DNA REVIEWS Abstract DNA has now been used to aid criminal investigation for more than 20 years. The vast majority of this evidence has been produced by profiling of human genetic mate- rial. However, DNA profiling technology is not restricted to the human genome. Regions of genetic material displaying similar characteristics to markers used for forensic purposes in the human genome have been identified in many other animal species. Although nonhuman DNA profiling has been used for a small number of forensic investigations, the full potential of this evidence type has yet to be realized. Key Words: Forensic pathology; DNA profiling; canine; feline; mt DNA; STR. (DOI: 10.1385/Forensic Sci. Med. Pathol.:1:2:159) 159 Nonhuman DNA Eleanor A. M. Graham Forensic Pathology Unit, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK Address for correspondence and reprints: Forensic Pathology Unit University of Leicester Robert Kilpatrick Building Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK E-mail: eamg1@le.ac.uk Accepted for publication: March 12, 2005 F orensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology Copyright © 2005 Humana Press Inc. All rights of any nature whatsoever are reserved. ISSN 1547-769X/05/1:159–162/$30.00 eISSN 1556-2891 INTRODUCTION The use of DNA evidence in aiding forensic investigation is now so commonly recognized that it has become almost impossible to avoid. Even when relaxing at home watching television the subject cannot be escaped, from paternity test- ing on most talk shows to 60 second DNA profile generation on popular crime scene fiction dramas, the subject needs no introduction. But are we really taking full advantage of the overwhelming array of DNA technologies available to the forensic community? One area of DNA profiling that has yet to receive such widespread popularity does not directly involve humans, but every other living being. Nonhuman DNA profiling for foren- sic purposes is not a new concept and is not limited to ani- mals alone. Within the food industry DNA can be used to elucidate the origin of wheat species for use in breeding pro- grams within the food industry (1) and uncover illegal origins of shark fins used for soup (2). Drug traffickers can also have their merchandise traced using the same technology (3). The above examples involve specific legal problems, but we need look no further than ours and our neighbor’s homes for a more encompassing use of nonhuman DNA. Currently residing within UK households are 6.5 to 7.4 million dogs (4) that if called on can act as additional witnesses to or be involved in criminal activity. The first case accepted by a court to involve DNA profiling of a domestic animal to aid a murder investi- gation occurred in 1997. This involved matching feline hairs found on a discarded leather jacket stained with the victims blood to the suspect’s own pet (5). In order to demonstrate the potential of nonhuman DNA evidence, the rest of this review will be dedicated to a single species, Canis familiaris, the domestic dog. CANINE DNA In the years subsequent to the discovery of highly poly- morphic repetitive DNA sequences in the human genome (6), similar regions were quickly identified in other species. In 1993, a group of dinucleotide repeats was reported for the domestic dog (7). As quickly as human DNA profiling pro- gressed to use of tetranucleotide markers (8), areas of similar molecular structure were recognized and published for canines (9). By 2001 a set of 172 canine microsatellite markers had been identified, quoted by the authors to contain all of the char- acteristics required for selection of human markers for foren- sic DNA databases (10). Recently a multiplex canine DNA profiling approach, based on the same techniques as human profiling kits, has been published that includes 15 loci (11). With the genetic information and technical abilities avail- able we can now consider the plausible uses of such within the forensic field. The matter of paternity verification can be