Wildlife DNA Analysis

The William R. Maples Center for Forensic Medicine at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine offers genetic analysis for wildlife to Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies, and private groups. There is a growing need for the application of forensic genetic analysis to cases of animal crime. In response, the Maples Center for Forensic Medicine employs a DNA analyst specifically for animal casework. The Maples Center for Forensic Medicine can perform genetic analysis in many areas of animal crime: dog fighting, cock fighting, canid predator identification and wildlife poaching. The Maples Center for Forensic Medicine is devoted to offering forensic services for wildlife to law enforcement and wildlife agencies on a national and international basis.

DNA Typing

Types of cases that are processed at the Maples Center for Forensic Medicine include animals injured or killed during domestic violence, home invasions, police shootings, hit by cars, identifying dogs and other animals, and illegal take of wildlife.

The analysts at the Maples Center have identified skinned carcasses, animal predation, and physical items of evidence utilized in animal fighting operations.

Available testing includes:

  • DNA Fingerprinting (individual identity/matching evidence) of dogs, white tailed deer, alligators, and other species.
  • Species identification of most canid species: domestic dog, fox, coyote, wolf.
  • Services are available to Federal, State, and Local agencies, and private agencies.

For more information contact:
Ginger Clark, M.S.
gclark@ufl.edu
352-294-4487