of time or position from the raw electropherogram data, selecting from the electropherogram one or more peaks that contain color data for a first dye and substantially no color data from other dyes used in electrophoresis. The method also includes determining the color spectrum of the first dye, and using the color spectrum of the first dye to deconvolve the color data of the raw electropherogram data to separate the contributions of each of the dyes to the raw electropherogram data. Systems and apparatus for producing electropherograms are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for performing capillary electrophoresis of multiple samples comprises a capillary containing a separation medium and having inlet and distal ends and an interrogation region; a power source configured to apply voltages between inlet and distal ends; and logic to cause execution of: applying a first substantially constant forward polarity electrophoresis voltage to the capillary; before all of the first DNA fragments have passed the interrogation region, applying a reverse polarity voltage pulse to the capillary, thereby transporting at least some of the first DNA fragments in the capillary toward the capillary inlet; introducing a second sample to the capillary inlet, the second sample comprising second DNA fragments having a plurality of different sizes; and applying a second substantially constant forward polarity electrophoresis voltage to the capillary to simultaneously perform electrophoresis on the second DNA fragments and the first DNA fragments.

Abstract: A method of making an article bonding a layer of deformable material to a surface of a cartridge body having at least one valve body thereon to seal the at least one valve body, the valve body comprising a valve floor and valve walls comprising upper parts, wherein the valve floor is recessed from the surface and the valve walls extend from the surface to the valve floor, and wherein the valve body comprises walls that are curved or sloped in a direction that is non-normal to the plane defined by the surface; and deforming the layer such that upon release of a force causing the deformation, the layer is in contact with the upper parts of the valve walls and is in spaced from the valve floor so as to bias the valve to an open state.

Abstract: A system comprises an authentication sub-system configured to authenticate a user and a biochemical analysis sub-system configured to perform a biochemical analysis on a biological sample provided to the biochemical analysis sub-system. The system is configured to authenticate a user using the authentication sub-system, instruct an authenticated user to provide a biological sample to the biochemical analysis sub-system, execute a biochemical analysis on a provided biological sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for performing capillary electrophoresis on two or more nucleic acid samples. The methods employ a forward voltage to move a first sample forward from an inlet to an interrogation region in the capillary, then a backward voltage to move the first sample backward, and then a forward voltage again to move the first sample and a second sample forward. Systems and apparatuses for performing capillary electrophoresis are also provided.

Abstract: A biometric biochemical analysis system includes a user interface module to provide instructions for collecting and handling biochemical sampling and processing related to biometric data gathering as well as capturing biometric data using digital data capturing devices. The user interface module and display are integrated with analysis and communications portions of the biometric biochemical analysis system to provide a portable system for multi-portion data collecting, storage, verification, and analysis.

Abstract: A live help system provides an intuitive display of help information on a user's graphical user interface. A request is received from a client device for help, and a live help provider interface is initiated at a live help location. Data is acquired regarding a user's location, including data on external devices in the user's location. Indicators are provided to allow the live help provider to point to or otherwise indicate items on the user interface or outside of the user interface. Live help input is captured at the live help provider interface. Instructions are then transmitted to the display of the client device to display live help input, as though the agent were present and interacting with or indicating items on the screen or off the screen.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for review of forensic report computer files. The method can involve notifying a plurality of service providers of a job to be performed, accepting a bid from a service provider to perform the job, providing the computer file to the service provider, receiving from the service provider a forensic result such as a reviewed file.

Abstract: Provided herein are instruments and cartridges for processing samples. The cartridges include fluidic circuits in which fluid movement can be regulated by diaphragm valves. In certain cartridges, deformable material providing a diaphragm contacts an interface in the instrument that actuates the diaphragm directly, without intervening actuation layer. Certain cartridges have a plurality of fluidic circuits and fluid distribution channels or pneumatic distribution channels configured to deliver fluids or pneumatic pressure to any of the fluidic circuits, selectively. Certain cartridges have compartments containing on-board reagents. Compartments can be closed by a film attached to a body the cartridge through a heat seal.

Abstract: Provided herein is a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to crush and close off a fluidic channel in the body. Also provided are a cartridge interface configured to engage the cartridge. Also provided is a system including a cartridge interface and methods of using the cartridge and system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an integrated and automated sample-to-answer system that, starting from a sample comprising biological material, generates a genetic profile in less than two hours. In certain embodiments, the biological material is DNA and the genetic profile involves determining alleles at one or a plurality of loci (e.g., genetic loci) of a subject, for example, an STR (short tandem repeat) profile, for example as used in the CODIS system. The system can perform several operations, including (a) extraction and isolation of nucleic acid; (b) amplification of nucleotide sequences at selected loci (e.g., genetic loci); and (c) detection and analysis of amplification product. These operations can be carried out in a system that comprises several integrated modules, including an analyte preparation module; a detection and analysis module and a control module.

Abstract: A command center includes at least one network communications interface configured for two-way communications with a plurality of sites remote from the command center and at least one display screen and user interface. Each of the plurality of sites includes at least one forensic field test device configured to identify individuals using DNA samples from the individuals. The display screen and user interface are configured to depict aspects of forensic field test devices of the plurality of sites, wherein the aspects include a site identifier for each of the forensic field test devices and one or more additional aspects.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, among other things, a cartridge comprising: (a) a cartridge body comprising a malleable material and having, disposed on a surface of the body, at least one valve body comprising a valve inlet and a valve outlet, each fluidically connected to a fluidic channel; and (b) a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the cartridge body and sealing the at least one valve body at points of attachment, thereby forming at least one valve; wherein the at least one valve body is depressed in the cartridge body relative to the points of attachment and wherein the deformable material covering the at least one valve body retains sufficient elasticity after deformation such that in a ground state the valve is open.

Abstract: A live help system provides an intuitive display of help information on a user's graphical user interface. A request is received from a client device for help, and a live help provider interface is initiated at a live help location. Data is acquired regarding a user's location, including data on external devices in the user's location. Indicators are provided to allow the live help provider to point to or otherwise indicate items on the user interface or outside of the user interface. Live help input is captured at the live help provider interface. Instructions are then transmitted to the display of the client device to display live help input, as though the agent were present and interacting with or indicating items on the screen or off the screen.