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Genetic testing using STR sequences is a fundamental element of investigative and judicial activities in various types of cases involving animals, such as theft of animals or products derived from them, pedigree scams, violation of animal rights, or claims for compensation for property damage or personal injury. The aim of the study was to develop a microsatellite panel for individual identification and determination of relatedness in American mink for the purposes of forensic veterinary expert opinions. In total, 82 alleles were identified in 13 analysed microsatellite loci. The suitability of the test sequences for individual identification was determined by calculating the power of discrimination (PD). Taking into account all individuals, the power of discrimination ranged from 0.622 to 0.892, which translated into a match probability (MP) of 6.36E-10 (occurrence of a given genotype in 1.57E+09). As a result of the research, an optimized microsatellite panel of 13 STR sequences was obtained, which could be a useful tool in forensic veterinary practice, in civil or criminal cases requiring determination of the relationship between animals of the species mink, or the implementation of identification tests such as comparative DNA analysis of live or dead individuals, preserved biological traces, or fur industry products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]