TY - JOUR
T1 - Human trafficking – Multinational challenge for forensic science
AU - Buś, Magdalena M.
AU - Schellberg, Tim
AU - Budowle, Bruce
N1 - Funding Information:
We would like to thank the U.S. Department of State (Award No. S-INLEC-17-GR-1013) and S-INLEC-19-GR-0383, The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, The Institute of Legal Medicine (IML, El Salvador), The Institute of Forensic Medicine (IMF, Honduras), The National Institute of Forensic Sciences of Guatemala (INACIF) in Guatemala, The State of Texas.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2019/12
Y1 - 2019/12
N2 - Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing and profitable types of transnational crime. This form of modern-day slavery encompasses diverse practices of human exploitation such as sex trafficking, forced labor, marriage, begging, child soldiers, and illegal organ transplantation. The consequences of human trafficking affect all countries, are devastating for victims and society while impacting social, economic, and health costs. The project led by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) is assisting Central American countries to identify the missing and address human trafficking by developing model legislation and policy, effective DNA forensic science capabilities and creating database systems. The focus for human identification is on at-risk individuals who are the most vulnerable part of society. This program engages the public and government to establish legislative models for DNA identification of missing persons that protect the privacy of individuals. The State of Texas recently provided support for UNTCHI to develop programs that address the human trafficking problem in Texas. The program will concentrate on training law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, students, and the public to recognize the signs of human trafficking and provide avenues of interdiction for victims. Additionally, as part of this effort a standalone humanitarian DNA database, which is established and managed by UNTCHI, has been implemented to enhance identification of missing persons, especially those who have crossed the border or may have been trafficked and died during their journey. As a standalone database, the system is not connected to the State DNA Index System (SDIS) or the National DNA Index System (NDIS) and thus not accessible by law enforcement. With this database, reference DNA profiles can be obtained from Central American countries and Mexico to identify human remains found in Texas while maintaining confidentiality and human rights. This work is an example of an effective means of transferring forensics, technology, and database practices, establishing policy and legislation, engaging the public, and developing strategies for sustainability for high incident countries. Ultimately the approach can promote a multinational exchange of DNA data to identify the missing.
AB - Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing and profitable types of transnational crime. This form of modern-day slavery encompasses diverse practices of human exploitation such as sex trafficking, forced labor, marriage, begging, child soldiers, and illegal organ transplantation. The consequences of human trafficking affect all countries, are devastating for victims and society while impacting social, economic, and health costs. The project led by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) is assisting Central American countries to identify the missing and address human trafficking by developing model legislation and policy, effective DNA forensic science capabilities and creating database systems. The focus for human identification is on at-risk individuals who are the most vulnerable part of society. This program engages the public and government to establish legislative models for DNA identification of missing persons that protect the privacy of individuals. The State of Texas recently provided support for UNTCHI to develop programs that address the human trafficking problem in Texas. The program will concentrate on training law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, students, and the public to recognize the signs of human trafficking and provide avenues of interdiction for victims. Additionally, as part of this effort a standalone humanitarian DNA database, which is established and managed by UNTCHI, has been implemented to enhance identification of missing persons, especially those who have crossed the border or may have been trafficked and died during their journey. As a standalone database, the system is not connected to the State DNA Index System (SDIS) or the National DNA Index System (NDIS) and thus not accessible by law enforcement. With this database, reference DNA profiles can be obtained from Central American countries and Mexico to identify human remains found in Texas while maintaining confidentiality and human rights. This work is an example of an effective means of transferring forensics, technology, and database practices, establishing policy and legislation, engaging the public, and developing strategies for sustainability for high incident countries. Ultimately the approach can promote a multinational exchange of DNA data to identify the missing.
KW - DNA databases
KW - DNA typing
KW - Human trafficking
KW - Humanitarian DNA database
KW - Modern-day slavery
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85073811263&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.fsigss.2019.10.029
DO - 10.1016/j.fsigss.2019.10.029
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85073811263
SN - 1875-1768
VL - 7
SP - 403
EP - 405
JO - Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series
JF - Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series
IS - 1
ER -