Key genetic evidence leads to 30-year sentence for serial offender in Argentina

Sebastián A. Figueroa has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Oral Criminal Court No. 1 of Quilmes for aggravated sexual abuse and robbery. This conviction marks a significant advancement in criminal justice, as Figueroa was identified using genetic evidence for the first time.

The accused was linked to the crimes through the cross-referencing of samples taken from victims, which are stored in the Genetic Data Bank (BDG) of the Buenos Aires Superior Court of Justice in La Plata. Established in 2008 and operational since 2019, the BDG plays a crucial role in identifying perpetrators of sexual offenses.

Figueroa's genetic profile was already in the National Genetic Data Registry due to a previous conviction. The investigations against him began in 2010, with subsequent attacks occurring in 2012 and 2013, all within the Quilmes area. The BDG's success in resolving serial crimes was evident in this case, as it provided irrefutable proof of his responsibility.

In parallel, the Buenos Aires City Legislature has approved the creation of a Genetic Profile Registry, a DNA bank for offenders under the purview of the Public Prosecutor's Office. This new registry expands upon a 2011 law by including not only those convicted with final sentences but also profiles of security and justice personnel to prevent contamination at crime scenes. The Provincial Genetic Fingerprint Registry in Mendoza, operational for over a decade, is considered the most advanced in Latin America, with a high success rate in identifying perpetrators from biological traces found at crime scenes.