Identification of horses by hair as trace evidence - case study

master's thesis

• Title (croatian): Identifikacija konja temeljem dlake kao materijalnog traga – prikaz slučaja
• Author: David Lurie
• Mentor: Krešimir Severin (mentor)
• Committee member: Snježana Kužir (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Dean Konjević (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Krešimir Severin (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2024-02, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Veterinary Medicine; Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Abstract

This thesis examines the practicality and dependability of utilizing equine hair as trace
evidence for the purpose of identifying specific horses. Aims of thesis to comprehend the scientific
principles underlying accurate forensic techniques in animal-related damages to the properties.
Specifically, it focuses on the structure and development of hair, as well as the distinctive
properties that enable the identification of various species. Furthermore, it explores the field of
molecular identification by utilizing DNA extracts to precisely identify species at the individual
level, employing specific STR markers. The investigation used a case study methodology to
identify the species involved in a car accident, based on morphological characteristics and
molecular techniques which helped finding the truth. This case study shows us the importance of
having a good understanding of these methods to uncover the truth in legal cases and the
advantages that it gives us for understanding what has happened.

Abstract (croatian)

Diplomski rad obrađuje praktičnost i pouzdanost korištenja konjske dlake kao traga u svrhu
vrsne ali i individulane identifikacije konja. Cilj diplomskog rada je razumijevanje znanstvenih
principa na osnovu kojih se temelji pouzadanost forenzičkih tehnika s ciljem identifikacije
počinitelja kod oštećenja imovine uzrokovanih životinjama. Konkretno, usmjeren je na spoznaje
o strukturi i razvoju dlake, kao i na karakteristična svojstva koja omogućuju identifikaciju različitih
vrsta. Nadalje, analizira područje molekularne identifikacije korištenjem DNK za preciznu
identifikaciju vrsta na individualnoj razini, koristeći specifične STR markere. Na primjeru iz
sudske prakse prikazana je istražni postupka u identifikaciji vrste i jedinke na temelju morfoloških
karakteristika i molekularnih tehnika za koju je postavljena sumnja na sudjelovale u prometnoj
nesreći. Analiza konkretnog slučaja pokazuje važnost dobrog razumijevanja primijenjenih metoda
kako bi se utvrdila materijalna istina i prednosti koje nam daje kod utvrđivanja okolnosti događaja.

• Keywords: equine; hair; evidence
• Keywords (croatian): konj; dlaka; dokazi
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:178:746280
• Study programme: Title: Veterinary Medicine; Study programme type: university; Study level: integrated undergraduate and graduate; Academic / professional title: doktor/doktorica veterinarske medicine (doktor/doktorica veterinarske medicine)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-02-27 13:38:01