DNA ‘fingerprint’ technology to help rural police nab stock rustlers
A biosecurity lab in Sydney’s southwest have developed technology that can now match stolen cows to their parents with 99.9 per cent accuracy in a huge blow to stock rustlers.
NSW
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EXCLUSIVE: The victims only have hoofs but police are confident cheap new animal DNA “fingerprint” testing will allow them to round up cattle rustlers.
A biosecurity lab in southwest Sydney has perfected technology to match cows to their parents with greater than 99.9 per cent accuracy. Previously police wanting to DNA test animals had to send samples off to the USA or New Zealand.
The Menangle lab is already being used in criminal cases.
In the midst of one of the worst droughts in recorded history, so far this year $586,320 worth of cattle and $1,105,035 worth of sheep have been stolen from NSW graziers in 169 separate cases.
Testing the DNA samples at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute is not only quicker and cheaper than sending samples overseas but it’s also easier for lab technicians to give expert testimony before the court.
Police can collect tail hairs or small ear biopsies from a cow suspected of being stolen and test its family lineage against similar samples from possible dams (mothers) or sires (fathers). The NSW Department of Primary Industries scientists that run the biosecurity lab can tell with “astronomically high” probability whether the animals are related by analysing 200 DNA markers in the cattle genome.
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“Identification of cattle has been a big issue for us because we’ve been reliant on descriptions of cattle and their ear tags, which weren’t designed for stock theft purposes, but now we can get irrefutable identification of animals before the court,” NSW Police State Rural Crime Co-ordinator Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside said.
“DNA tests will become a normal part of the rural crime scene examination kit bag.”
NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall will shop around the DNA “fingerprinting” service to interstate police forces.
“DNA evidence is an invaluable tool for law enforcement agencies in their efforts to prevent and prosecute livestock theft,” Mr Marshall said.
“Less theft means more money in the pockets of our producers.
“This type of innovative science is why the NSW Department of Primary Industries is ranked in the top one per cent of global agricultural research organisations.”
Originally published as DNA ‘fingerprint’ technology to help rural police nab stock rustlers
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