Validation and database generation of 100 canine microsatellite profiles for crime and paternity testing

Almost two in five Australian households have dogs, subsequently, canine biological evidence is often part of the physical evidence found at crime scenes. The genetic analysis of canine biological material can provide valuable links between suspects, victims and crime scenes, aiding investigations. However, as canine DNA evidence has been underutilised in forensic casework, a validated Western Australian canine microsatellite database is non-existent. Therefore, by employing a commercial canine STR kit, a Western Australian canine population database can be created containing allele frequencies, thus permitting the statistical weighting of evidence. The generation of the database will enable reliable interpretation of canine biological evidence for forensic casework