Forensic investigations can be aided by association of biological material from animals, plants, or microbes to a victim or suspect. For example, domestic animals such as cats and dogs live in human habitats and may deposit hair that can be used to associate a suspect with a particular crime scene or victim. Thus, efforts are underway to improve genetic marker systems and assays for cat and dog DNA. Sources of marijuana may also be linked through the power of DNA testing. 

Entomological evidence also can be used to investigate crimes. For example, insects found on a homicide victim can help determine time of death. 

From the the National Biological Information Infrastructure, you can learn about the application of forensic DNA in agriculture (e.g., in the investigation of illegal trade of plants and animals),

From research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice

Current projects:

DNA-based Identification of Forensically Important Diptera
University of Cincinnati
Award Number: 2005-MU-BX-K102

Generating More Precise Postmortem Interval Estimates with Entomological Evidence: Reliable Patterns of Gene Expression Throughout Calliphorid Larval and Pupal Development
Michigan State University
Award Number: 2004-DN-BX-K005

Mitochondrial DNA Reference Database for the Domestic Dog
The George Washington University
Award Number: 2004-DN-BX-K004

The Development and Validation of a Standardized Canine STR Panel for Use in Forensic Casework
Regents of the University of California
Award Number: 2004-DN-BX-K007

Recently closed

Plant DNA Typing by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism
University of New Haven
Award Number: 2001-IJ-CX-K011
Final Report (pdf)

Development of a PCR-Based Forensic Typing System for Genetic Individualization of Domestic Cats
Laboratory for Genomic Research, National Cancer Institute
1999-IJ-CX-A079

From research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice

Real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of canine DNA.
Evans JJ, Wictum EJ, Penedo MC, Kanthaswamy S.
J Forensic Sci. 2007 Jan;52(1):93-6.
View Pub Med Entry
Grant number: 2004-DN-BX-K007

Components of developmental plasticity in a Michigan population of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae).
Tarone AM, Foran DR.
J Med Entomol. 2006 Sep;43(5):1023-33.
View Pub Med Entry
Grant number: 2004-DN-BX-K005

An STR forensic typing system for genetic individualization of domestic cat (Felis catus) samples
Menotti-Raymond MA, David VA, Wachter LL, Butler JM, O'Brien SJ
J Forensic Sci. 2005 Sep;50(5):1061-1070.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-CX-A079
 
Mitochondrial DNA and STR analyses of maggot crop contents: effect of specimen preservation technique.
Linville JG, Hayes J, Wells JD.
J Forensic Sci. 2004 Mar;49(2):341-4.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-CX-0034
 
An overview of DNA methods for the identification and individualization of marijuana
Coyle HM, Palmbach T, Juliano N, Ladd C, Lee HC
Croatian Medical Journal 2003 44(3):315-321
Grant number: 2001-IJ-CX-K011
 
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based assay for estimating DNA yield extracted from domestic cat specimens.
Menotti-Raymond M, David V, Wachter L, Yuhki N, O'Brien SJ.
Croat Med J. 2003 Jun;44(3):327-31.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-CX-A079
 
DNA-based identification and molecular systematics of forensically important Sarcophagidae (Diptera).
Wells JD, Pape T, Sperling FA.
J Forensic Sci. 2001 Sep;46(5):1098-102.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-CX-0034, 1997-IJ-CX-0035
 
Human and insect mitochondrial DNA analysis from maggots.
Wells JD, Introna F Jr, Di Vella G, Campobasso CP, Hayes J, Sperling FA.
J Forensic Sci. 2001 May;46(3):685-7.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-CX-0034, 1997-IJ-CX-0035
 
DNA-based identification of forensically important Chrysomyinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae).
Wells JD, Sperling FA.
Forensic Sci Int. 2001 Aug 15;120(1-2):110-5.
Grant number: 1999-IJ-CX-0034, 1997-IJ-CX-0035