La necesidad del intercambio transfronterizo de datos genéticos con fines de investigación criminal en América Latina: retos para su implementación

DNA databases for criminal investigation purposes, constitute a tool of indisputable utility in the investigation of criminal acts.

In the countries of Latin America there is a progressive advance in the implementation of databases for forensic use. The existing legislation is limited, and it is also heterogeneous both with respect to the crimes included and the procedural situation of the individuals whose DNA is subject to registration. Most of them do not require the accreditation of the forensic laboratories under the ISO 17025 standard. Existing DNA databases currently lack a standard communication regime.

The establishment of a system of consultation and exchange of genetic data in support of national criminal systems and the prosecution of crimes at the international level, demands cooperation agreements, for which, those implemented in the European Union since 1992, perfected with the decision of Prüm, constitute a valuable reference.