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Wildlife DNA Forensics: Tools for Tackling Illegal Trade

Wildlife DNA Forensics: Tools for Tackling Illegal Trade. Dr. Rob Ogden TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network Society for Wildlife Forensic Sciences. Wildlife Crime. Investigative Questions, Scientific Answers. What is it? = Species identification. Is it captive bred? = Parentage verification.

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Wildlife DNA Forensics: Tools for Tackling Illegal Trade

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  1. Wildlife DNA Forensics: Tools for Tackling Illegal Trade Dr. Rob Ogden TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network Society for Wildlife Forensic Sciences

  2. Wildlife Crime Investigative Questions, Scientific Answers What is it? = Species identification Is it captive bred? = Parentage verification Where’s it from? = Population assignment

  3. Wildlife Crime Who is it from? = Individual ID – Sample matching

  4. Forensic Science What is it? • ‘Forensic’ describes the end use of the result data • ‘Forensic’ describes the control processes surrounding a test What it is not… • ‘Forensic’ does not mean using a test to identify a sample • ‘Forensic’ should not be used to describe a technique/method Very important for wildlife scientists, enforcers and the judiciary to understand the distinction between research and forensics. Academic research Lab test Validation Quality Assurance Forensic Process

  5. Forensic Standards ISO standards for laboratory accreditation SWG = Scientific Working Groups • System for setting forensic standards • SWGWILD = Wildlife forensics – published in 2013 • Currently covers Morphological and DNA identification • Benchmark for Wildlife Forensics

  6. Forensic Process - Field to Courtroom Evidence collection Evidence transfer Sample analysis Result interpretation Reporting Evidence Presentation

  7. Wildlife DNA Forensics • What’s happening? • International network of wildlife DNA forensic labs • Method development • Performing casework Society for Wildlife Forensic Science

  8. Wildlife DNA Forensics • What’s happening? • International network of wildlife DNA forensic labs • Method development • Performing casework • Species ID ✔ • Individual ID ? • Geographic origin ID ✖

  9. Wildlife DNA Forensics • What’s happening? • International network of wildlife DNA forensic labs • Method development • Performing casework

  10. Key Messages • Forensic science is developing to meet the needs of wildlife law enforcement • Species identification is widely available, other applications are emerging species by species • Recognition of the difference between research and forensic procedures is essential • Increased use of wildlife forensics requires integration with enforcement agencies, as well as resources for laboratory analysis

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