Trent University Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory

The Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory is a Trent University service and research facility that provides DNA forensic evidence for provincial, federal, international, and non-government agencies. Originally established in 1989 at Queen's University by Dr. Bradley White, the facility was moved to McMaster University in 1991 and then to Trent in 1997.

In 1991 the laboratory produced the first DNA evidence involving a wildlife infraction to be accepted
into a North American court. Since then the lab has processed over 750 forensic cases involving
moose, white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, walleye and rainbow trout. DNA analysis has
provided evidence for convictions with fines ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 per case.

Fish and Wildlife DNA profiling is done from collected samples such as blood, hair, bone, tissue,
antler and fish scales. The laboratory offers the following services:

• The use of DNA fingerprinting in individual identification and parentage analysis.
  
• The use of DNA markers for species identification.
  
• The identification of mixed game animal tissue with domestic animal tissue.
  
• The sex identification of ungulates, and population identification.
  
• The primary purpose of the Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory is for the benefit of wildlife management and, as such, it is a non-profit organization.