"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
6 Nov 2023
Analyzing cat hair has become a powerful tool in catching criminals, thanks to a new method developed by researchers at the University of Leicester. The innovative DNA analysis technique focuses on the unique DNA mutations found in cat hair, providing a sure-fire way to link criminals to crime scenes or their homes.
The study, published in Forensic Science International, reveals that almost every cat has a rare DNA type, making it highly informative for forensic investigations. While human DNA may not always be available for testing in criminal cases, pet hair, especially from cats, can serve as valuable linking evidence.
Lead author Emily Patterson, a Leicester Ph.D. student, explains that cat hair lacks the hair root necessary for traditional DNA analysis. However, the team at the University of Leicester has significantly increased the detail with which they can analyze mitochondrial DNA, which is passed from mothers to their offspring and shared among maternally related cats.
The researchers successfully tested the method in a lost cat case, where they matched DNA from the skeletal remains of a missing female cat with hair from her surviving male offspring. This breakthrough has already been used in a murder case, where it identified the DNA of the perpetrator's cat.
With this new method, the analysis of cat hair has become an invaluable tool in the fight against crime, providing a promising avenue for forensic scientists and law enforcement agencies.
