Trent University Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory Services

• Species Identification
  
• Population Identification
  
• Individual Identification
  
• Parentage Analysis
  
• Identification of Mixed Game Animal Tissue with
  Domestic Animal Tissue
  
• Sex Identification
  
• Expert Testimony and Consultation

• Examples of Wildlife & Fish Species
  
• Moose (Alces alces)
  
• White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
  
• Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)
  
• Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
  
• Canadian Elk (Cervus canadiensis)
  
• Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
  
• Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
  
• Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)
  
• Common Eider (Somateria sp.)
  
• Mallard Duck (Anas pl)
  
• Atlantic Puffin (Fraterculini arctica arctica)
  
• Black Guillimot (Cepphus grille arcticus)
  
• Dovekie (Alle alle alle)
  
• Peregrine Falcons (Falco perigrinus)
  
• Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)
  
• Walleye (Stizostedion vutreum)
  
• Caviar sp.
  

Examples of Domestic Species:

• Cattle (Bos domesticus)
  
• Lamb (Ovis aries)
  
• Pig (Sus domesticus)
  
• Canine (Canis sp.)

Population Identification

A Potential Use for Population Identification in Ontario.

Population identification may prove useful in the prosecution of those poaching Ontario moose and deer. For example, identifying a moose that originated from northwestern Ontario that was claimed as originating from northeastern Ontario.

At present, samples are being collected for Trent University's Wildlife Forensic Laboratory to establish
a database for use in such analysis. Databases for the population identification of tree species and various fish species are under development.

Individual Identification

Individual identification is performed using individual specific DNA profiles or "DNA Fingerprints". Microsatellite DNA profiling has shown that tissue samples from various organs of an animal show identical fingerprint patterns. These patterns have been shown to vary between different animals of the same species.

For example, a DNA profile can be used to match a sample taken from an illegal kill site (gut pile)
to a sample seized from as suspected poacher (frozen meat). In addition the analysis can determine
the number of animals involved in a fish or wildlife infraction.

Parentage Analysis

Parentage analysis can be performed using individual specific DNA profiles or "DNA Fingerprints" to determine if captive bred animals are the legal offspring of registered breeding pairs or if animals have been illegally obtained from wild stocks. For example, the analysis of Peregrine falcon and eider duck chicks from breeding programs.

Identification of Mixed Game Animal Tissue with Domestic Animal Tissue

Southern blot analysis of species-specific highly repetitive DNA probes can be used to detect the presence of game animal in processed meat samples, which include domestic animal tissue.

If you are interested in quantification of game in a product, please contact us in advance. For some species the analysis is still in the research and developement stages.

Sex Identification

Ungulates: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of X and Y chromosome-specific DNA allows the determination of the sex of ungulates, including moose, white-tailed deer, caribou and elk, lacking gender-specific morphological characteristics. This process allows one to determine the sex
of an animal based on a blood or tissue sample.

Birds: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of Z and W chromosome-specific CDH gene allows the determination of the sex of a number of bird species, including falcons, common eiders, turkey, ovenbirds and more. This process allows one to determine the sex of bird species based on
a blood, tissue or feathers obtained. Bird sexing is currently under development.

Expert Testimony and Consultation

Researchers from the Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory provide expert testimony and consultation services for Conservation officers. Dr. Bradley N. White, Dina Abdelhakim and Dr. Paul J. Wilson have provided testimony for more that 30 cases over the last 12 years in the Ontario, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia Provincial Courts.

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