Application of molecular markers in wildlife DNA forensic investigations

Abstract

Wildlife DNA Forensic is the application of regular DNA forensic methods for proper identification of wildlife parts and their products. Recent advances in molecular genetic studies have generated a new and exciting range of possible applications of genetic methods to wildlife research, conservation, and management. These advances have led to an explosion in genetic research on wildlife for their identification at molecular level and have increased interest among researchers working in other scientific disciplines for application of genetic technology in wildlife DNA forensic field. Different molecular markers have been developed and being routinely used for analysis, such as nuclear markers (variable number of tandem repeats, single-nucleotide polymorphisms), mitochondrial markers (cytochrome b, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, and D-Loop) and microsatellites. As soon as, a case is reported under Wildlife Protection Act (1972) the case exhibits are sent to forensic laboratories for proper analysis of species for appropriate application of law.

Keywords

• Genetic techniques
• Microsatellites
• Mitochondrial markers
• Nuclear markers
• Wildlife DNA Forensic
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972