DNA: the province has a specialized laboratory

DNA studies have become the star of judicial investigations into the most diverse cases. They offer a high degree of certainty and provide a scientific basis, coming from another science beyond the law, to judicial decisions.

In San Luis, at the end of 2011, the Forensic Genetics Laboratory-DNA Analysis, a division of Puntanos laboratories, the first provincial laboratory specialized in forensic genetics, was branded.

This school was created in response to a lawsuit from the Judiciary, but any individual who wants to do a DNA test, for example to settle a paternity, can take care of it, says technical director Virginia Divizia.

It says that the laboratory in San Luis is subjected every six months to quality checks by two world organizations: the Latin American Forensic Genetics Group and the Spanish and Portuguese speaking Group (GHEP) of the International Forensic Genetics International (ISFG, its acronym, by its name in English).

These institutions send samples to every laboratory in the world to determine, each on its own, a genetic profile. Everyone, if they work properly, must get the same result, explains Divizia, a graduate in Molecular Biology.

The expert explains that, broadly speaking, the procedure they apply in their studies consists of three phases: the first is to obtain a DNA sample; the second is to incorporate into the sample some reagents-valued in dollars and very expensive-with which they obtain an amplification of the DNA; and the third is the subjection of that sample to a sequencing process, "to determine the order of the four basic chemical components that form the DNA molecule".

It's easy to take a sample

It's easy to take a sample of biological material to make a DNA. In fact, on its website (www.labgeneticaporerense.com.ar), the Forensic Genetics Laboratory-DNA Analysis explains that anyone can do it, using an oral swab, and mail it to their offices for analysis by their professionals. There is no need, for example, for blood extraction, because "oral hisopates contain high precision genetic information." If someone doesn't want to do it on their own, they can go to the lab to do it.

In cases where someone privately requires a DNA study and wants the identification of the person being tested, the samples are taken in the laboratory. "A consent certificate is drawn up that includes the personal data, a digital photo and the fingerprint of the right thumb, and is signed by the identified person giving his / her permission to carry out the study," Divizia clarifies.

The cost of DNA studies ranges from 3,250 pesos per sample, for the "Y-STR paternal lineage test". A duo test, "most presumed father son", costs 6,500 pesos and the result is twenty days away. If the interested party wants the "express result" in 10 days, its value is 9,750 pesos.

For a trio, "son, mother and supposed father", the cost is 6,500 pesos (result in 20 days), because the study of the mother is free of charge. The express is $9,750.

The analyses can be paid in cash, with credit and debit card or through bank deposit or transfer.

The technical director of the Forensic Lab explains that "each person has a unique genetic profile, unrepeatable. Through a DNA test we obtain a unique Genetic Identification consisting of a combination of 16 molecular markers. " "in our lab-detail-we work with reagents that include 13 molecular markers selected by the FBI (U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation) and three additional markers."