ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 9

Forensic Application of Repetitive DNA Markers to the Species Identification of Animal Tissues
White, BN
Graduate Student and Professor/Chair, Department of Biology, McMaster University,

Guglich, EA
Technician, Department of Biology, Queen's University,

Wilson, PJ
Graduate Student and Professor/Chair, Department of Biology, McMaster University,

(Received 1 March 1993; accepted 15 September 1993)

Abstract

Highly repetitive DNA markers have been used for determining the species origin of animal tissues in cases of illegal commercialization and poaching of game animals. This approach has been used in cases involving white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), moose (Alces alces) and black bear (Ursus americanus). Digesting the DNA with various restriction enzymes, agarose electrophoresis and staining with ethidium bromide revealed unique banding patterns for each species. These patterns have been used to distinguish meat from game animal species from commercial sources of meat and organs. Data are presented from two Ontario court cases that demonstrate the application of the procedure.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, species identification, illegal commercialization, white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, repetitive DNA

Paper ID: JFS13606J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13606J
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