RAPD markers system as a useful tool for rapid identification of the origin of lizard contaminants in food.

In food poisoning, detection of the nature of causative agent is important for management of trauma and forensic investigation. Most of the methods in clinical toxicology are developed for detection of toxins and poisons. A RAPD-based method has been described for detection of species of animal from its morphologically unrecognizable fragments, recovered from food substances, consumption of which caused even death. Pre-mixed RAPD reaction beads and six RAPD primers were used in PCR analysis. Among six RAPD primers used, any one of them was sufficient in resolving this practical forensic situation. But to enhance the probability values for matching in the present study of fixing identity of an animal, six set of market available RAPD primers were used. This is the first report of a forensic application of RAPD DNA typing in identification of charred skeleton remnants of Lizard sp. in food material. Furthermore unique amplicons were generated for different reptilian species, which can be used as species specific markers for species identification in forensic situation, however no variations among individuals of same species were observed.