Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog attack: the application of canine DNA profiling in forensic casework.
- Journal:
- Forensic science, medicine, and pathology
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Clarke, Melanie & Vandenberg, Nicholas
- Affiliation:
- Genetic Technologies Limited · Australia
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In Australia, there are over 100,000 dog attacks each year, many of which remain unsolved. These attacks can cause injuries to people as well as harm or death to pets, livestock, and wildlife. When a dog attacks, it often leaves behind biological evidence, like fur or saliva, which can be tested to identify the dog involved. A laboratory has developed a method to analyze canine DNA using specific markers, which helps in solving these cases. The research discusses how to collect samples, analyze the DNA, and the challenges faced by investigators, highlighting the importance of this technique in resolving dog attack incidents.
Abstract
More than 100,000 dog attacks occur each year in Australia and many go unsolved. Dog attacks are not only a cause of human injury but may also involve injury and death to family pets, prized livestock and wildlife. Canine biological evidence can often be left behind on a victim or at the scene of an attack. Our laboratory provides canine DNA profiling for forensic investigations, utilising an in-house panel of 11 canine-specific autosomal short tandem repeat markers previously validated for use in casework. Case studies will be presented that outline methods for sampling of suspected canine biological evidence, profiling of canine DNA, statistical analysis, case outcomes and challenges for investigators.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19876780/