Transforming forensic quality management with agentic AI

Forensic laboratories operate under considerable pressure: accreditation demands, evolving regulations and persistent backlogs all while managing workflows across multiple systems. At AFQAM 2025 we presented how agentic AI is not just a future promise - it is already helping labs modernize, stabilize processes and elevate compliance. Here’s how. 

The gap between complexity and tools 

Despite the sophistication of modern forensic science, many labs still lean on spreadsheets, email and disconnected tools. Research from Verdantix shows that 70% of organizations, including many in regulated industries, still depend on manual systems for critical work. Meanwhile 85% of quality professionals report that compliance has grown significantly more complex in just the past few years. 

That mismatch of rising demands paired with outdated tools is where agentic AI delivers real value. The goal is not automation for its own sake but embedding intelligent, autonomous helpers into operations, so complexity becomes manageable. 

What is agentic AI? 

Agentic AI is a system of autonomous agents that sense data, plan actions, execute tasks and learn continuously. Think of it as a virtual rule-driven assistant that monitors workflows, makes decisions, executes steps and adapts over time. 

These agents operate in a repeating loop: 

1. Sense triggers (for example, new case submissions or deadlines) 
2. Plan sequences of actions (routes, approvals, roles) 
3. Act by executing tasks via integrated systems 
4. Reflect on outcomes to improve future performance 

This cycle is not theoretical. Cutting-edge labs are testing and adopting this approach today. 

Key challenges and how agentic AI helps 

System sprawl 

Labs often depend on a patchwork of systems: LIMS, QMS modules, CAPA systems, training platforms, audit tools, e-signatures and more. Each function may live in its own silo, which makes linking processes end-to-end difficult. 

Agentic AI can analyze your SOPs and historical data to automatically build unified workflows—with roles, steps, SLAs and connections to documents. What used to take weeks to design can now be done in minutes. 

Staffing and capacity constraints 

Many forensic labs face understaffing or high turnover. Teams become overburdened trying to map processes, maintain controls and adjust to new standards. 

Agentic AI reduces the manual design burden. You define high-level goals and the AI generates routing logic, forms, compliance checks and approval paths. Teams onboard faster and focus on forensic tasks rather than administrative overhead. 

Data integrity, traceability and security gaps 

Even laboratories using LIMS still experience risk in the gaps—manual uploads, spreadsheets, or email handoffs reintroduce errors and weaken control. 

By enforcing structured, auditable workflows, agentic AI helps close those gaps. Approvals, compliance checks and chain-of-custody logic become built in. Instead of chasing missing steps, labs proactively prevent them. 

Measurable outcomes in the lab 

Early adopters are seeing tangible benefits: 

• Productivity improvements of 65–80%, allowing smaller teams to do more 
• Cost savings of 30–50% thanks to fewer errors and rework 
• 83% of staff report higher job satisfaction because they can focus on higher-value work 

These aren’t hypothetical gains—they’re emerging in regulated settings that demand rigor and traceability. 

How it applies to forensic quality management 

For forensic labs, AI-powered quality systems combine multiple essential capabilities: 

• Document control with full audit trails and chain-of-custody support 
• Automated workflows for peer review, sign-offs and deviation routing 
• Training and competency management ensuring only qualified users execute procedures 
• Audit, compliance and CAPA management tools for mock inspections and real-time tracking 
• Accreditation support linking documents, training, audits and CAPAs to standards like ISO 15189 or ISO/IEC 17025 
• Secure data retention for long-term evidence and reports under strict access controls 

In practice, the AI system surfaces relevant SOPs, enforces required steps, offers guidance, detects anomalies and can anticipate potential bottlenecks. 

The role of community: Luminate 

Technology alone is not enough. That’s why labs using Ideagen’s platform gain access to Luminate, a community and cloud services hub. Through Luminate labs can: 

• Collaborate with peer institutions 
• Share best practices, templates and workflows 
• Access training, guides and resources tailored to forensic quality 
• Stay connected with the broader quality and compliance ecosystem 

Looking ahead 

Agentic AI is not a distant trend—it’s already beginning to reshape forensic quality management. By automating design, enforcing control and eliminating procedural gaps, labs can operate faster, safer and with more confidence. 

Have questions or want to see what this could look like for your lab? Contact our team and let’s talk.