Law enforcement officials in Orange County, California, say they will start using DNA from pets and other animals as forensic evidence in criminal investigations. County authorities plan to cooperate on investigations with the Serological Research Institute in Richmond.   That would make it the first local law enforcement agency in the country to make animal DNA a primary source of evidence.

Everybody who has animals knows that you are forever getting their hair on your clothing, so you can imagine how powerful this type of analysis may prove to be. Using animal evidence has been rare because few crime labs have accreditation for testing animals, but it’s already helped solve some crimes: (more…)