CaDNAP: Canine DNA Profiling in forensic casework
If you think about DNA analysis for CSI (crime scene investigation) the involved humans (victim, suspect) certainly come first place. Their DNA profiles can be used to potentially prove their presence at the crime scene and their relation to the crime. Also, non-human DNA may be of equally important evidentiary value and the chance of finding relevant animal DNA is quite high given the strong social interaction of humans with pets. A successful screening method to distinguish human from non-human DNA was established earlier by analysis of the cytochrom b (cytb) gene [Parson 2000] and in some cases the determination of the biological species suffices to give the relevant answers. Sometimes however, the discrimination of individuals within a species becomes important, such as is the case with popular animals. In that sense the dog can be considered the most interesting animal species from a forensic view point. The dog is deemed to be our closest animal companion and most popular pet demonstrated by more than 400 dog breeds that are known to share people’s homes. As a consequence of the high abundance and the close integration of dogs into human social life, forensically relevant cases involving dogs, such as accidents or dog attacks, are observed regularly. Even more importantly canine tissues can serve as evidentiary link when they indicate the suspect’s (or victim’s) presence at the crime scene. We have been carrying out research on canine DNA profiling since 2001 by introducing molecular technology to aid the canine identification process [Eichmann 2004, 2005, 2006, Hellmann 2006].
CaDNAP STR-Multiplexes
Canine DNA Profiling (CaDNAP) group
To drive international harmonization of analysis and data interpretation we co-founded the Canine DNA Profiling (CaDNAP) group in 2003 in collaboration with the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt Wiesbaden [BKA]). The aims of the group have meanwhile also been recognised by other communities, such as the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) who adopted some of the recommendations for canine DNA identity testing [Budowle 2005].
U. Schleenbecker [BKA], W. Hecht [Giessen], B. Berger [GMI], U. Rohleder [BKA], C. Berger [GMI], W. Parson [GMI]
Dr. Andreas Hellmann, Dr. Uwe Schleenbecker, Udo Rohleder
Bundeskriminalamt Wiesbaden, Kriminaltechnisches Institut
KT 32 - Pflanzen-, Tier- und Bodenspuren
Dr. Werner Hecht
Institut für Veterinärpathologie, Giessen
CaDNAP Meetings
The group has organized meetings to harmonize scientific work and developments in the canine DNA field:
First Meeting „Forensic canine DNA profiling“ Wiesbaden 14.-15.05.2003
- Discussion on relevant canine STR marker.
Second Meeting „Forensic canine DNA profiling“ Göttingen 23.-24.07.2003
- Definition of the first six core markers
- Discussions on development of multiplex PCR assay
- Preparation for first interlaboratory test
Third Meeting: „Forensic canine DNA profiling“ Innsbruck 16.-18.02.2004
- Analysis of the fist interlaboratory test
- Discussion on nomenclature of the six core-markers
- Presentation of four new highly polymorphic markers
Fourth Meeting: „Forensic canine DNA profiling“ Wiesbaden 03.-05.11.2004
- Evaluation of new core-markers
- Discussion about the data management for the canine database
Fifth Meeting: „Forensic canine DNA profiling“ Kassel 01.-02.06.2006
- Development and evaluation of a canine standard control DNA
- Discussion on second interlaboratory tests
- Characterization of new STR markers
- Discussion on reporting evidence on canine DNA profiling
Sixth Meeting: „Forensic canine DNA profiling“ Innsbruck 30.06.-02.07.2008
- Analysis and presentation of the second interlaboratory test.
- Characterisation of a canine cell line (control DNA)
- Determination of eleven canine core marker
- Discussion about the canine STR database and match probability anaylsis
Literature Cited
Berger C 2009 Forensic Sci Rev 21:1
Eichmann C 2007 Int J Legal Med 121(5): 411
Hellmann A 2006 J Forensic Sci 51(2): 274
Eichmann C 2005 Forensic Sci Int 151(1): 37
Budowle B 2005 Int J Legal Med 119(5): 395
Eichmann C 2004 Int J Legal Med 118(5): 249
Eichmann C 2004 Int J Legal Med 118(6): 337
