Sydney, July 30: Scientists have discovered that injury dressings found in first-aid kits can be used to identify shark species involved in bite incidents by using medical gauze to gather DNA samples from aquatic equipment, such as surfboards.
Research conducted by Flinders University has shown that this new method can significantly enhance the investigation of shark-related incidents.
This approach provides accurate and timely information about shark species using regular first-aid equipment carried by surfers, boaters, and emergency responders.
The study, published in the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics, involved researchers from Flinders University, the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
It is based on three separate shark incidents where samples were collected from surf skis and a surfboard.
Using the PCR testing method popularized by COVID-19, the researchers demonstrated that a similar technique using medical gauze to collect organic tissue and DNA samples from shark bites is highly effective.
They successfully identified the shark species responsible for each bite in three separate incidents in Australia and South Africa, including one example over a month after the incident.
The researchers also compared the effectiveness of ordinary gauze with specialized forensic swabs typically used to collect genetic material from shark bite materials.
They found that both the gauze and swabs worked well in identifying shark species.
Dr. Belinda Martin, the study’s lead author from Flinders University’s College of Science & Engineering, emphasized the importance of rapid shark species identification in producing accurate information that can guide future prevention measures and reduce shark incidents.
“Human-shark interactions cause public anxiety, especially following fatal bites, so identifying the species involved, although difficult, is essential to provide information to victims and communities but eye-witness accounts aren’t always accurate because people are dealing with trauma after the event, so we’ve tested and validated a new approach to collect DNA using regular gauze found in first-aid kits,” Dr. Martin said.
“This approach is important in providing a new DNA collection technique and will be of interest to first responders, including surfers, lifesavers, police, and paramedics, as well as the wider community.”
Co-author Dr. Michael Doane at Flinders University noted that the testing method could provide samples hours to days following a shark bite, which can be used to reliably identify the species.
“Moving forward, we recommend that first responders take samples for genetic analysis using sterile gauze from the bite site as soon as reasonable to limit contamination or DNA loss and increase the probability of the species being identified,” Dr. Doane said.
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