Law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom may soon have a new tool for solving crimes through the analysis of canine DNA, according to researchers from King’s College London and the Royal Veterinary College. The scientists are developing a database of dog genetic profiles aimed at identifying canine material found at crime scenes, which could also connect suspects to criminal activity.
Canine DNA — including hair, saliva, and skin cells — is often present at crime scenes or on individuals involved in investigations, but it has not always been fully examined. Experts say that such evidence could provide valuable insights, ranging from identifying a specific dog involved in a crime to establishing a link between a suspect and the location where an offense occurred.
Professor Denise Syndercombe Court, a forensic genetics expert leading the project, explained that since many people live closely with dogs, detecting canine DNA could be particularly helpful in cases involving humans, such as kidnappings, where other forensic evidence is scarce.
The team has focused on using short tandem repeats (STRs), small segments in DNA that vary between individuals, to create unique genetic profiles. By analyzing STR patterns, they have compiled a database covering 80 dog breeds commonly found in the UK, including labradors, cocker spaniels, and miniature schnauzers. For each of the top 10 breeds, samples were obtained from at least 50 dogs.
This database allows forensic analysts to match canine DNA from crime scenes either to a specific dog or to identify the likely breed if the dog’s identity is unknown. This can be crucial when no samples are available from a potential canine suspect or when the DNA does not match dogs already suspected.
The researchers also plan to broaden their database to include banned breeds such as pitbull terriers and American XL bullies. Alongside STR analysis of nuclear DNA, the team has developed a separate database using mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited maternally and can be detected even in very small samples, though it offers less individual specificity.
The approach has already been applied in police investigations. In one instance, canine DNA helped clarify whether injuries to a man resulted from an assault or from a fall involving dogs in his care. Forensic analysis of the victim’s clothing revealed DNA from two different dogs consistent with the latter scenario. In another case, dog DNA collected from a sheep attack excluded certain dogs initially suspected, while helping identify the breed more likely responsible.
Dr. Nicholas Dawnay, a forensic expert at Liverpool John Moores University not involved in the project, emphasized the importance of research into canine DNA use in investigations and said that early breed identification could narrow suspect pools. However, he cautioned that limited funding for canine forensic work could hinder practical adoption by police, who face tight budget constraints.
As the work progresses, researchers hope to see canine DNA analysis become a more routine part of forensic investigations, augmenting traditional human DNA profiling and helping solve cases where canine evidence is present but previously underutilized.