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Journal of Forensic Research

ISSN: 2157-7145

Open Access

Volume 13, Issue 3 (2022)

Research Article Pages: 1 - 7

Cranio-morphometric Study of Asiatic Big Cats for Forensic Identification

Dinesh Kumar Jha*, Raju Panday, Nirajan Thapa Kshetry, Anshu Upadhayay and Nanda Kumar Aryal

Objective: Asiatic big cat skulls often appear in illegal trade. These species are protected under national and international law so an effective prosecution requires reliable species level identification. Morphometric based identification has reasonable advantages over DNA-based techniques.

Methods: In the current study, a range of morphological features and 29 metric variables from 25 skulls of tiger, Asiatic lion, common leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard were investigated.

Results: Among studied parameters, overall skull profile, skull index, nasal profile, sagittal crest and forehead features, ratio of maxilla and nasal suture were found to be the key factor for species differentiation. Based on findings, a simple flowchart was developed. Depending on the nature of confiscated material, suggested identification landmarks can be used as preliminary or confirmatory tool by wildlife forensic community as well as concerned field-based authorities.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that cranio-morphometric features are quite effective for discriminating Asiatic big cat skulls.

Editorial Pages: 1 - 1

An Overview of Forensic Photography

Subhasini Dash*

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Commentary Pages: 1 - 1

An Overview of Forensic Engineering

Adarsh Sharma*

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Editorial Pages: 1 - 1

Forensic Biology: An Overview

Subhasini Dash*

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Perspective Pages: 1 - 1

Forensic Chemistry: An Overview

Pratibha Rani Dash*

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Google Scholar citation report
Citations: 1817

Journal of Forensic Research received 1817 citations as per Google Scholar report

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