If you are using SampleCheck for the first time after the installation, you should read this page and save your data in this order to the database. For the further use of SampleCheck you can skip most of these steps. It is recommended first reading the first three chapters about information management to know about the used expressions and file types.
A present database connection is mandatory for the use of SampleCheck. Click on File->Connect and enter your name and password to the dialog. Click on Connect. Further information is found in the chapter "Connecting to the database".
It is recommended to define some preferred settings initially. Click on File->Settings and choose your default population in the dialog. If SampleCheck shall retrieve information from other databases while saving DNA profiles you need to define these settings on the next tab sheet. Further information is found in the chapter "Settings".
First you need to save a population dependent allele frequency table. Click on File->Open and choose an appropriate file. Now click on File->Save file to DB. The alleles for the sex marker Amelogenin are already stored in the database from the beginning. The following populations are already stored in the database from the beginning (without allele frequency values):
| Abbreviation | Name |
| gc | German Caucasian |
| ac | American Caucasian |
It is recommended to save mutation rates in order that it is possible to calculate a likelihood ratio even if there is a mutation. Click on File->Open and choose an appropriate file. Then click on File->Save file to DB.
Before you can save DNA profiles, you need to save information about your STR kits. Click on File->New->Kit type and enter a name and an abbreviation of the kit to the dialog. Click on Save. The following kits are already stored in the database from the beginning:
| Abbreviation | Name |
| P | PowerPlex16 |
| S | SGM Plus |
| C | Cofiler |
| I | Identifiler |
| N | Nonaplex |
Click on File->Open and choose a file containing a DNA profile of a coworker. Now click on File->Coworker's profile and enter the coworker's name to the dialog. Click on Save.
Click on File->Open and choose a file containing the expected values of a positive control. Now click on File->Positive control. Enter the name of the positive control to the dialog and choose the appropriate kit. Click on Save.
To create a new batch click on File->New->Batch. In the dialog choose the coworker who has processed the batch a. Also choose the measure date. Click on Save.
Click on File->New->Scenario type and enter a description of a scenario to the dialog. Click on Save.
To create a new test click on File->New->Test. In the dialog enter a test ID, choose a kit and a scenario. Optionally you can enter some remarks. Click on Save.
Click on File->New->Pedigree data and in the dialog enter the name of the role a person plays in the family and an abbreviation. Click on Save. The following roles are already stored in the database from the beginning:
| Abbreviation | Description |
| af | alleged father |
| af2 | second alleged father |
| af3 | third alleged father |
| am | alleged mother |
| am2 | second alleged mother |
| am3 | third alleged mother |
| c | child |
| c2 | second child |
| c3 | third child |
| c4 | fourth child |
| c5 | fifth child |
| c6 | sixth child |
| f | father |
| fb | fatherīs brother |
| m | mother |
| u | unknown |
Now you save DNA profiles of customers. Click on File->Open and choose an appropriate file. Then click on File->Save file to DB. In the dialog choose the population this customer belongs to. Also choose the test this customer belongs to and the batch in which this sample has been processed. If necessary you need to enter the role this customer plays in the family, too, if this information cannot be read from the file. Click on Add data to table. If you have entered this data for all DNA profiles of the file, click on Save.