Dog attack: the application of canine DNA profiling in forensic casework

More than 100,000 dog attacks occur each year in Australia and many go unsolved. Dog attacks are not only a cause of human injury but may also involve injury and death to family pets, prized livestock and wildlife. Canine biological evidence can often be left behind on a victim or at the scene of an attack. Our laboratory provides canine DNA profiling for forensic investigations, utilising an in-house panel of 11 canine-specific autosomal short tandem repeat markers previously validated for use in casework. Case studies will be presented that outline methods for sampling of suspected canine biological evidence, profiling of canine DNA, statistical analysis, case outcomes and challenges for investigators.