title: Forensic DNA against wildlife poaching: identification of a serial wolf killing in Italy.
abstract: The recent expansion of the Italian wolf population through the Apennine and western Alps, after centuries of contractions, is causing conflicts with human activities leading to a rise in poaching or illegal killings. Here we show how molecular population genetics has been used to identify a suspect serial wolf killer. We analysed DNA extracted from a necklace made of ten presumed wolf canine teeth, confiscated in 2008 to a man living in the northern Italian Apennine (Liguria Region). Individual genotypes were determined using 12 unlinked autosomal microsatellites (STRs), mtDNA control-region sequences, a male-specific ZFX/ZFY restriction-site and three Y-linked STRs. Results indicate that the teeth belonged to six different individuals (three males and three females), which were assigned to the Italian wolf population with p > 0.90 by Bayesian procedures. One of these genotypes matched with the genetic profile of a male wolf previously found-dead and already non-invasively sampled in the same area. Another genotype matched with that of a female wolf non-invasively sampled twice in the same area 1 year before. These data are being used as forensic genetic evidence in the ongoing criminal trial against the suspect serial wolf killer.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Laboratory of Genetics, Via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy. romolo.caniglia@gmail.com
authors.forename: Romolo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caniglia
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galaverni
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Randi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D053803:Forensic Genetics; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D019596:Wolves / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004247:DNA