Fido Turns State: Animal DNA Helps Cops Solve Crimes

CSI isn't just about people any more: forensic scientists are increasingly turning to DNA technologies to crack crimes involving animals. Often these are garden-variety, who-bit-Muffin cases, but not always:

In one case, the lab used DNA testing to match dog excrement found on the bottom of a murder suspect's shoe to excrement found near the crime scene - a piece of evidence that helped secure the man's conviction.

In another case, a sexual assault victim couldn't pick her attacker out of a lineup - but she remembered her dog had urinated on the man's pickup truck. The dog's DNA matched DNA traces found on the truck's tire and the suspect pleaded guilty.

Animal CSIs Take a Bite Out of Crime [Associated Press]