IT Briefacse Exclusive Interview: The Many Benefits of Sophisticated Forensic Software

Veteran technology leader Martin Riegel recently was named Chief Executive Officer of STRmix Ltd., the newly formed subsidiary of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). IT Briefcase had an opportunity to talk to Riegel about his background in technology and his plans for STRmix Ltd., which was founded to better serve customers of STRmix – the sophisticated forensic software used to resolve mixed DNA profiles previously thought to be too complex to interpret.

• Q. Congratulations on your new position as CEO of STRmix. What are your immediate plans for the organization?

A. Thank you, I am very excited about the opportunity with STRmix. Most critical in the short term is to ensure the continuity of our leading science, technology, and support to our customers while establishing STRmix as an independent entity. We see a number of ways we can better serve our market and are working hard to prioritize our efforts toward bringing robust, scientifically valid products and services to our customers.

• Q. STRmix recently went from being a program at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) to a subsidiary. Why the change and how do you expect it to impact STRmix in the future?

A. Interesting question. Going forward, we expect the ties with ESR and Forensic Science South Australia to be extremely strong. That said, ESR recognized that for STRmix to better meet the needs of our American colleagues while simultaneously continuing its growth by offering internationally successful software, we needed to be able to navigate the market with the flexibility of a young technology company.

• Q. STRmix is now being used routinely to resolve DNA profiles by 34 forensic labs in the U.S., including agencies such as the FBI and ATF. Why is STRmix becoming so widely used?

A. We believe we are getting support from the community because the science behind the product is good and because the inner working of the software is understood by users and can be explained in court. In addition to the 34 labs using STRmix in a case environment, we have 56 others currently evaluating the software. While our product is quite complex, it is based on the simple principles of scientific validity, implemented in robust software and supported by a dedicated team who help our customers by ensuring they are trained not only to understand the product, but also the underlying theory behind it. This approach has led to substantial results for these labs in terms of establishing the right results and being able to successfully defend them in numerous court cases.

• Q. Despite its apparent widespread acceptance, the use of STRmix seems to be constantly challenged in court. Why is that and do you expect these challenges to subside at some point in the future?

A. We think that a robust defense is critical to determining the right outcomes in court cases. As a result, we expect challenges to continue in the near future. In addition to the use of our software, there is a critical chain of events that a forensics lab must manage to ensure valid results when using STRmix. We expect our continuous investment in technology and the robustness of our software, along with the consistently successful use of STRmix in court cases, will help to reduce questions about the validity of our approach and software implementation moving forward.

• Q. You’ve had a very successful career in technology. Can you talk a little about how you went from being a software developer to the Controller at Intel and eventually the CEO of UbiquiOS Technology and Biotelliga Holdings?

A. While my education background is business, I have always had a keen interest in technologies and their applications in commercial environments. I like to build and apply a strategic vision while getting my hands into the underlying technology, then take a practical approach to bringing things to market and serving customers. I have used this approach successfully throughout my career.

• Q. What attracted you to make the switch to STRmix?

A. ESR and STRmix have demonstrated leadership and a strong customer focus in both the science and its implementation. They have achieved amazing success in collaboration with forensic labs around the globe. I believe that together we can extend these advances and continue to provide STRmix and other quality products and support which provide our customers with the tools for them to be successful.

• Q. What is your vision for STRmix – what changes are in store and where do you see the organization heading over the next decade?

A. We are at the beginning of a journey with STRmix. We believe that by working with our partners, we can continue to provide scientific leadership and the robust products which implement it. We believe that the core STRmix software will continue to support evidence-based results in crime labs and court cases around the globe. And we are working hard to ensure our customers get the tools they need to do their jobs well.

 About the Author

Martin Riegel is Chief Executive Officer of STRmix Ltd. Riegel recently joined STRmix after serving as Principal at Broadfield Advisory, which he co-founded in 2013 to actively help technology companies globally. To that end, he has served as CEO of UbiquiOS Technology and Biotelliga Holdings. Riegel began his career as a software developer before serving as Controller at Intel and COO and CFO at Headphone Solutions.