Current and future directions of DNA in wildlife forensic science

Johnson, Rebecca N.; Wilson-Wilde, Linzi; Linacre, Adrian

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2013.12.007

Cited by 99 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 102 publications

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“…In essence, the similarities in analog and ortholog variable components of genomes provide forensic investigation of nonhuman biological substances in the same manner as for human forensics, but distinctions existing in different organisms and species, i.e., genomic architectures, reproductive strategies and genetic diversity, are continuously broadening the dependent scientific areas. The benefits stemming from the extension of forensic genetics toward nonhuman relations were clearly recognized decades ago [225], and the incorporated application of animal, plant or microorganisms has been actualized in a large scale of caseworks, from animal attacks [226,227] to bioterrorism [228], as well as in wildlife crimes [229,230], identification of food composition [231,232], Cannabis sp. chemotyping [233,234], and even the estimation of postmortem interval and skin microbiomes [235,236].…”

Section: Dna Analysis Of Nonhuman Remainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic DNA Technological Advancements as an Emerging Perspective on Medico-Legal Autopsy: A Mini Review

Pádár¹,

Zenke²,

Kozma³

2018

Post Mortem Examination and Autopsy - Current Issues From Death to Laboratory Analysis

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The importance of biological traces and evidences related to a criminal matter has been recognized for a long time. The examination of the expression of genetic polymorphism has been an integral part of the multidisciplinary field of medico-legal autopsy for over a century. Since the initial application of blood group antigens for personalization of a putative perpetrator in a murder case, the discipline of forensic genetics has evolved as a standard of forensic sciences. The real breakthrough, the application of molecular tools and processes for the in-vitro replication of genetic substances, has increasingly allowed the exploitation of advances of molecular genetics for both forensic and criminal investigations. Although there are certainly many more applications and scientific fields in the medico-legal arena, the relatively fast progress of genetics, which has accelerated recently with state-of-art technologies, can provide ever more relevant information in relation to a corpse or the cause and manner that resulted in the corpse for autopsy. This topic concerns the currently accepted forensic DNA technology, and the last section reviews commonly used markers for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis as well as ongoing research. This review also focuses on the increasingly important non-human sources of DNA, and shortly covers the main aspects of animal forensic DNA examination.

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Section: Dna Analysis Of Nonhuman Remainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic DNA Technological Advancements as an Emerging Perspective on Medico-Legal Autopsy: A Mini Review

Pádár¹,

Zenke²,

Kozma³

2018

Post Mortem Examination and Autopsy - Current Issues From Death to Laboratory Analysis

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“…Cyt b, cytochrome oxidase I (COI), two ribosomal RNA (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), the control region (D-loop) and subunits of mitochondrial encoded NADH dehydrogenase gene are the widely deployed mitochondrial gene for species identification in wildlife forensic [39]. Table 1: Details of used species/subspecies and their GenBank Accession number of Cyt b and 12S r RNA gene.…”

Section: Genetic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

A Pioneer Case Study on Identification of Infant Rhinoceros Horn

Jha¹,

Gupta²,

Kshetry³

et al. 2017

J Forensic Res

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Objective: To investigate the authenticity of infant Rhino horn sample from morphometric, microscopic, genetic and phylogenetic studies. Methods:A suspected rhino horn sample (11 cm × 13 cm) was sent to the laboratory for identification. Relevant morphometric data of sample were taken. Similarly, established methods for microscopic examination of rhino horn were adopted. Using standard universal primer, a part of Cytochrome b (Cyt b) and 12S rRNA was amplified from sample, sequenced and aligned using BLAST of the GenBank (NCBI) and in-house reference database available at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India for decisive confirmation of species.Results: Morphometric analysis showed the sample was oval, dome shaped with a bony part which was supported by upper skin. Presence of filamentous units is the microscopic identifying feature of genuine rhino horn. However, microscopic examination showed very unclear filamentous units because of the immature nature of sample. Mitochondrial sequence data revealed the source of suspected sample was of a one-horn Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). Similarly, NJ method for phylogenetic analysis for both Cytb and 12S rRNA identified sequence similarity with Rhinoceros unicornis. Conclusion:Even though the morphometric and microscopic data do not reveal much about the infant rhino horn, mtDNA sequencing used in this pioneer study can be applied in the wildlife forensic for identification of such parts in future and data used as evidence against the poachers in the court of law.

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“…The (species provenance) and finally; what is the probability that another individual member of the same species could have left the crime scene stain? (individual identification) [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Techniques used to identify an individual organism to the species level are broad and include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) [6], Raman spectroscopy [7], matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF) [8] and DNA-based methods [5]. DNA-based approaches are often preferred as they can offer a more robust approach.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Species detection using HyBeacon ® probe technology: Working towards rapid onsite testing in non-human forensic and food authentication applications

Dawnay

Hughes

Court

et al. 2016

Forensic Science International: Genetics

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26Identifying individual species or determining species' composition in an unknown sample is important 27 for a variety of forensic applications. Food authentication, monitoring illegal trade in endangered 28 species, forensic entomology, sexual assault case work and counter terrorism are just some of the fields 29 that can require the detection of the biological species present. Traditional laboratory based approaches 30 employ a wide variety of tools and technologies and exploit a number of different species specific traits 31 including morphology, molecular differences and immuno-chemical analyses. A large number of these 32 approaches require laboratory based apparatus and results can take a number of days to be returned to 33 investigating authorities. Having a presumptive test for rapid identification could lead to savings in terms 34 of cost and time and allow sample prioritisation if confirmatory testing in a laboratory is required later. 35This model study describes the development of an assay using a single HyBeacon ® probe and melt curve 36 analyses allowing rapid screening and authentication of food products labelled as Atlantic cod (Gadus 37 morhua). Exploiting melt curve detection of species specific SNP sites on the COI gene the test allows 38 detection of a target species (Atlantic cod) and closely related species which may be used as substitutes. 39The assay has been designed for use with the Field Portable ParaDNA system, a molecular detection 40 platform for non-expert users. The entire process from sampling to result takes approximately 75 41 minutes. Validation studies were performed on both single source genomic DNA, mixed genomic DNA 42 and commercial samples. Data suggests the assay has a lower limit of detection of 31 pg DNA. The 43 specificity of the assay to Atlantic cod was measured by testing highly processed food samples including 44 frozen, defrosted and cooked fish fillets as well as fish fingers, battered fish fillet and fish pie Ninety-45 six (92.7 %) of all Atlantic cod food products tested provided a correct single species result with the 46 remaining samples erroneously identified as containing non-target species. The data shows that the assay 47 was quick to design and characterise and is also capable of yielding results that would be beneficial in 48 a variety of fields, not least the authentication of food. 49 50 3

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Current and future directions of DNA in wildlife forensic science

Cited by 99 publications

References 102 publications

Forensic DNA Technological Advancements as an Emerging Perspective on Medico-Legal Autopsy: A Mini Review

Forensic DNA Technological Advancements as an Emerging Perspective on Medico-Legal Autopsy: A Mini Review

A Pioneer Case Study on Identification of Infant Rhinoceros Horn

Species detection using HyBeacon ® probe technology: Working towards rapid onsite testing in non-human forensic and food authentication applications

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