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Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

Other Non-human Forensic DNA Analysis

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Photo of the cover of a book "Botanical Witness for the Prosecution" as well as leaf collected as evidence
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

Forensic DNA methods are being applied to criminal cases involving virtually any nonhuman source imaginable:

  • Cat and dog hairs and bodily fluids may be associated with a crime.
  • Fur, feathers, bone, blood, urine, feces, and saliva may link an animal to a poacher or verify illegal importation of animal products such as pelts or tusks.
  • Meat products may be traced to cattle with mad-cow disease.
  • Pods, seeds, leaves, bark, and roots of illegal plants or controlled substances, including marijuana may be present at a crime scene. Data collected from plants constitutes the newly emerging field of forensic botany. 2

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