 2 nd International Forensic Science Symposium November 14, 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tim Schellberg, President Gordon 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 economy Large 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/criminals DNA 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 Benefits Privacy Concerns Strategies to reduce the concerns  Separate databases  Criminal penalties for misuse of data  Limiting 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