The use of genetic markers to estimate relationships between dogs in the course of criminal investigations

Abstract

ObjectiveAttacks on humans by dogs in a pack, though uncommon, do happen, and result in severe, sometimes fatal, injuries. We describe the role that canine genetic markers played during the investigation of a fatal dog-pack attack involving a 50-year-old male truck driver in a parking lot in Tuscany (Italy). Using canine specific STR genetic markers, the local authorities, in the course of their investigations, reconstructed the genetic relationships between the dogs that caused the deadly aggression and other dogs belonging to the owner of the parking who, at the moment of the aggression, was located in another region of Italy.Results From a Bayesian clustering algorithm, the most likely number of clusters was two. The average relatedness among the dogs responsible for the aggression was higher than the average relatedness among the other dogs or between the two groups. Taken together, all these results indicate that the two groups of dogs are clearly distinct. Genetic relationships showed that the two groups of dogs were not related. It was therefore unlikely that the murderous dogs belonged to the owner of the parking lot who, on grounds of this and additional evidence, was eventually acquitted.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2722-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Identification of Target Chicken Populations by Machine Learning Models Using the Minimum Number of SNPs

“…This approach can provide useful information for the development of the best SNP marker combination for use in forensic science, conservation genetics, and livestock traceability systems [ 46 , 47 , 48 ]. There is scope to further develop our research; for example, Biscarini et al (2015) [ 49 ] presented a model for predicting the root vigor class in sugar beets, with nearly 100% accuracy based on a minimum set of 30–50 SNPs.…”

Genetic characterization of four dog breeds with Illumina CanineHD BeadChip

“…In 2011, recommendations from the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) for non-human DNA analysis in forensic casework were published based on the successful model for human DNA [1]. Among domesticated animals, canine DNA is perhaps the most often encountered and investigated in the forensic community [2][3][4][5]. The US, Brazil and China are the top three countries in regards to ownership of canines.…”

Molecular markers used in forensic genetics

“…The Canine Genotypes Panel 2.1 Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific), amplifying 18 polymorphic loci and sex determining locus ZFX/Y is considered an informative and robust tool for the identity and parentage testing of dogs, and can be applied in such forensic cases as a dog attack or animal abuse. 20,21 Commercial kits are also available for cats (the MeowPlex Kit amplifying 11 STRs markers and a sex identification marker) that can be used when cat hairs are evidence associated with crime scenes. 22 The identification of animals based on STR markers also plays a growing role in solving crimes against wildlife, including the ivory black market, 23 poaching and smuggling of endangered species.…”