Wildlife Forensics: Science in the Service of Conservation

Wildlife forensics deals with non-human evidence, but it adheres to the same principle as traditional forensic science, which typically deals with human crime: scientific proof for justice.

Wildlife Forensics = Science + Law + Conservation.

Objectives of Wildlife Forensics

Species Identification

identifying if a commodity confiscated (such as flesh, skin, feather, horn, wood, etc.) is a member of a protected species.

 Example: Recognising ivory as a phoney alternative or elephant tusk.

Individual Identification

comparing the genetic profile or DNA of animal parts that have been seized to recognised populations or individuals.

Geographical Origin

tracking the origin of the plant or animal.  (African versus Asian elephants, for instance).

Cause of Death

figuring out whether the animal was shot, poisoned, poached, or died naturally.

Law Enforcement Support

providing scientific evidence to support the prosecution of criminals by organisations such as the WCCB, CITES, and Interpol.

Techniques Used in Wildlife Forensics

Wildlife forensics is multidisciplinary, using tools from biology, chemistry, genetics, and even digital science.

1. Molecular & Genetic Techniques

• DNA Barcoding

  • Uses a short genetic sequence (usually mitochondrial COI gene) to identify species.

  • Example: Distinguishing between tiger and leopard skin, or between genuine ivory and cattle bone.

• Mitochondrial DNA Analysis (mtDNA)

  • Useful for degraded samples (bones, hair, teeth, feathers).

  • Helps trace maternal lineage.

• Microsatellite / STR (Short Tandem Repeat) Profiling

  • Identifies individual animals (similar to human DNA fingerprinting).

  • Used to match seized animal parts with poached carcasses.

• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)

  • Advanced method for analyzing mixed or degraded samples (e.g., bushmeat analysis)

2. Morphological & Anatomical Analysis

• Skeletal Studies – Analysis of bones, skulls, horns, and teeth.

• Feather Analysis – Identifying bird species by feather patterns and microstructures.

• Scale & Skin Studies – For reptiles and pangolins.

• Wood & Plant Anatomy – Used for timber forensics (red sandalwood, agarwood, etc.).

3. Chemical & Biochemical Analysis

• Stable Isotope Analysis

  • Identifies the geographical origin of wildlife products.

  • Example: Elephant ivory from Africa vs. Asia.

• Toxicology Tests

  • Detecting poisons, tranquilizers, or drugs used in killing animals.

• Protein-based Analysis (Immunoassays)

  • Identifying animal species from blood, meat, or tissue when DNA is degraded.

4. Ballistics & Toolmark Analysis

• Examining bullets, gunshot residues, snares, traps, or arrows.

• Matches weapons with injuries on carcasses.

5. Forensic Entomology

• Studying insect activity on animal remains.

• Helps estimate post-mortem interval (time since death) in wildlife crime cases

6. Digital Forensics in Wildlife Crime

• Tracking online illegal wildlife trade (dark web, social media, e-commerce).

• Seizing and analyzing poachers’ mobile phones, GPS trackers, and cameras.

• Satellite and drone surveillance for tracking illegal logging or hunting.

7. Trace Evidence Analysis

• Hair, feathers, soil, pollen, fibers found on suspects or tools.

• Example: Pollen analysis linking timber smuggling to a forest region.

8. Forensic Odontology (Teeth Studies)

• Used for species identification (carnivores vs herbivores).

• Also helps estimate age of the animal.

9. Forensic Botany (Plant Forensics)

• Identifies plant species involved in smuggling (medicinal plants, timber, orchids).

• Examines seeds, wood anatomy, leaf structures, or pollen grains.

Legal & Enforcement Framework

In India

 The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 gives species legal protection. A specialised organisation dedicated to combating wildlife crime is the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).

 cooperation with Customs and State Forest Departments.

 Global

 The international commerce in endangered species is governed by the Convention on International commerce in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES.

 For cross-border investigations, Interpol's Wildlife Crime Working Group is used.

Applications of Wildlife Forensics

• Ivory trade detection – Identifying elephant tusks.

• Tiger poaching cases – DNA profiling from skin, bones, claws.

• Bird smuggling – Identifying protected parrot species.

• Timber forensics – Identifying illegal wood species (like red sandalwood).

• Marine forensics – Identifying whale meat, shark fins, or coral smuggling.

Importance of Wildlife Forensics

• Protects endangered species from extinction.

• Helps enforce wildlife laws effectively.

• Provides scientific evidence in court (beyond eyewitness accounts).

• Discourages illegal wildlife trade, which is the 4th largest organized crime globally (after drugs, arms, and human trafficking).

• Supports conservation efforts by tracking and monitoring populations.

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