 Some of the more unusual work the VGL performed was a 1996 investigation by Scotland Yard , which sought help from the lab to identify the source of a blood sample associated with a murder . The lab identified the sample as being from a dog that was at the crime scene , and this information helped crack the case by leading investigators to a suspect who was the owner of the dog . Bowling was the director of the laboratory at the time , and as a result of this work , expanded the lab 's scope so it could continue to help identify animals present at crime scenes and those animals which themselves were victims of crimes such as theft or animal abuse . From this beginning , the VGL also later helped create a national canine database used to prosecute cases of dogfighting . Bowling also published articles on parentage in mules , including a case where she proved the rare occurrence of a fertile mule mare by parentage testing . 
