A review: Forensic DNA technology to meet the stock theft challenges in South Africa

摘要: Stock theft, one of South Africa’s most persistent crimes, is the factors that pose a serious threat to food security and biosecurity. It impacts negatively on animal production in Africa represents risk health programs, affecting both commercial sector emerging farmers. Rural farmers, with no or limited resources, are often more severely affected due impact it has their livelihood. Nationally, 377 114 animals (cattle, goats sheep) value than R1 billion were reported stolen between 2006 2010. A major obstacle, central prosecution stock thieves, positive identification proof ownership livestock. Conventional methods such as brandmarking ear-tagging, although serving deterrent, can easily be altered also not individual specific. DNA, however, an irrefutable means individual, used trace lawful owner presence reference sample. DNA profiling exhibits originate from forensic theft cases routinely link suspects either crime scene itself. huge challenge, however forensics nature samples submitted for analysis. Samples aged degraded, resulting compromised efficiency using cases. This paper aimed at reviewing use technology tool address challenge constraints associated analyses samples. Short tandem repeat (STR) markers commonly Developments molecular genetics suggest single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) potential forensics.