FORENSICS ON WILD ANIMALS - DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN OTTER AND PHEASANT BLOOD USING ELECTROPHORETIC METHODS

Electrophoretic techniques were used to prove illegal hunting of a pro tected species as small amounts of dried blood stains could be clearly identified as of otter origin. Species differentiation between the ot ter (Lutra lutra) and pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) was based mainly on small differences in electrophoretic mobilities of the respective a lbumins and hemoglobins in one-dimensional separations. Additional dif ferences in minor proteins of the two species were revealed by two-dim ensional electrophoresis. Electrophoresis thus also proved to be a val uable tool for forensic purposes.