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Wildlife Forensics Method- Collection of Known Samples 

from Live Animals (domestic)

Wildlife Forensic Biology

Biology

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science
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OSAC Proposed Standard

Wildlife Forensics Method- Collection of Known Samples 

from Live Animals (domestic)

Prepared by 

Wildlife Forensic Biology

Version: 1.0

November 2020

Disclaimer:

This document has been developed by the Wildlife Forensic Biology subcommittee of the 

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science through a consensus 

process and proposed for further development through a Standard Developing Organization 

(SDO). This document is being made available so that the forensic science community and 

interested parties can consider the recommendations of the OSAC pertaining to applicable 

forensic science practices. The document was developed with input from experts in a broad 

array of forensic science disciplines as well as scientific research, measurement science, 

statistics, law, and policy. 

This document has not been published by a SDO. Its contents are subject to change during the 

standards development process. All interested groups or individuals are strongly encouraged to 

submit comments on this proposed document during the open comment period administered by 

the AAFS ASB http://www.asbstandardsboard.org/notice-of-standard-development-andcoordination/. 
Wildlife Forensic Method- Collection of known samples from Live Animals (domestic) 001, Updated, 2020

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3 Wildlife Forensics Method- Collection of Known Samples 

4 from Live Animals (domestic)

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6 Foreword

7 This document addresses the particular need in the domestic animal forensic science 

8 community for a defined sampling protocol for genetic known evidence samples for 

9 individual matching or parentage comparison purposes from dog, cat, and livestock. 

10 This document provides methods for investigators to facilitate consistent sampling of 

11 domestic animals. 

12 This method document was developed and reviewed by the OSAC Wildlife 

13 Subcommittee and presented to the Biology Subject Area Committee for movement 

14 through the American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ Academy Standards Board. 

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38 Keywords: sample collection, DNA sample, individual matching, parentage, domestic animal, dog, 

39 cat, horse, cattle, livestock recommendations
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41 1 Scope

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43 Wildlife Forensics Method- Collection of 

44 Known Samples from Live Animals 

45 (domestic)

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47 This standard provides the protocol for obtaining genetic known evidence samples (buccal swabs and pulled 

48 hair) for the purpose of individual matching or parentage comparison from live domestic animals such as 

49 dogs, cats, or livestock. This standard does not address sampling of non-domesticated animals. 

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52 2 Normative Reference 

53 N/A

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55 3 Terms and Definitions

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57 3.1 

58 Buccal swab 

59 A cotton swab or similar collection substrate; used in a relatively non-invasive sample collection 

60 technique for scraping the inside of a mouth to collect cells from the inner cheek lining; this is a 

61 common method for collecting and preserving samples for DNA testing from known individuals. 

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63 3.2

64 Genetic known evidence samples 

65 Biological material for which the identity of the donor is established and used for individual matching 

66 or parentage comparison purposes. 

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68 3.3

69 Individual matching 

70 An individual match refers to genetic profiles that have the same alleles at all loci tested in common; a 

71 match statement does not confirm that an individual is the source of the DNA. 

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73 3.4

74 Livestock 

75 Domestic animals raised in an agricultural setting, including horses, cattle, and pigs. 

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77 3.5

78 Nuclear DNA 

79 The DNA contained within a nucleus of eukaryotic organisms comprising the majority of the genome. 

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82 Parentage 

83 Comparison of genetic profiles of two or more individuals to evaluate for a parent/offspring 

84 relationship. 
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86 4 Requirements 

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88 4.1 General 

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90 4.1.1 All genetic known evidence samples submitted shall contain a sample identifier (for example, 

91 name), and an agency case number. 

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93 4.2 Buccal swabs 

94 4.2.1 Buccal swabs are the preferred sample type for domestic cat and dog genetic known evidence 

95 samples. Buccal swabs should be sterile. 

96 4.2.2 Preparing to sample 

97 a) Sample one animal at a time. If there is more than one animal to be sampled, 

98 complete the process for one animal before sampling the next and then change 

99 gloves (if gloves are worn) or clean hands (if gloves are not worn).

100 b) Use at least 2 buccal swabs to collect cheek cells from each animal. These are 

101 intended to be replicate samples. 

102 c) Before collecting the sample, the dog or cat should not have nursed or had anything 

103 to eat or drink recently (for example, 15 minutes for dogs, 30 minutes for cats). 

104 d) Prepare a paper envelope (or equivalent) for each animal being sampled, by 

105 labeling it with the name or identification of the animal being sampled. 

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107 NOTE: Other packaging options can be appropriate as long as collected samples are stored in a way that 

108 minimizes mold and bacterial growth and sample degradation. 

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110 4.2.3 Taking the sample 

111 a) Open the swab packaging and remove the swab by its handle. 

112 b) Place head of the swab against the inside of the cheek and gums, and swirl/wipe vigorously 8 

113 – 10 times. 

114 c) Place the swabs in the labeled envelope (or equivalent). Seal the envelope and sign and date 

115 the seal. 

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117 4.2.4 Prior to processing, store swabs at room temperature for the short term (i.e. days to weeks); 

118 freeze them for long term (i.e. months to years) storage. 

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120 4.3 Pulled hair 

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123 4.3.1 Pulled hair is the preferred sample type for livestock. Nuclear DNA is only present in high 

124 quantities in the root of the hair so cutting the hair is not acceptable since no root is obtained. 

125 4.3.2 Preparing to sample 

126 a) Sample one animal at a time. If there is more than one animal to be sampled, complete the 

127 process for one animal before sampling the next and then change gloves (if gloves are worn) 

128 or clean hands (if gloves are not worn) and clean pliers (if using). 

129 b) Prepare a paper envelope (or equivalent) for each animal being sampled, by labeling it with 

130 the name or identification of the animal being sampled. 

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132 NOTE: Other packaging options can be appropriate as long as collected samples are stored in a way that 

133 minimizes mold and bacterial growth and sample degradation. 

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135 4.3.3 Taking the sample 

136 a) Pull thick hairs such as hairs from the mane or tail. The area on the animal from which hairs 

137 are pulled should be dry and should not contain excess dirt or debris. Brush the area if 

138 necessary to remove dirt and debris. 

139 b) Use fingers or pliers to grasp hair close to the skin and pull approximately 10 hairs at once 

140 (do not cut). Repeat this until 20-30 hairs with roots have been obtained. 

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142 NOTE: For pigs, which have very thick hairs, 5-10 hairs with roots is sufficient. 

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144 c) Place the hairs in the labeled paper envelope (or equivalent). Seal the labeled paper envelope, 

145 and then sign and date the seal. 

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147 4.3.4 Prior to processing, store hair at room temperature for the short term (i.e. days to weeks); freeze 

148 it for long term (i.e. months to years) storage. 

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172 Annex A

173 (informative)

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175 Bibliography

176 1] Chang ML, Terrill RL, Bautista MM, Carlson EJ, Dyer DJ, Overall KL, Hamilton SP. Large-scale 

177 SNP genotyping with canine buccal swab DNA. J Hered. 2007;98(5):428-37. 

178 2] Deedrick DW, Koch SL. Microscopy of Hair Part II: A Practical Guide and Manual for Animal 

179 Hairs, Forensic Science Communications, July 2004, Vol 6 Number 3. 

180 3] Mitsouras K, Faulhaber EA. Saliva as an alternative source of high yield canine genomic DNA for 

181 genotyping studies. BMC Res Notes. 2009 Oct 29;2:219. 

182 4] Pfeiffer I, Volkel I, Taubert H, Brenig B. Forensic DNA-typing of dog hair: DNA-extraction and 

183 PCR amplification. For Sci Int, 2004. 141:149-151. 

184 5] Natonek-Wiśniewska M, Krzyścin P. Evaluation of the suitability of mitochondrial DNA for 

185 species identification of microtraces and forensic traces. Acta Biochim Pol. 2017;64(4):705-

186 708. 

187 6] Oberbauer AM, Grossman DI, Eggleston ML, Irion DN, Schaffer AL, Pedersen NC, Belanger JM. 

188 Alternatives to blood as a source of DNA for large-scale scanning studies of canine genome 

189 linkages. Vet Res Commun. 2003 Jan; 27(1):27-38. 

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