Reducing Human Trafficking Through Forensics in Central America

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To assist efforts to decrease human trafficking within and from Central America, the offeror shall help to establish a DNA database of known samples from parents or family members with missing or abducted children in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, or enhance any existing database which can provide this service. Projects should include collaboration with local law enforcement, civil society, and academic institutions, and should seek to leverage investments from the private sector. Projects should build on existing DNA forensic capacity being developed and implemented in Central America, and shall identify legal, procedural, and functional opportunities for and help resolve any obstacles to collecting, maintaining, and sharing DNA samples and database information for the purpose of countering human trafficking. This may include activities such as assisting with drafting and passage of legislation to enable DNA sample collection, testing, and sharing of information; establishing SOPs for the collection, appropriate safeguarding, and sharing of DNA samples or DNA profiles; enhancing technical capacity of partners to collect and analyze DNA samples or database information; and public outreach activities to engage potential families in providing DNA samples. Projects should be weighted with 50 percent of effort in Guatemala, and 25 percent of effort in each El Salvador and Honduras, and should help develop sustainable capacity in each country to continue these efforts after the end of any project, including train-the-trainer activities.

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