Forensic genetic identification of sharks involved in human attacks

Oury, Nicolas; Jaquemet, Sébastien; Simon, Gwenola; Casalot, Laurie; Vangrevelynghe, Géry; Landron, Fanch; Magalon, Hélène

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2021.102558

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Our successful recovery, barcoding and fingerprinting of shark transfer DNA from the wounds of two shark bite victims confirms that this is a viable approach for identifying the culprit species and individuals responsible for shark bite incidents. Although previous studies have also successfully applied DNA barcoding and fingerprinting to identify the culprits responsible for shark bite incidents 38,39 , this is the first study to implicate the same individual in two separate incidents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…biopsy sampling of free-swimming or captured individuals). Following a severe shark bite incident, the fingerprint obtained from transfer DNA could be compared to the database to identify a specific culprit 30,39 that would be externally identifiable from an identification tag or photo-ID. Once identified as responsible for a bite on humans and found again thanks to a monitoring sites, the problem individuals could be removed (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent studies have successfully used transfer DNA recovered from depredated fish catches 37 , neoprene and surfboards 38 to identify the culprit shark species. A recent study has successfully used transfer DNA recovered from human wounds 39 to identify two individual bull sharks responsible for human fatalities in Reunion island.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals

Clua

Meyer

Linnell

et al. 2022

Preprint

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DNA evidence is routinely used to identify individual predators responsible for attacks on people and livestock in terrestrial settings. However, the transfer of DNA techniques to aquatic environments for similar purposes is a recent development. To date, DNA barcoding has been used successfully to identify shark species depredating fish catches and biting surfboards and neoprene surfaces. In this study we demonstrate the successful DNA barcoding and fingerprinting of an individual tiger shark from transfer DNA collected directly from the wounds of two shark bite victims within two incidents that occurred 30 days and 85 km apart. This finding supports the existence of problem individuals among large shark species that target humans as potential prey. The successful use of DNA techniques to identify both species and specific individuals responsible for shark bites opens the door to selective removal of these individuals as an innovative shark bite risk management strategy. This selective approach would be a more effective, eco-responsible, cost-effective and ethical solution for vulnerable taxa than ongoing non-selective culling campaigns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals

Clua

Meyer

Linnell

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Total genomic DNA of all 63 samples was individually extracted using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), following the manufacturer's instructions. In order to identify the species associated with the studied samples, the complete mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) was amplified using the fish-specific primer cocktails C_FishF1t1/C_FishR1t1 [34], as in Oury and coauthors [35]. Sequences were checked for quality and edited using Geneious 8.1.2 [36].…”

Section: Species Molecular Identification Of Specimensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elasmobranch Diversity at Reunion Island (Western Indian Ocean) and Catches by Recreational Fishers and a Shark Control Program

Jaquemet¹,

Oury²,

Poirout³

et al. 2023

Diversity

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Elasmobranchs are declining worldwide due to overfishing. In developing countries and island states in tropical regions, small-scale and recreational fisheries can significantly impact the dynamics of neritic species. We investigated elasmobranch diversity at Reunion Island, a marine biodiversity hotspot in the Western Indian Ocean. Combining information from the literature, catches from the local shark control program, results from a survey of local recreational fishing, and through barcoding of some specimens, we updated the list of elasmobranchs to 65 species. However, uncertainties remain about the actual presence of some species, such as the three sawfish species. Results highlight the disappearance of most coral reef-associated species, as already suspected. Results also suggest that local populations of scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) and bottlenose wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae) seem healthy, in contrast with their decline in the region. For some species, such as bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) and scalloped hammerhead sharks, Reunion Island is a site of reproduction, and as such, the species are exploited at both juvenile and adult stages, which likely increases their vulnerability. In the context of global elasmobranch decline, it is urgent to clarify the conservation status and evaluate the degree of isolation of local populations to identify research and conservation priorities.

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Forensic species identification: practical guide for animal and plant DNA analysis

Corradini,

Gianfreda,

Ferri

et al. 2024

Int J Legal Med

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The importance of non-human DNA in the forensic field has increased greatly in recent years, together with the type of applications. The molecular species identification of animal and botanical material may be crucial both for wildlife trafficking and crime scene investigation. However, especially for forensic botany, several challenges slow down the implementation of the discipline in the routine.Although the importance of molecular analysis of animal origin samples is widely recognized and the same value is acknowledged to the botanical counterpart, the latter does not find the same degree of application.The availability of molecular methods, especially useful in cases where the material is fragmented, scarce or spoiled preventing the morphological identification, is not well known. This work is intended to reaffirm the relevance of non-human forensic genetics (NHFG), highlighting differences, benefits and pitfalls of the current most common molecular analysis workflow for animal and botanical samples, giving a practical guide. A flowchart describing the analysis paths, divided in three major working areas (inspection and sampling, molecular analysis, data processing and interpretation), is provided. More real casework examples of the utility of non-human evidence in forensic investigations should be shared by the scientific community, especially for plants. Moreover, concrete efforts to encourage initiatives in order to promote quality and standardization in the NHFG field are also needed.

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Forensic genetic identification of sharks involved in human attacks

Cited by 5 publications

References 41 publications

Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals

Using genetic profiling for short and long term improved and eco-responsible management of shark problem individuals

Elasmobranch Diversity at Reunion Island (Western Indian Ocean) and Catches by Recreational Fishers and a Shark Control Program

Forensic species identification: practical guide for animal and plant DNA analysis

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