'ForCyt' DNA database of wildlife species. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahlers, N.; Creecy, J.; Frankham, G.; Johnson, R.N.; Kotze, A.; Linacre, A.; McEwing, R.; Mwale, M.; Rovie-Ryan, J.J.; Sitam, F.; Webster, L.M.I.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 6(2017)
• Page Start: e466
• Page End: e468
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Mitochondrial DNA -- Wildlife forensics -- Wildlife crime -- Illegal wildlife trade -- Species identification -- Standardised reference database -- Quality control; Forensic genetics -- Periodicals; Forensic Genetics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2017.09.195
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1875-1768

Abstract

Abstract: Wildlife crime continues unabated contributing to the extinction or near extinction of many plant and animal species. Species identification is a key tool in the enforcement of national legislation. If no morphology exists, comparison of DNA sequences generated from a mitochondrial gene are compared to those on a reference database, commonly GenBank. Sequences up-loaded to GenBank are unregulated and can lead to uncertainty with the adequacy of this DNA sequence repository for identification in a forensic context. We propose the establishment of ForCyt as a fully-regulated database of species that are commonly encountered in forensic investigations. The establishment of ForCyt will allow confidence in future species identification; something that is an absolute requirement to ensure high quality forensic science.