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Animal DNA

 

The recovery and identification of animal DNA is increasingly being used to support criminal investigations.  DNA deposited directly by the perpetrator or left as trace transfer evidence can now be identified to the species of origin and in the case of dogs, matched to an individual animal. 

As a novel sample type, animal DNA has the potential to generate new evidence in cold case reviews as well as open more avenues of investigation for current casework.  LGC Forensics operates the only specialist animal DNA forensic unit in the UK.

 

How it works

We use two key technologies for animal DNA identification: DNA profiling and DNA sequencing.  Animal DNA profiling works just like human DNA profiling, allowing us to match samples back to individual donors, or understand the family relationships among animals.

DNA sequencing is used to identify the species of animal that contributed to the evidence.  For dogs, we can take this technique further and examine the ancestral line that a dog belongs to.  These methods are extremely useful for trace evidence samples with low amounts of DNA, such as individual hairs.

 

 

Animal DNA applications

The principal applications fall into three categories: animal as victim, animal as suspect and animal as source of trace transfer evidence.  Examples of where animal DNA has been used include:

  • Matching animal hairs on a rape victim to those recovered from the suspect’s vehicle
  • Excluding a police dog from causing bite marks following a dog attack
  • Matching animal hair fragments on a sub-machine gun to the owner’s pet
  • Matching canine saliva recovered from a murder victim to an attack dog
  • Identifying animal faecal samples from footwear

 

Sample types

Animal DNA can be recovered from:

  • Tissue
  • Blood
  • Saliva
  • Hair
  • Feather
  • Horn
  • Bone
  • Urine
  • Faeces
  • Semen

 

For more information contact the Animal DNA team at LGC Forensics:

Tel: +44 (0)844 2641 999