RFLP and sequence analysis of the cytochrome b gene of selected animals and man: methodology and forensic application

To identify common animal species by analysis of the cytochrome b gene a method has been developed to obtain PCR products of a large domain of the cytochrome b gene (981 bp out of 1140 bp) in humans, selected mammals and birds using the same specifically designed primers. Species-specific RFLP patterns are generated by co-restriction with the restriction endonucleases ALU I and NCO I. The RFLP patterns obtained are conclusive even in mixtures of two or more species. The results were confirmed by sequence analysis which in addition explained intraspecies variations in the RFLP patterns. The method has been applied to forensic casework studies where the origin of roasted meat, stomach contents and a bone sample has been successfully identified.