Project Proposal
FAIR-TRACE: Forensic Animal Identification & Reference-data for TRACEability
Can act as:
Seeking expertise:
We are forming a consortium for a Horizon Europe WIDERA TWINNING proposal coordinated by the Betül-Ziya Eren Genome & Stem Cell Center (GENKÖK), Türkiye. Our objective is to establish an ISO/IEC 17025-ready forensic animal genetics unit capable of producing court-admissible DNA evidence for wildlife crime, illegal trade, livestock theft, and food fraud/mislabelling, and to align workflows and reference resources with European best practice for cross-border cooperation.
Across a Twinning action, we will co-develop and implement:
Validated, ISO/IEC 17025-ready methods for:
-Species identification (including challenging matrices: meat, horn, fur, feathers, processed products; barcoding approaches such as COI/cytb as appropriate),
-Individual identification (STR/SNP-based approaches linking evidence to a specific animal/carcass), and
-Parentage and origin/traceability testing in key livestock species (STR/SNP panels).
-Quality assurance and chain-of-custody systems: SOPs, traceability, internal audits, harmonised reporting and interpretation suitable for judicial settings.
-Reference datasets and databases: legally sourced barcoding and STR/SNP reference data, managed under secure, GDPR-compliant governance and designed for interoperability.
-Benchmarking and external validation via proficiency testing / ring trials and alignment with relevant international guidance (e.g., SWFS, ISAG, ICAR, and CITES/UNODC-relevant practices).
-Capacity-building and long-term sustainability through staff exchanges, workshops, summer schools, mentoring, and an accreditation roadmap and service model.
We are particularly interested in collaborating with organisations able to contribute to one or more of the following areas:
A) Forensic genetics (methods + validation + reporting)
-ISO/IEC 17025-oriented method development and validation frameworks
-STR/SNP assay design/selection, mixture considerations, interpretation, and reporting for court use
-Casework workflow design (from sample intake to result reporting)
-Experience with proficiency testing, ring trials, and laboratory QA systems
B) Wildlife forensics / conservation genetics
-Species identification strategies (including degraded/processed samples)
-Wildlife reference sampling strategies and evidentiary interpretation in enforcement contexts
-Chain-of-custody and sampling protocols for field seizures and crime-scene contexts
-Linkage to CITES-relevant workflows and cross-border enforcement needs
C) Traceability, parentage, and livestock population genetics
-Livestock parentage/origin systems, STR/SNP panel evaluation, assignment approaches
-Design of reference datasets (breed/population representation, sampling strategy)
-Interoperability with existing national/EU traceability or certification frameworks
D) Proficiency testing / standard-setting / accreditation support
-Development or delivery of PT schemes / ring trials in animal genetics
-Alignment with international standards and best-practice guidance; audit readiness
E) Data governance and secure databases
-GDPR-compliant data management for reference databases and forensic outputs
-Secure database design, access controls, and “as open as possible, as closed as necessary” governance
What we would expect from collaborators
Depending on your profile, potential contributions include: co-leading validation tasks, hosting staff exchanges or training events, advising on QA/accreditation and proficiency benchmarking, supporting reference dataset design, and contributing to pilot casework or mock-case exercises with authorities.