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Forensic Database Biology Table
Biology Biometrics Chemistry/Toxicology Environmental Fire & Explosives Firearms & Toolmarks Questioned Documents
Technology/Digital Evidence Trace Evidence Other
Forensic Databases -- Biology
| Name | Sub- discipline | Maintained By | Overview & Contents | Access & Fees | Collection Methods | Evidence Type | POC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFSC Ichthyo-plankton Collection | Marine Biology | University of Washington's Ichthyology Collections - Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture | Reference collection of whole fish eggs and larvae collected during RACE RP surveys. Collection includes fish eggs and larvae. The entire UW Icthyology Collection contains over 140,000 samples. | There is free web access for information in the database through the URL. Requests for physical samples may be made to the POC. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Samples are collected at sea, processed at AFSC, and archived at UW. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Katherine Maslenikov Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture Collections Manager 206.543.3816 pearsonk [at] uw.edu (pearsonk@ uw.edu) |
| AFSC Tissue Sample Collection | Marine Biology | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -- NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center | Collection of preserved genetic tissues for multiple marine species. 1,500 samples are stored in ethanol. Information is also stored in an Excel database. | External users can contact the POC for access. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Samples are collected at sea during surveys. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Mike Canino NOAA – NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 206.526.4108 mike.canino [at] noaa.gov (mike.canino@ noaa.gov) |
| Anatomical Specimens | Anatomy, Skeletal Analysis, Osteology | Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command - Central Identification Laboratory | Human skeletal anatomical exemplars for comparative analysis. Approximately 1,000 human skeletal anatomical exemplars for comparative purposes. Photos and an electronic inventory are also available. | CIL staff have physical access to the collection. External users can write a request to the POC to access the collection. No cost to access; outside labs and agencies can write requests to the POC. | Samples obtained from anatomical supply companies and donations. | Digital records are available in the form of photographs and a Word document inventory; physical exemplars are kept at the lab. | Vince Sava Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command - Central Identification Laboratory Quality Coordinator 808.448.1746 vince.sava [at] jpac.pacom.mil (vince.sava@ jpac.pacom.mil) |
| Arctos | Multiple Organizations; the Steering Committee provides oversight. | A biodiversity multi-institution, multi-collection database containing records pointing to specimens in different collections maintained by partnering museums and institutions. Arctos serves as the collection management information system for its members and their collections. Over 1.38 million records including: vertebrates, invertebrates, parasites, vascular and non-vascular plants, many with images and extensive usage data. Some records may be specific anatomical features; others may be the entire specimen. Arctos also contains information on data collected in the field with a sample, collection transactions, sample locations, and audio and media images of specimen and collecting events. | Access through the URL; Search for specimens by collection, number, identification and taxonomy, locality, date/collector, biological individual, and usage. Search results will return the collection in which the matching physical samples are maintained. No cost or restriction to search the online database; once a specimen has been located, the user can contact the collection maintainer to inquire about access to the specimen. | Partnering museums are responsible for uploading, standardizing, and validating records about their collections that they want to be visible to the public. | Digital records for online search. Physical samples exist in the individual collections. | Carla Cicero, Ph.D. Staff Curator of Birds Museum of Vertebrate Zoology 3101 Valley Life Sciences Building University of California Berkeley, CA 94720-3160 510.642.7868 ccicero [at] berkeley.edu (ccicero@ berkeley.edu) | |
| Auke Bay Marine Station Biological Specimen Reference Collection | Marine Biology | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -- NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center | The database is a collection of species identification for biological materials archived or recorded in the Auke Bay Marine Station Biological Specimen Reference Collections. Collection includes reference samples of marine species stored in ethanol. | Metadata on reference samples can be found at URL listed. Reference samples and further data may be obtained by contacting the POC. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Emily Fergusson NOAA – NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 907.789.6613 emily.fergusson [at] noaa.gov (emily. fergusson@ noaa.gov) | |
| Authenti- cated Seafood Species Collection | DNA, Seafood | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -- National Seafood Inspection Laboratory | The collection is comprised of frozen muscle samples of various commercially important seafood species. The authenticated samples are used in analyses to verify the species labeling of seafood products. Intact seafood species samples (fish, shrimp, etc.); the genus and species of each sample is verified by a NOAA fishery biologist based on established morphologic characteristics. There are approximately 200 samples. | The collection is available to all federal and state agencies upon written request. Contact the POC. No cost to access; available to federal and state agencies. | Samples are obtained from NOAA research cruises or commercial vendors. | Physical samples. | Calvin Walker National Seafood Inspection Laboratory, NOAA 228.762.7402 calvin.walker [at] noaa.gov (calvin.walker@ noaa.gov) |
| Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) | DNA | Biodiversity Institute of Ontario/Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding - University of Guelph | Online database of searchable DNA sequences and other information for identification purposes of organisms. BOLD is a species identification tool that accepts DNA sequences from the barcode region and returns a taxonomic assignment to the species level when possible. DNA reference sequences from animals, plants, fungi, and protists. There are 1,820,406 specimen records, 1,352,219 specimens with barcodes, and 111,289 species with barcodes. | Access through the URL; Copy and paste the unknown sequence in fasta format into the web browser. The BOLD Identification System (IDS) accepts sequences from the 5' region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene and returns a species-level classification when one is possible. Users have the option of selecting which databases are searched. No cost to access. Some tools are available with no login information on screen, for other tools, researcher must request a free login information. | Records are pulled from the Canadian Centre, GenBank, and other sources. Some user submitted information is accepted too, but must follow a specimen data submission protocol. | Digital records and physical samples. | Chris Weland Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding Biodiversity Institute of Ontario - University of Guelph Forensic Analyst 519.824.4120 x 52669 cweland [at] uoguelph.ca (cweland@ uoguelph.ca) |
| Bering Sea Zoo- plankton Collection | Marine Biology | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -- NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center | The database contains the zooplankton information collected during the Bering-Aleutian Salmon International Surveys (BASIS survey). Collection includes physical samples and information stored in digital format. | Metadata on reference samples can be found at URL listed. Reference samples and further data may be obtained by contacting the POC. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Emily Fergusson NOAA – NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 907.789.6613 emily.fergusson [at] noaa.gov (emily. fergusson@ noaa.gov) | |
| Biological Oceano- graphic Database | Marine Biology | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -- NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center | Database including oceanographic data and samples collected off the US West Coast, in the Gulf of Alaska, in the Bering Sea, and north of the Bering sea. Database includes oceanography data. Physical samples held include zooplankton, microzooplankton, predators, chlorophyll and nutrients. Approximately 22,000 vials of larval fish and 5,000 vials of fish eggs are kept on site. Samples from previous years are archived at the University of Washington. | External users can contact the POC for access. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Samples are collected at sea during surveys. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Jeff Napp NOAA – NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 206.526.4148 jeff.napp [at] noaa.gov (jeff.napp@ noaa.gov) |
| DNA Surveillance (Witness for Whales) | DNA, Marine Biology | University of Auckland School of Biological Sciences, Population Genetics and Evolution Research Group | Online DNA database used for the identification of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). DNA reference sequences from cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). There are approximately 400 specimens for the control region and 300 for the cytochrome b. Sourcing information is available for each specimen. | Access through the URL; using DNA Surveillance is a two step process:1. Obtain nucleotide sequence from the mtDNA control region (5'end) OR mtDNA cytochrome b (5'end).2. Submit the sequence to the website by copy and paste and select the appropriate reference sequence dataset for comparison. An advanced cluster search option gives you the opportunity to perform a bootstrap analysis, while the maximum likelihood will perform more rigorous statistical analysis in placing the query sequence on the phylogenetic tree. Both the advanced cluster and maximum likelihood options will send you the results by email. No cost to access the online search. External users do not have access to the actual sequences, but can request access by looking up specimen sourcing information. | Sequences are obtained from stranded animals, osteological data from museums, and biopsy samples of live animals. The DNA sequences are then generated in the maintainer's lab. All samples are validated in the field by experts, and diagnostic skeletal or photographic records are kept. | Digital records. Physical records may or may not be available depending on the specimen (check with the sourcing information). | (Use the subject header "DNA Surveillance" for email) Scott Baker Hatfield Marine Science Center Oregon State University 2030 SE Marine Science Drive Newport OR 97365, USA 541.867.0255 scott.baker [at] oregonstate.edu (scott.baker@ oregonstate.edu) |
| Forensic Anthro- pology Data Bank (FDB) | Anatomy, Skeletal Analysis, Osteology | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Collection of skeletal records obtained from contributors working in the field of forensics used for identification purposes. Database includes information from nearly 2,900 cases, including skeletal data on 1,731 positively identified individuals. Records include skeletal information as well as extensive demographic information, including place of birth, medical history, occupation, stature , and weight. | Request information by contacting the POC. The database is also available for Fordisc 3.0, so that up-to-date- ancestry, sex and stature estimation criteria are available in easy to use format. Data requests can be made by anyone for legitimate forensic reasons. | Measurements are submitted by contributors in the field of forensics. Standardized procedures for the collection of these measurements can be found in "Data Collection Procedures for Forensic Skeletal Material," a document published by the database maintainers. | Digital records. | Forensic Anthropology Center Department of Anthropology 250 South Stadium Hall Knoxville, TN USA 37996-0760 865.974.4408 R.L. Jantz |
| GenBank | DNA | NIH -- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) -- National Library of Medicine | GenBank is part of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration, which comprises the DNA DataBank of Japan (DDBJ), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and GenBank at NCBI. These three organizations exchange data on a daily basis. GenBank is a free web-based database with digital DNA strings. It contains whole genomes for numerous organisms, including human, as well as partial genomes for many others. GenBank is an open access, annotated collection of all publicly available nucleotide sequences and their protein translations. There are sequences for more than 100,000 distinct organisms; GenBank has approximately 126,551,501,141 bases in 135,440,924 sequence records. | There are several ways to search and retrieve data from GenBank through the website: •Search GenBank for sequence identifiers and annotations with Entrez Nucleotide, which is divided into three divisions: CoreNucleotide (the main collection), dbEST (Expressed Sequence Tags), and dbGSS (Genome Survey Sequences). •Search and align GenBank sequences to a query sequence using BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool). BLAST searches CoreNucleotide, dbEST, and dbGSS independently. •Search, link, and download sequences programmatically using NCBI e-utilities.No cost to access. | Contribution to GenBank is open source; however, the GenBank staff examines all submissions for quality assurance before releasing them to the public database. | Digital records. | GenBank National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine Bldg. 38A Rm. 8N-809 8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20894 301.496.2475 info [at] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (info@ ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) |
| Ichthyo-plankton Database | Marine Biology | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -- NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center | A reference collection of whole fish eggs and larvae. Collection includes 21,195 vials containing reference samples of fish eggs and larvae. | Database may be accessed through a loan request to TaxELH Project of the RP Program. Free. No specific restrictions on access, though it is accessed on a case-by-case basis. | Samples are collected at sea. | Physical samples. | Janet Duffy-Anderson NOAA – NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 206.526.6465 JanetDuffy-Anderson [at] noaa.gov (JanetDuffy-Anderson@ noaa.gov) |
| Larval and Age-0 Walleye Pollock GOA Otoliths Sample Database | Marine Biology | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -- NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center | Database including fish length, age, hatch date distributions, and catch data of Larval and Age-0 Walleye Pollock GOA Otoliths. 5,000 samples are stored, Data on samples consists of fish length, age, hatch date distributions, and catch data. | External users can contact the POC for access. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Samples are collected at sea during surveys. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Annette Dougherty NOAA – NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 206.526.6523 Annette.Dougherty [at] noaa.gov (Annette. Dougherty@ noaa.gov) |
| Marine Forensics Archive | Marine Biology | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) -- National Ocean Service - Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research | Voucher samples of marine organisms for: 1) comparison to unknown evidence samples and 2) research and development of new wildlife forensic methods. The collection contains approximately 18,000 samples, including: fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, a few invertebrates (lobster, shrimp, conch...), and a few terrestrial vertebrates (cow, pig, horse, goat, chicken, deer, moose). | Other researchers can access if time allows maintaining personnel to subsample and send out reference material and metadata. Requests for physical samples can be made by filling out an archive request form. No cost to access; available to other researchers and forensic investigators. | Collection has been ongoing opportunistically or in targeted spurts for 30+ years. Samples are contributed by research institutions and law enforcement agencies. Physical samples are entered into FreezerWorks, an electronic database, and then are stored in a secure location in the lab. | Digital records in FreezerWorks, an in-house database; physical samples kept in the lab. | Julie Carter, Archivist NOAA, National Ocean Service - Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research 843.762.8547 julie.carter [at] noaa.gov (julie.carter@ noaa.gov) |
| Marine Mammal Inventory Database (MMID) | Marine Biology | NOAA/NOS - Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research | Samples collected during necropsy of stranded marine mammals. Over 10,300 samples collected during necropsy of stranded marine mammals. | A requester can fill out forms and also request samples through NMFS SE regional coordinator. No cost to access. | Samples are collected from stranded marine mammals. Manpower and transport costs are associated with collection. | Digital records and physical samples. | Todd Niesen NOAA, National Ocean Service - Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research 843.762.8557 todd.niesen [at] noaa.gov (todd.niesen@ noaa.gov) Michael Henderson |
| National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) Collection | Marine Biology | NOAA, AFSC National Marine Mammal Laboratory | Variety of tissue samples from marine mammals in Alaska, including whiskers, blubber, muscle, blood, and skin. Also contains samples from marine mammal prey (squid, invertebrates, crustaceans, small fish). At least one sample for every marine mammal species in California, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. Also contains some samples from Russia. | Contact POC. Some samples may not be available if they are used in active research, or if there is not enough. Anyone with a legitimate cause can request samples. | Submitted by researchers upon return from field work. | Physical samples. | Dr. John Bengtson NOAA, Alaska Fisheries Science Center - National Marine Mammal Laboratory Division Director 206.526.4045 John.Bengtson [at] noaa.gov (John.Bengtson@ noaa.gov) |
| NIST - Marine Environ-mental Specimen Bank | Marine Biology | NIST - Hollings Marine Laboratory - Charleston, South Carolina | The Marine Environmental Specimen Bank cryogenically banks well-documented environmental specimens collected as part of other agency marine research and monitoring programs. Specimens include marine mammal tissues, mussels and oysters, fish tissues, seabird eggs, and peregrine falcon eggs and feathers. | Contributors include: NOAA's Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program and Mussel Watch Program, USFWS's Seabird Tissue Archival and Monitoring Project and American Peregrine Falcon Monitoring Plan. The Marine ESB also maintains specimens collected by past collaborating programs, including the National Status and Trends Program, the EPA's Mussel Watch Program, and the EXXON VALDEZ Damage Assessment Program. | Physical samples. | Rebecca S. Pugh NIST - Hollings Marine Laboratory 843.762.8952 rebecca.pugh [at] nist.gov (rebecca.pugh@ nist.gov) | |
| NIST - National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB) | Marine Biology | NIST - Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory - Gaithersburg, Maryland NIST - Hollings Marine Laboratory - Charleston, South Carolina | Collection of marine mammal samples stored at NIST's Gaithersburg campus as well as the Hollings Marine Laboratory. Specimens can be searched online and samples requested via a form. The NMMTB contains tissue samples of 1,137 marine mammals, including: dolphins, porpoises, whales, seal lions, seals, sea otters, and polar bears. | People wishing to access the databank must search for specimens online, and then submit a form which requests samples of each specimen desired. Any researcher who agrees to use samples for a purpose in line with the mission of the NMMTB can request samples. In order to do so, a requestor must fill out and submit a NMMTB Tissue Request Form. There is no cost to access. | Samples are collected largely from the NOAA stranding networks, and are well documented including chain of custody documentation. Current partners for collections include:New England Aquarium UNC-Wilmington NOAA/NOS Charleston The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, CA) Alaska Biological Science Center (USGS and USFWS) Kawerak, Inc. Kotzebue IRA North Slope Borough Dept. of Wildlife Management. | Digital searches; physical samples provided are between six and eight grams from the "B" sample. | Dr. Teresa K. Rowles NOAA/NMFS/PR 21315 East-West Hwy. Silver Spring, MD 20910 301.427.8402 teri.rowles [at] noaa.gov (teri.rowles@ noaa.gov) Dr. Paul R. Becker |
| NOAA, NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal Tissue/DNA Collection | DNA, Marine Biology | NOAA, NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center | Marine mammal (primarily cetacean) DNA and tissue samples collected from the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Samples are used for research at the lab. Any leftover samples are archived, which may be accessed by outsiders. Collection is of approximately 14,000 marine mammal DNA and tissue samples. | Generally, researchers only have access to DNA. Tissue samples are granted to outsiders only for special circumstances (forensic investigations is one case). Requesting parties write a 1-2 page proposal stating purpose. No cost to access; a written proposal is required for tissue samples. | Primary contributors include colleagues and coworkers, and stranding networks. | Physical samples. | Patty Rosel NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service - Southeast Fisheries Science Center 337.291.2123 Patricia.Rosel [at] noaa.gov (Patricia.Rosel@ noaa.gov) |
| NWFSC Marine Fish Voucher Collection | DNA, Marine Biology | Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA | Vouchered DNA sequences for species identification of marine fish species originating primarily in the Pacific Ocean. DNA sequences of approximately 500 marine fish species are made public and are available through public databases (GenBank, BOLD). Physical samples are maintained at NWFSC. | Digital records can be accessed through GenBank and the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). Physical samples are available on a limited basis; contact the POC. See requirements for GenBank and BOLD; physical samples require a written proposal. | Samples are collected from scientific field studies. | Digital records and physical samples. | Anna Elz Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA 206.860.3278 anna.elz [at] noaa.gov (anna.elz@ noaa.gov) |
| Odonto-Search | Dental Records, Teeth | Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command - Central Identification Laboratory | OdontoSearch is a forensic identification tool that allows a user to compare post-mortem dental information (fillings, false teeth, etc.) with a representative sample of dental records for a large number of individuals, giving the statistical probability of that particular pattern of dental work across the population. This can be used to strengthen the case for an individual's identification by dental records. The collection includes digital records of dental patterns collected from numerous individuals who voluntarily participated in dental health studies. Records can be compared over missing, filled, and unrestored tooth patterns. There are approximately 38,000 records from adults between 17 and 50 years of age (~19,500 from TSCOHS and ~18,500 from NHANES). | Access through the URL. Users enter the patient's dental pattern, quick query will run, and the probability of that dental pattern will immediately be shown. Search may be carried out by generic means, or a more detailed search which includes more detailed information on tooth modifications. Database access is free and available to anyone through the URL listed. | Data for OdontoSearch is from one of two data sources:1) TSCOHS: The raw data from this source were originally gathered by the Tri-Service Center for Oral Health Studies as part of an ongoing study observing dental health throughout the active duty and recruit population of the U.S. military. The data was collected in 1994 and 2000 as part of two phases of the Tri-Service Comprehensive Oral Health Survey (TSCOHS).2) NHANES: The NHANES study is a multifaceted health examination survey that was conducted in various locations across the United States to collect data on the civilian, non-institutionalized population. | Digital records. | JPAC Webmaster: webmaster [at] jpac.pacom.mil (webmaster@ jpac.pacom.mil) |
| Opto- Search | Eyeglass Prescriptions | Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command - Central Identification Laboratory | OptoSearch is a forensic identification tool that allows the user to quickly calculate the frequency of occurrence for specific or generalized eye or eyeglass prescriptions. The collection is made up of three separate databases, searchable independently or in combination that comprise around 800,000 eyeglass prescriptions. More information on each database is available at the URL listed. | Access through the URL. Search is performed by typing in the eyeglass prescription and searching against the database. The results are displayed immediately on the screen. Database access is free and available to anyone through the URL listed. | Data in each of the three databases is collected through slightly different methods. The first is complied from eyeglass orders placed by military optometrists and ophthalmologists around the world, the second is derived from a study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics on a U.S. population sample, the final database is from a continuous study being conducted by the Lackland AFB Optometry clinic in Texas and the 15th Airwing Optometry clinic in Hawaii. | Digital records. | JPAC Webmaster: webmaster [at] jpac.pacom.mil (webmaster@ jpac.pacom.mil) |
| Regulatory Seafood Standards Collection | DNA/Seafood | Food & Drug Administration (FDA) -- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition | A database of "barcode" sequences (655 bases starting near the 5' end of the cytochrome C oxidase mitochondrial gene) for various seafood species. The database is used to identify processed or cooked seafood samples to the species level both in illness outbreaks and to verify labeling in seafood fraud investigations. Most tissues/DNA link back to voucher specimens housed at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum; the remainder have authentication records. There are approximately 250 species (mostly fish) currently another 400 species are anticipated within the next year. | Contact the POC. A publically-accessible online portal is in the process of being created. Anyone can access the online portal at no cost; requests for physical samples must be approved by the POC. | Collected by the FDA and Smithsonian researchers on FDA-funded collection trips. Also donated by collaborators. | Digital records; physical samples are available by request. | Jon Deeds Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA Research Biologist 240.402.1474 jonathan.deeds [at] fda.hhs.gov (jonathan.deeds@ fda.hhs.gov) |
| Resource Assessment and Conser-vation Engineering (RACE) Adult Fishes Collection | Marine Biology | University of Washington's Ichthyology Collections - Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture | Reference collection of whole fishes and tissues collected during RACE fisheries surveys. Collection includes whole fish and tissue reference samples. The entire UW Icthyology Collection contains over 140,000 samples. | There is free web access for information in the database through the URL. Requests for physical samples may be made to the POC. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Samples are collected at sea, processed at AFSC, and archived at UW. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Jay Orr NOAA – NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 206.526.6318 James.Orr [at] noaa.gov (James.Orr@ noaa.gov) |
| Resource Assessment and Conser-vation Engineering (RACE) Macro- inverte- brates Collection | Marine Biology | California Academy of Sciences (CAS), University of Washington's Ichthyology Collections - Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture | Reference collection of whole invertebrates and tissues collected during RACE fisheries surveys. Collection includes whole invertebrate and tissue reference samples. The entire UW Icthyology Collection contains over 140,000 samples. | There is free web access for information in the database through the URL. Requests for physical samples may be made to the POC. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Samples are collected at sea, processed at AFSC, and archived at UW. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Jay Orr NOAA – NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center 206.526.6318 James.Orr [at] noaa.gov (James.Orr@ noaa.gov) |
| Robert J. Terry Anatomical Skeletal Collection | Anatomy, Skeletal Analysis, Osteology | National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution | Collection of skeletal remains along with demographic and pathological records. 1,728 skeletons along with information including age, sex, ethnic origin, cause of death, and pathological conditions. Associated photographs, plaster death masks, and hair samples are also kept. Skeletons are kept as intact as possible, generally only the ribs and possibly sternum, and in some cases calvarium were cut for the purpose of dissection. Ages of skeletons at death range from 16 to 102 years. | Skeletons were collected from cadavers at the Washington University Medical School. Bones were stripped of tissue, soaked for 72 hours, brushed and dried. Bones were also partially degreased by exposure to benzene vapors. | Digital records. | Dr. David Hunt National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution 202.633.1971 huntd [at] si.edu (huntd@ si.edu) | |
| Smith-sonian's National Museum of Natural History Mammal Collection | DNA, Osteology, Mammals | Smithsonian Institute -- National Museum of Natural History | An extensive collection of mammal bones and tissues, including specimens that are rare in other collections. This collection is one of the largest in the world of its kind. Roughly 590,000 voucher specimen of terrestrial and marine mammals from around the world. The bulk of the collection is in Suitland, MD, however parts of the collection are in Washington, D.C.. | Users can follow the website links to search the online digital library and find information on obtaining physical samples or requesting access to the collection. No cost or restriction to use the online library; anyone with a reasonable cause may request access to the physical samples by filling out the proper forms available online. | Contributions have originated from government-funded expeditions, initiatives, and research programs. | Digital records for online search. Physical samples are stored in one of two locations (Suitland, MD or DC). | Charles Potter Smithsonian Institution -- National Museum of Natural History Collection Manager (Marine Mammals) 202.633.1261 |
| The Feather Atlas | Feathers | US Fish and Wildlife Service - Forensics Laboratory | Facilitates feather identification by providing high-resolution scans of flight feathers of major groups of North American birds. Detailed, high resolution scans of tail, wing, primary, and secondary feathers. Sorted by age and sex for each species. Includes a layout of how the feathers appear in order on the specimen with measurement references for length. The Atlas contains 775 scans of over 200 species. | Access through the online portal. Users can either browse scans or search by feather characteristics. No cost to access; anyone can access. | All records in the Atlas are scans from morphological samples in the USFWS Forensics Laboratory's Wildlife Standard Database. | Digital records available online; physical samples are kept in the Wildlife Standard Database collection. | Darrell Hegdahl USFWS Forensics Laboratory 541.488.6501 |
| Trawl Database | Marine Biology | NOAA-Alaska Fisheries Science Center | Database including information on fish abundance, size, body condition and food habits of those fish caught using various types of fishing nets. Database includes data on fish caught in trawl nets. Physical samples are also held. | Collection may be accessed by contacting the point of contact listed. There are no restrictions on who may access the database, and access is free. | Samples are collected at sea during surveys. | Physical samples and digital records are stored. | Matt Wilson Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA 206.526.6588 matt.wilson [at] noaa.gov (matt.wilson@ noaa.gov) |
| U.S. Y-Str Database | DNA | National Center for Forensic Science; University of Central Florida | A searchable listing of 11‐ to 17‐locus Y‐STR haplotypes. Intended for use in estimating Y‐STR haplotype population frequencies for forensic casework purposes. 6,298 African American (All, Undefined, or Select by State); 1001 Asian (All, Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Oriental, Southern Indian, Vietnamese); 6,963 Caucasian (All, US, Canada, Europe, Undefined); 3,413 Hispanic (All, Undefined, or Select by State); 983 Native American (All, Apache, Navajo, Shoshone, Sioux). | Access through the URL; users enter the alleles of interest for each marker by using drop‐down menus or can enter their own haplotype using the textbox. Searches can also be done by ancestry. No cost to access; anyone can access. | Samples are contributed by accredited laboratories that work with Y-STR (mostly crime laboratories, Marshall University is a contributor). | Digital records. | Lyn Fatolitis National Center for Forensic Sciences lfatolit [at] mail.ucf.edu (lfatolit@ mail.ucf.edu) |
| VMS Billfish STR and mtDNA Database | DNA, Marine Biology | Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of William and Mary | World's largest collection of billfish samples. The collection also contains most of the Atlantic tuna family. Over 1,000 voucher samples of billfish tissue. Some whole specimen are available as well. The collection also include most of the Atlantic tuna family. | Internal users have access to the digital inventory and physical samples kept at the lab. Outside users can contact the POC by email or phone with requests. Anyone with a legitimate cause can make requests. | Tissue samples are collected by VIMS staff or by colleagues. | A digital inventory is kept internally. Physical samples are available depending on request. | John Graves The College of William and Mary -- Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) 804.684.7352 graves [at] vims.edu (graves@ vims.edu) |
| Wildlife Standard Database | DNA | US Fish and Wildlife Service - Forensics Laboratory | Reference collection for taxa identified in analysis. The Wildlife Standard database encompasses all reference samples at the USFWS Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon. Contains approximately 100,000 frozen (tissue) or stuffed (dry) animal reference samples. Tissue samples are used for DNA analysis; dry samples are referenced for morphological identification. Dry samples include: hides, bones, feathers, teeth, scales, etc. | The collection is used for internal purposes. Due to traceability and trackability issues, it is rare for the laboratory to send out samples. Outside agencies can submit evidence to the laboratory for analysis. Instructions for submitting evidence are available on the lab's website. Requests can be made under two conditions: 1) The request is for an investigation conducted by a law enforcement agency; 2) The investigation must be wildlife related. | Samples are contributed by museums, zoos, field biologists, and other law enforcement entities. | Digital records are kept in an internal database; physical samples are also maintained for internal use. | Darrell Hegdahl USFWS Forensics Laboratory 541.488.6501 |
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Created May 21, 2013, Updated January 9, 2017