DNA barcode based identification of a suspected tiger skin: A case to resolve mimicry

Abstract

An animal skin confiscated from a suspect was referred to our laboratory for DNA analysis. The investigating officer suspected that skin may have been from a tiger cub, Panthera tigris. As this tiger species is listed under the Indian wildlife protection act (1972), possession or trading of such a skin would be a serious offence. However, according to Indian law, the investigating officer has only a limited amount of time to document the species of origin of the skin, and the evidence must be presented in a way that is acceptable in a court of law. Using a DNA barcoding approach based on DNA sequences from the CO1 gene, we were able to show within the one day that the animal skin was actually the skin of a cow (Bos indicus) that had been altered to appear as a tiger skin. Although DNA barcoding is not a novel application of a method for species identification, the rapid turnaround time needed to obtain conclusive results in such cases is an important factor that brings novelty to this method in forensic investigations. Using this DNA based analysis, a case statement was prepared for the identified confiscated skin. Ultimately, the investigating authority requested withdrawal of the case from consideration under the wildlife protection act. Keywords: DNA barcoding, Forensic identification, Rapid species identification, Court of law