The hair of a 120-year-old taxidermy bear named Boris is helping a forensic science graduate student develop new methods to combat wildlife crime. Hayden Leigh, a PhD researcher at the University of Staffordshire, is examining samples from Boris, an unofficial mascot at the Museum of Chelmsford, to enhance the identification of animal hairs in modern investigations.
Boris, a taxidermy brown bear, arrived at the museum in 1932 as part of a collection bequeathed by a local game hunter. Leigh is analyzing the bear's fur, including its cuticles, different layers, and DNA, using a microscope. His research aims to improve the accuracy of identifying hairs found at crime scenes, a technique commonly studied for domestic animals but less so for wildlife.
Leigh approached approximately 30 zoos and museums before the Museum of Chelmsford agreed to contribute to his project. The research focuses on modern-day brown bears, which are predominantly found in regions such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia.
