Forensic application of a multiplex PCR system for the typing of pig STRs

The Animal Type Pig PCR Amplification kit (Biotype AG, Dresden, Germany), a multiplex PCR system that allows the simultaneous amplification of 11 tetrameric short tandem repeats (STRs) and an Amelogenin-like locus for individual identification and sexing of pig (sus scrofa), was employed in the investigation of an alleged case of veterinary malpractice. A veterinarian responsible for collecting random blood samples as part of the program for the serological surveillance of swine vesicular disease (SVD) was accused of having drawn multiple samples from a single sow. STR typing of serum left overs from SVD testing strongly supported the conclusion that all the questioned samples included DNA from the same animal.