Could cat evidence be used to imprison people in the future? (Getty)
One day, the detectives are able to gather the suspects in the living room and reveal their key piece of evidence: the family cat.
New research from Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia, has shown that human DNA can be carried and transferred by animals such as cats and dogs.
This means, in theory, that detectives could use DNA carried on the skin of a dog or cat as evidence that a person has been near the animal.
It’s also possible that cats can accidentally transfer human DNA to crime scenes — potentially key evidence in criminal investigations, researchers believe.
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In collaboration with the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, forensic science researchers Heidi Monkman and Dr Mariya Goray from the Flinders Faculty of Science and Engineering collected human DNA from 20 pet cats from various homes
Detectable levels of DNA were found in 80% of the samples.
In 70% of the cats tested, interpretable profiles were generated that could be linked to a person of interest.
“The collection of human DNA should be very important in crime scene investigations, but there is a lack of data on companion animals such as cats and dogs in their relationship to the transfer of human DNA” , says Monkman.
“These companion animals can be very relevant in assessing the presence and activities of the inhabitants of the home, or any recent visitors to the scene.”
Experienced crime scene investigator Dr. Goray, an expert in DNA transfer, says this data can be very relevant when interpreting forensic DNA results obtained from a crime scene that includes pets.
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“This type of data can help us understand the meaning of the DNA results obtained, especially if there is a match with a person of interest.
“Are these DNA findings the result of criminal activity or could they have been transferred and deposited at the crime scene by a pet?”
The story continues
The researchers say: “Further research is required on the transfer, persistence and prevalence of human DNA to and from cats and other companion animals and the influences of the animals’ behavioral habits, shedding status of Owners DNA and many other relevant factors.
To this end, collaborative work is currently underway on cats and dogs in the forensic laboratory at Flinders University.
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