Animal Print analysis

Animal Print Identification is an important part of an investigative process carried out during big cat investigations. UPIA & MAPIT offer assistance in regards such print identifications and also analysis of claw marks and scat finds. Forensic analysis is also available for hair samples. If you require assistance or need to find out information in regards the process of casting prints, please contact our Animal Scene Investigator by clicking on the available link. If you wish to send some form of evidence to us for analysis. Please read through our requirements.

Submitting your cast or photograph for analysis could not be any easier. No matter what type of track found. Simply follow the steps below...

When submitting a cast or photograph for analysis it is necessary to provide certain information such as:

  1. The exact location of the track.
  2. The weather conditions at the time the cast, photograph was carried out.
  3. Length and width of track.
  4. Length of stride (If Known).
  5. Other potential evidence, (dead animals, scat, audible recordings, video footage, photographs, claw marks, fur or hair samples etc).

Please provide any additional information that may assist us with our conclusion such as, witnesses to an event, other forms of evidence taken. It is important to provide a photograph with a scale reference and one without. Casts should never be placed in plastic bags... For enquires in regards this procedure contact our animal scene investigator:

Kirst D'Raven - Kirst_draven@yahoo.co.uk

Think about what kind of animals might be living in the location. This will help you narrow the field of identification. It's a pretty good bet that if you're looking in your backyard you'll find squirrel, bird, and maybe fox tracks. Four toes on each of the front and hind feet means you're more than likely looking at a track from a dog or fox; or the cat family (bobcat, lynx, domestic cat and possibly none native species).

Does the paw print have small triangular marks in front of it? If yes, those are claw marks. Foxes, and dogs will often leave claw marks. Cats, on the other hand, retract their claws when they walk but often leave claw marks when running or poucing.

Is the track made by a "hopper?" Squirrels leave interesting tracks. As they bound along, their larger hind feet land ahead of their smaller front feet. It looks like the front feet are side by side. Rabbit tracks look a little different. The hind feet still land ahead of the front feet, but the front feet are not found right next to each other.

In some cases, scratch marks can also be found in locations. Scratch marks must always be measured, such as the diameter (claw spread), depth and height from the ground. Casting prints can be done via use of modelling clay and soft miliput. Photography and video footage of scratches are important. Make sure to check the ground and tree/wood for discarded claws.

Any scat (poo) that is found, should be bagged and tagged for analysis. Remember to carefully check a location.