S2nd International Forensic Science SymposiumNovember 14, 2011Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tim Schellberg, PresidentGordon Thomas Honeywell

Governmental Affairs

Policy and legislative solutions:The Power of DNA to Fight

Human Trafficking

A Global Problem

The number of slaves today is higher than any other point in history.

Approx. 2.5 million people forced into labor (including sexual exploitation) annually.

Nearly 56% of those trafficked occur in Asia and the Pacific.

A Global Problem

161 countries affected

People are trafficked from 127 countries to be exploited in 137 countries, affecting every continent and every type of economyLarge profits – Estimated annual global profits = 31 billion USD

Delivering Justice

A Global Problem

In 2006: 5,808 prosecutions. Only 3,160 convictions.

For every 800 people trafficked, only 1 person was brought to justice.

This can change.

Establishing international collaboration to share DNA profiles across borders for the purpose of finding missing or trafficked children.

DNA-Prokids Vision

DNA ProKids has a growing list of countries ready to share samples:• Bolivia• Brazil• Guatemala• Indonesia• Mexico• Nepal• Philippines• Sri Lanka• Thailand• United States

DNA to Resolve Human Trafficking

SUCCESS begins with a strong country policy.

CHINA:Human Trafficking is a Priority

Since April 2009 – nearly 39,000 human trafficking cases have been solved.

DNA database is key component of success in China:• Samples from parents compared with:

Street children/criminalsDNA Samples

1,400 children returned to their parents through DNA matches

“The national DNA database has reduced child trafficking in China.” – Chen Shiqu, Director of the anti-human trafficking office of the Ministry of Public

Security.

CHINA:Human Trafficking is a Priority

Successful program, and growing:

GUATEMALA:First country to pass DNA database legislation to fight human trafficking

Legislation passed in 2010• Requires all unidentified children to be tested and samples input into

the database.• Facilitates parents of missing children to be tested.

Considerations for Model Legislative Policy

Who will operate the database?• Same entity that operates criminal database• Separate entity to control privacy concerns

Encourage DNA collection from Parents

• Aggressive educational campaign• Sensitivity towards paternity issues• Keep human trafficking database separate from criminal database• Do not search human trafficking databases against criminal casework

database• Mitochondrial DNA testing• Consider other relatives if no parents

• Sampling of parents to become protocol once child reported missing

Require DNA from children: Homeless Criminal acts Prostitution Child labor Adoption

Consideratins for Model Legislative Policy

Proactive collection strategies Taskforce Inspection and sampling from at-risk institutions

Orphanages Prostitution houses Factories

Consideratins for Model Legislative Policy

Adoption regulations Require samples from birth parents and child before adoption approval

International Sharing Require participation in international data sharing program Limit information that is sent to international entity

Overcoming Political and Human Rights Challenges

BenefitsPrivacy Concerns

Strategies to reduce the concernsSeparate databasesCriminal penalties for misuse of dataLimiting government officials that have

access to information

Human Trafficking vs. Missing Persons Databases

Programs exist worldwide that focus on human remains, not trafficking

Consider policies from these programs• United States model policy

CODIS 7.0