ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

(CHY1002)

ROLE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE IN WILDLIFE

PROTECTION

1
CONTENTS
 Introduction 3
 Functions of different units 4-5
 Wildlife poisoning and pesticides analysis 6
 NATIONAL AND STATE ACTS 7
 Species Identification (Forensics techniques) 8
 Process of species identification 9
 Investigation of Accused/ Crime scene 10
 International organizations monitoring trade in wildlife 11
 Examples of Criminal Cases 12
 Articles 13-14
 Additional risks associated with wildlife cases 15

2
Introduction

 Wildlife forensic science is a relatively recent development to meet the increasing

need of the criminal justice system.
 This application of science draws on conservation genetics and forensic geneticists
from mainstream forensic science.
 This review is a broad overview of the recent developments in forensic wildlife
genetics with the application of DNA developments.
 The transfer of research methods into the criminal justice system for the
investigation of wildlife crimes has been largely successful as is illustrated in the
review.

3
Functions of different units

 Criminalistics Units: Evaluates the physical evidence collected from crime scene
such as tool markings, soil, etc.
 Pathology Units: Functions much like the medical examiner’s office that deals with
the humans cases, in that the primary objective is to conduct animal autopsies to
determine the mechanism of death.
 Morphology Units: Uses zoological and botanical form and structure from items such
as furs, feathers, bones , teeth, claws, seeds, flowers to ascertain the species
 Chemistry Units: Uses blood or tissue evidence or any derivative product to examine
the chemical and molecular structure for the species identification.

4
Functions of different units (Contd…)

 Digital Analysis Units: Utilizes state-of-the-art computer technology along with audio
and visual evidence collected to facilitate jury comprehension of the interpretations
presented in the court.
 Genetic Units: Utilizes serological proteins and DNA analytical methods,
mitochondrial and nuclear DNA for animal and plant species identification.

5
Wildlife poisoning and pesticides
analysis
 In some cases pesticides may be found in animal tissues on analysis but the origin of
the substance is unclear and the cause of death will be unknown or unspecified.
 Where poisoning is suspected, a combination of field work, veterinary examination and
chemical analysis is used to try to determine the underlying cause of death.
 The scheme is operated independently in all four countries of the UK
 The range of chemicals involved in wildlife poisonings is wide but primarily offending
substances are those involved in the control of vertebrates or insecticides.
 Groups of chemical compounds include carbamates, organochlorines,
organophosphates, pyrethroids, anticoagulants and other rodenticides as well as
individual compounds such as metaldehyde, chloralose, strychnine, paraquat and other
compounds.

6
NATIONAL AND STATE ACTS

 WILDLIFE(P) ACT- 1972

 STATE FORESTS ACTS
 J&K WL(P) ACT-1978
 FOREST CONSERVATION ACT-1980
 INDIAN FOREST ACT-1927
 CUSTOMS ACT-1962
 PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT-1960
 INDIAN FISHERIES ACT-1962

7
Species Identification (Forensics
techniques)

 Morphometry
 Chemical Tests
 DNA profiling
 Meat Analysis

8
Process of
species
identification

9
Investigation of Accused/ Crime scene

 Foot print analysis

 DNA finger printing
 Brain mapping
 Lie-detector
 Narco-analysis
 SDS- Suspect Detect System
 Ballistics

10
International organizations monitoring
trade in wildlife
 The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES), established in 1963.
 In the United States, the Endangered Species Act, authorized in 1973, protects
endangered and threatened species and the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife
has the authority to prosecute violations against protected species.
 Trent University in Ontario, Canada houses one of the largest wildlife DNA forensics
departments in North America, incorporating an extremely active research facility.

11
Examples of Criminal Cases

 One man, who owned a caviar company in New York, sold the eggs of the American paddlefish, a
protected species that lives in the Tennesse and Mississippi rivers, as caviar. DNA testing by wildlife
forensic scientists verified that the roe was not Russian Sevruga, as labeled, but from the
paddlefish. He was sentenced to two years in jail and fined $100,000. His company was
additionally fined $110,000.
 In Wyoming, six carcasses of pronghorn antelope were discovered in a pit. The heads were
removed, but no meat was taken. After a suspect was apprehended, wildlife forensic scientists
were able to match DNA from the skulls of antelope in his custody to the DNA in the carcasses. The
man was fined, served time in jail and his hunting license was suspended.
 In 1998, an Iowa hunter returned from a safari to Africa with the skull of a brown hyena that he had
shot. The brown hyena is an endangered species and after the man bragged about his kill, local
wildlife agents seized the skull. Wildlife experts used morphology, comparing the skull to a series of
hyena skulls, to identify the skull as illegal. The hunter was fined and his hunting license was
revoked worldwide.

12
13
14
Additional risks associated with wildlife
cases
 All animals, whatever their state of health, should be regarded as potential health risks.
This can be from a mild scratch to a potentially lethal bite from a venomous snake. The
only guaranteed way to avoid injury is to avoid contact with an animal.
 A number of animals are covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act and additional care
should always be taken. Strict personal hygiene procedures must always be followed
after handling animals. When physical contact is unavoidable, it is important to act in
order to minimize the risk of injury to investigators, the public and the animal itself.
 Protective clothing, appropriate to the level of risk, must always be worn when handling
animals or plants, and appropriate equipment should be used. Animals and plants have
at their disposal an array of defensive weapons including teeth, claws, tails, venom,
beaks, toxic skin, defecation, sap or spines.
 Plants can also have fine hairs or spines or exude toxic juices, saps or latex that can
cause mild to severe burns, irritation or inflammation so thicker gloves may be needed
over latex gloves.

15
 SAVE
ME!!!
SO
THAT
I CAN
THANK
YOU

16