08/02/2021
The ICRIME project has conducted training sessions with the countries of the Central American Integration System to address the use of DNA databases in investigations
The ICRIME project has conducted training sessions with the countries of the Central American Integration System to address the use of DNA databases in investigations
Over two weeks of training on the Connect FIIAPP platform, specialists from I-CRIME, a project funded by the European Union, have addressed the technical aspects derived from the use of DNA databases in criminal investigations. This activity is a continuation of the work sessions carried out last year by I-CRIME, a project which is jointly managed by FIIAPP.
The training has turned out to be a key activity since many of the countries belonging to the Central American Integration System(SICA) have not yet implemented specific legislation regarding the use of DNA databases, despite the importance they have for criminal investigation and the identification of missing persons.
In this activity, the model used in Spain to incorporate genetic profiles and the different steps that have been followed up to now were presented. After discussing the advantages using a database can have for criminal investigation, the search for missing persons or in the management of major catastrophes, the situation in Europe was reviewed, where the Treaty of Prum has facilitated the exchange of this information in the international arena.
In addition, different technical aspects relating to the types of profiles, the selection of markers and the search algorithms have been studied in depth. This training has been constantly accompanied by the presentation and analysis of practical cases allowing a great deal of interaction between the participants.
During the sessions, special emphasis was placed on the use of databases applied to person identification, a matter that acquires great importance in the SICA region, which shares a common problem relating to migratory movements, unidentified corpses and the need to tackle the management of major catastrophes with multiple victims.
The activity was coordinated by Eusebio López, the national administrator of the Ministry of the Interior DNA Database, with the participation of Alicia Bofarull, an expert in forensic genetics from the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences and Marta Ventura, a specialist in genetics from the General Commissariat of the Forensic Police.
