NCJ Number
235381
Journal
Forensic Science International: Genetics Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2011 Pages: 333-335
Date Published
August 2011
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This study examined the use of ovine microsatellite-based parentage testing to identify the source of poisoning in protected wildlife.
Abstract
In this study, the authors present an animal forensic genetics case in which they applied ovine microsatellite based parentage testing to the resolution of an act against protected wildlife. The aim was to identify the origin of the animal responsible for the death of an Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) that had been poisoned through consumption of a Latxa Blond Face breed lamb. Thus, the authors carried out a 22 microsatellite based parentage test in order to identify the parents of the lamb in the flock which grazes in the same place where the vulture's remains were found. Multiple parentage analysis revealed two possible parents, one ewe and one ram, with a combined paternity/maternity index (PI) higher than 9.09E9 and a likelihood (W) value of 99.9999 percent, assuming 50 percent probability a priori. This result confirmed the flock of origin of the poisoned lamb and shows that the microsatellite panel described herein is a potentially useful tool for the resolution of animal forensic cases. (Published Abstract)