history
The Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory provides
DNA forensic evidence for provincial, federal, international, and
non-government agencies. Originally established in 1989 at Queen's
University by Dr. Bradley White, the facility was moved to McMaster
University in 1991 and then to Trent University in 1997.
In 1991, the laboratory produced the first DNA evidence involving a wildlife infraction to be accepted into a North American court. Since then the lab has processed over 1000 forensic cases involving moose, white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, walleye and rainbow trout. DNA analysis has provided evidence for convictions with fines ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 per case. The primary purpose of the Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory is for the benefit of wildlife management and, as such, it is a non-profit organization.
Fish and Wildlife DNA profiling is done from collected samples such as blood, hair, bone, tissue, antler and fish scales. The laboratory offers the following services:
In 1991, the laboratory produced the first DNA evidence involving a wildlife infraction to be accepted into a North American court. Since then the lab has processed over 1000 forensic cases involving moose, white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, walleye and rainbow trout. DNA analysis has provided evidence for convictions with fines ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 per case. The primary purpose of the Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory is for the benefit of wildlife management and, as such, it is a non-profit organization.
Fish and Wildlife DNA profiling is done from collected samples such as blood, hair, bone, tissue, antler and fish scales. The laboratory offers the following services:
- The use of STR genotyping in individual identification and parentage analysis.
- The use of mitochondrial DNA markers for species identification.
- The identification of mixed game animal tissue with domestic animal tissue.
- The sex identification of ungulates, and population identification.