6 June :A new method to identify dead animals from their remains is yielding positive results with wildlife forensic experts solving 300 such cases across the country.The method developed by the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) involves a quick DNA analysis.
The technique known as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) has helped in solving 300 dead animals, a senior scientist at the CCMB said."It can be cooked meat, hair, piece of skin or bone, nail and blood smear which has DNA it can help us to identify the animal that has been killed. One single primer – polymerase chain reaction is enough to tell us about the animal," Dr S Shivaji said.
Earlier the only option that wildlife enforcement agencies had was DNA finger printing to identify dead animals from available samples which was both time consuming and needed expertise to execute.
"The test can be performed in a simple molecular biology laboratory and does not need any expert. Anyone can be trained to perform the test. Unlike DNA finger printing which requires comparison with standard sample, it can be a stand-alone exercise with accurate results," he said.Already patented, the method was developed by CCMB director Dr Lalji Singh and his students.