The CaDNAP 13-STR panel To gain general acceptance forensic DNA testing in animals needs to improve standardization of analysis methods and data interpretation. Recently, the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) took particular care of this topic by publishing recommendations for forensic non-human DNA analysis following the successful example of human DNA analysis in order to provide a basis for harmonization of the still existing inter-laboratory variability. By following these recommendations we demonstrate the performance of two short tandem repeat (STR) multiplexes for forensic identity testing of canine biological material. [Read More]

Cannabis STR typing Cannabis sativa is on the one hand the most widely consumed illicit drug and therefore the subject of one of the most common drug law offenses in Europe; on the other hand, it is also increasingly used for medical purposes (lit). Verifying legal marijuana products and identifying links between illegal Cannabis plantation and confiscated stolen cannabis are one of the most forensic issues that requires individualisation of plantlets/seedlings using STR markers. [Read More]

STRoe deer multiplex European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) are the most common game species in Europe, hunted for meat and trophies. Forensic investigations involving roe deer poaching may often benefit from an individual identification method to link a suspect to a specific incident. The current paper presents a forensically validated DNA profiling system for European roe deer called “STRoe deer”. This DNA profiling system consists of 12 novel unlinked tetranucleotide short tandem repeat (STR) loci and two sexing markers, with an allelic ladder to facilitate accurate genotyping. [Read More]

14 feline STR markers Since the domestic cat (Felis catus) has become one of the most popular pets and owners usually develop a close relationship to their cats, it is necessary to take traces of cats into account for forensic casework. For this purpose feline short tandem (STR) repeat markers have been investigated in several earlier studies, but no detailed description of sequence data, allelic variations or a repeat-based nomenclature is available. [Read More]

Species identification by means of the cytochrome b gene Species identification was carried out by nucleotide sequence analysis of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene. The aim of the study was to identify biological specimens from diverse vertebrate animals by extracting and amplifying DNA from 44 different animal species covering the 5 major vertebrate groups (i.e. mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes). The sequences derived were used to identify the biological origin of the samples by aligning to cytb gene sequence entries in nucleotide databases using the program BLAST. [Read More]