PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Game and Fish says DNA tests on an adult black bear confirm it's the one who attacked an East Valley woman in Pinetop.
Department officials conducted a forensic necropsy on the bear Wednesday. But the procedure didn't yield any immediately identifiable human material.
But officials said Friday that DNA samples taken from the bear during the necropsy matched DNA found on the victim's clothing after Tuesday's mauling.
Lana Hollingsworth, 61, of Gilbert is recovering after surgery at a Scottsdale hospital.
Game and Fish officials say a significant amount of kitchen garbage was found in the bear's digestive tract.
The bear's teeth, claws, fur and digestive tract were removed and are being taken to a wildlife lab for further testing.
DrJCA1 posted at 9:13 pm on Wed, Jul 6, 2011.
Huh? Why are they spending money on this? If the bear did it,will he go to jail after the DNA test? I think they should punish this dead bear. Shame on him for mauling that woman. Go ahead and let bears into the neighborhood and watch it get slummy.
DrJCA1 posted at 9:15 pm on Wed, Jul 6, 2011.
OK, my first comment was obviously tongue-in-cheek. But seriously, I thought this was a joke when I read the headline. Someone please explain why you would spend the time and money on DNA testing a wild animal. I'm so confused.