Overview: MaSTR - Enlightened Probabilistic Mixture Analysis Software
Product informationLicense Options Trial Request Technical Support
Enlightened Probabilistic Mixture Analysis Software
MaSTR™ Enlightened Probabilistic Mixture Analysis Software. MaSTR software features a rapid and transparent approach to Probabilistic Mixture Analysis which utilizes your forensic acumen in an easy-to-use Windows® environment for research, validation and casework applications. Server based MaSTR software is very cost effective, includes two simultaneous user licenses, and automatic queuing of multiple analyses.
Click Figure below for Webinar
Features
Transparency
MaSTR™ software was designed following The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) and Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) probabilistic guidelines and published probabilistic approaches (Taylor, et al. and Bright et al). The analysis code is available, on a confidential basis, with purchase of the software.
SoftGenetics has a long-standing commitment to providing support to laboratories during software evaluation, validation and training to bring our software tools online in the laboratory.
Click here to learn more about our multiple training options.
Flexible Capacity
Unique System Design
MaSTR™ probabilistic genotyping software makes efficient use of the lab computer resources. With Server-client based technology, processing is done on the server and multiple clients can review results and send new jobs (Figure below). Each user sets up and sends analysis jobs from existing Client computers. Expedited cases can be moved to the front of the queue by laboratory management. The High-speed server processes data from the queued jobs submitted by client computers. The design is flexible – labs with a lower caseload may opt to install server/database and client on the same computer. Click here for minimum and recommended computer specifications.
-
The Database
Used to manage the job queue, store analysis results, and store important information (Panels, Models, Protocol Sets, etc). -
The Server
Runs the analysis and communicates with the client to provide results. -
The Client
One or more clients may connect to the server to submit jobs and review results.
The software is structured into three parts, but the database (1) and server (2) are both contained within the Server virtual machine.
High Speed with minimum computer specifications
Table: Provides examples analysis times for simple to complex mixtures; processing two jobs at a time on a server with the minimum specifications. If you would like to learn more about MaSTR software, please watch our recorded webinar.
Capacity
Figure: The capacity of MaSTR software can be increased with your computer hardware. The number of cores increases the capacity, not the speed.
Specifications for Server and Client PC's can be found here.
Technology
MaSTR™ software’s unique, easy-to-use interface enables analysts to create and submit mixture analysis jobs in minutes. The server-client configuration provides flexibility and lowers costs by performing the analyses on a dedicated computer, freeing up the analyst’s time and computer for other tasks.
- Provides a framework for growth:
- MaSTR software easily adapts future chemistries (Figure 1)
- Upgrade statistical approach without changing software version - Utilizes the laboratory’s unique data set to “train” the software (Figure 2)
- After validation, lock in models for casework
Models for the current statistical approach are preloaded in MaSTR software; statistical advances will be included with software updates. Researchers can easily experiment with new model variables and submit to the peer reviewed process for publication and advancement of forensic probabilistic analysis.
Interface
Figure: Simple, drop-down menus enable labs to update panels with new loci, population allele frequencies, and staff profiles to the elimination database.
Protocol Set
Figure: Protocol data sets – replicates of single source dilutions produced following lab SOP enable MaSTR software to calculate:
- Expected peak height variation at different RFU (statistical profile).
- Variation from typical degradation of signal due to lower amount of amplified product in higher mw loci.
- Allelic stutter percentages.
Models
MaSTR software provides flexible technology that allows custom modeling and development.
Figure: The easy-to-use interface provides tools that allow forensic scientists to utilize their expertise without scripting. Researchers can easily experiment with new model variables and submit to the peer reviewed process for publication and advancement of forensic probabilistic analysis. User-friendly interface provides the R&D and Validation teams with the tools to build, test and validate models for their laboratory use. Newly developed models can be shared with other labs to evaluate and advance statistical analysis tools for probabilistic mixture analysis.
Validated
Software validation studies by independent researchers are in progress:
Dr. Michael Adamowicz, Director of the Forensic Science program at the University of Nebraska is performing a full validation of MaSTR™ software. Click here to receive a copy of the validation study upon its completion. Prior to heading up the forensic science program at Lincoln, Dr. Adamowicz was a faculty member and forensic science program coordinator at the University of New Haven, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice & Forensic Sciences. During his tenure at the Connecticut State Forensic Laboratory, he served as a supervisor in the DNA unit and managed both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA casework groups. From 2007 – 2009 Dr. Adamowicz was a member of the SWGDAM Mixture Committee developing / writing mixture analysis guidelines.
The forensic community will have access to the validation study upon submission for peer reviewed publication. SoftGenetics will provide the validation data files to laboratories that wish to use it in their initial evaluation of a MaSTR software trial.
Additional independent evaluations:
Dr. Mitchell Holland, Associate Professor, The Pennsylvania State University. Prior to assisting in the development of the Forensic Science Program at Penn State in 2005, Dr. Holland was the Director of both AFDIL (1993-2000) and the Bode Technology Group (2000-2005). He currently serves as the Laboratory Director of Mityptyping Technologies, LLC, a SoftGenetics company. In addition, he has held positions on governmental and company advisory boards (e.g., DMORT and Identigene, Inc), and has been recognized by leading organizations for his work (e.g., the FBI Laboratory and the NY City OCME), including an honorary doctorate from the University of Split in Croatia. Dr. Holland’s research team will carry out a controlled study to model environmental degradation by producing mixed samples with known amounts of degradation through the shearing of DNA to known size ranges. This controlled approach will allow us to ask questions such as what effect would combining two sources of DNA, one pristine and one degraded, have on the interpretation of the mixture profile through MaSTR.
Professor Kelly Knight, Assistant Professor, Forensic Science Program College of Science, STEM Outreach Coordinator George Mason University is heading up a research team to evaluate MaSTR software’s precision, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity when evaluating mixed sample DNA profiles. The study will be conducted using the public PROVEDIt databasefrom the laboratory for forensic technology development and integration (LFTDI)1 following the corresponding sections of the 2016 NIST draft on guidelines for validating probabilistic genotyping software.
1Alfonse et al., “A Large-Scale Dataset of Single and Mixed-Source Short Tandem Repeat Profiles to Inform Human Identification Strategies.”
Low Acquisition Cost
Single server-based program has an extraordinary capacity to meet most forensic laboratory needs. Low cost, additional client users allows each analyst station to have access to MaSTR™. The initial license includes 2 concurrent users, additional low cost licenses are available on request. (Request Quote)
Training & Support
MaSTR™ software support is provided by SoftGenetics’ team and industry experts:
- Forensic Scientists
- Molecular Biologists
- Mathematicians
- Bioinformaticians
- Programmers
We have a long-standing commitment to providing support to laboratories during software evaluation, validation and training to bring our software tools online in the laboratory.
Training Options include:
- Immediate online assistance for individuals or groups via web meeting
- Training for small groups at our State College PA facility (cost dependent on number of participants)
- On-site training (cost dependent on number of participants and location)
Workshops
- 4-day MaSTR software workshops (contact us for cost, date(s) and locations, State
College, Pittsburgh PA, Lincoln NE) info@bioke.com
Admin Tools
Modes of Operation
MaSTR™ requires the user to log in order to access the software functions. This requirement allows the laboratory to password protect their individual models and mixture analysis results.
Admin
• Administrative tools– no data analysis
• Assigning user name/password to individuals to log in to the software
• Providing users with the appropriate access rights and user group access
Demo/Training
• Guided walk through of the software with pop-up boxes describing each step of setting up an analysis to reviewing results and saving reports (Figure 1)
• No password required, open access to learn MaSTR software
Research/Validation
• Tools for validation teams to establish laboratory SOPs for casework and R&D scientists to apply their forensic expertise to advance models for complex mixture data analysis (Figure 2)
Casework
• Models locked in by Admin after validation
• Password protected
• User group access rights
• Flexible Reporting
• Audit Trail
|
|
Figure: Select the appropriate Mode to log into MaSTR software with user name and password.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The linked documentation provides step-by- step instructions to submit jobs using preloaded settings and models. The instructions include details to assist R&D and validation teams to import baseline and system profiles/dilutions to establish the instrument and chemistry specific settings for their data analyses. An example page of the internal documentation in MaSTR software:
Audit Trail
The complete Audit Trail includes login of user, time/date of and name of job(s) submitted.
Flexible Reporting
MaSTR software allows the analyst to save all of the tables and graphs generated or save only certain items. The reports currently save in PDF format. Simply select the desired reports and click Download.
Technical Support
Trial, Quote or Webinar Request Form
The supporting documents available for this product can be downloaded below.