Every single aspect is crucial as one might work with limited or even no additional material in forensic science. Of all the forms of evidence, body fluids including hair, blood and tissue samples offer valuable information in relation to a crime scene. Another interesting feature of forensic biology is species origin analysis, allowing tracing biological traces to find the source of a sample. Whatever the kind of species it pertains to; knowing the species probably is an apparatus to cracking a particular case. Understanding how species origin analysis is done and why it is useful in forensic cases is the focus of this blog post.

What Does the Species Origin Analysis Mean?

Species origin analysis is the medical examination of the biological background of a specimen, be it a human, an animal or plant. This analysis can be of great value when investigators come across samples at a scene and are unsure of their provenance. It enables the forensic scientists to rule out the options and give useful information as to the typicality of the evidence.

Some of the aspects which are useful in the identification of the species in the sample by the forensic scientists include DNA, proteins, or even certain chemicals to be able to identify the species of the given sample. This analysis is often used when there is animal attack, wildlife hunting, and body identification and even when a place has been contaminated with a suspect.

Species Origin Analysis – How does it Work?

Species origin analysis commonly includes isolating and identifying DNA from the organisms’ specimens. Here’s an overview of the steps involved:

Sample Collection: The process begins by first collecting, without spoiling, the biological sample from the crime scene. This could be a drop of blood, a piece of tissue or hair which are easy to lose in the bus. It is also important to ensure that contamination does not occur as any other DNA would complicate the analysis.

DNA Extraction: After that the sample is collected the DNA is isolated. When it comes to blood stains, tissues and hairs with roots, the scientists are capable of isolating DNA directly out of the cells. If we are testing an environmental sample such as soil or a plant tissue, DNA may be present in very low concentration.

Amplification of DNA: When the DNA is limited in quantity or if present, it is of poor quality, specialists make use of multiplicative PCR. This enables them to produce millions of copies of the DNA that would ease the analysis being made the next thing.

Genetic Marker Analysis: In performing a DNA analysis forensic scientists search for special patterns in the DNA. These markers are effective to particular species and enable the analyzer to differentiate between human, animal, or plant genetic matter. Those who are working as scientists can use the material to search for the match in the databases containing the profile of specific species.

Confirmation and Comparison: If a match is found the results are then further compared with standard species profiles. This assists in establishing the source of the sample in case one is needed in the analysis of a case.

Functions and Usages of Analysis of Origins of Species

Species origin analysis finds use in a plethora of applications concerning forensic science. Here are some of the most common uses:

1. Academic Research Related to Wildlife Crime, with an Emphasis on Poaching

Where the offences are related to the sale of animals, or poaching, the origin of the species can be effective. It would allow investigators to analyze a suspected animal part discovered during a crime scene investigation (like a tusk, skin, or bone,) to see if indeed it comes from a protected or an endangered species. This assists the authorities in monitoring instances of poaching and implementing laws that seek to protect the animals.

2. Animal Attack Cases

Sometimes a criminal suspect may have photographs of their attack on a human being or their enemies’ animals. But if the identification cannot be made based on some distinctive feature, species origin analysis can be of aid. For instance, if one was bitten by a dog, then one could take samples such as skin abrasions and tear or body fluids including hair or saliva and from the scene to determine the breed or species.

3. Identification of the Victims in Mass disasters or Decomposition Cases

When a body is too decomposed or mutilated it is registered that species origin analysis assists in decision making of whether the remains are of human or of another species. This can be important in incidents like in the event of an aviation crash, fire or any other disaster that requires the identification of the dead. In the same manner, when human bones are combined with animal remains, the forensic experts can sort them out by its species origin analysis.

4. Contamination Detection

In criminal investigations further, species origin analysis service can be also applied to look for contamination. For example, if in the process of investigation there were the exchange of biological products: blood or hair, in relation to the crime scene, it can be concluded that the given sample belongs to the victim, the suspected guilty or is of animal origin. This assists in confirming the genuineness of certain evidence, and creates links between the crime scene and the people concerned.

Why is Species Origin Analysis important?

Species origin analysis has some benefits in forensic science and mainly in criminal investigation. Here’s why it’s important:

Helps Identify and Link Suspects: In forensic sciences, this could be hair or even a saliva, the suspect can be linked to the crime scene. For instance, animal hair which could be gotten at the scene of the crime may be that of a suspect’s pet hence pointing strongly to the pet as the perpetrator of the crime.

Supports Wildlife Conservation Efforts: Regarding criminal investigations, species origin analysis helps to defend endangered species through the identification of parts of animals in trade or poaching. This makes it easy for the authorities to set and implement tighter measures, and counteract negative occurrences.

Provides Crucial Evidence in Uncertain Cases: In some cases, the source of biological evidence is not well defined, especially where the sample is contaminated or there is a blend of substances. These uncertainties can be addressed and clarified by species origin analysis in the course of the investigation.

Problems with Analysis of Species Origin

While species origin analysis is a powerful tool, there are some challenges forensic scientists face:

Sample Degradation: The primary source of DNA is tissues, blood, saliva and other biological samples; however exposure to environmental conditions for some time will have a detrimental effect, and thus, immobilization of the DNA sample will not be efficient enough for extraction. At times, DNA may be chopped or mixed with other substances and therefore impossible to determine anything from it.

Limited Species Databases: These forensic scientists use known species databases to compare the genetic indicators. However, these databases may not encompass every species, even small or little researched animals and species. This makes it difficult to find the unknown species in any area, forest or savannah, desert or meadow, mountain or valley.

Complexity in Mixed Samples: Thus, it gets somewhat complicated at times, especially when human and animal blood are both in equal proportion at the crime scene. The samples must be analyzed very well since forensic scientists can make mistakes in the process of identifying them.

Conclusion

Species origin analysis services are informative as a part of forensic science since the former offers valuable data concerning the origin of tissue samples. This analysis is very useful when it is used to point out the owner of the suspect’s pet or to investigate any illegitimate trade in any wildlife or even to establish the cause of death. However, there are several difficulties when it comes to species origin analysis and, still, new developments in forensic technologies do not cease to enhance the efficiency of the method in question.