forensic science in illegal trade on wildlife dr richard k bagine kenya wildlife service
TRANSCRIPT
Forensic science in illegal trade on
wildlife
Dr Richard K BagineKenya Wildlife Service
Presentation outline
• Introduction
• Illegal trade in wildlife
• Wildlife crimes in Kenya
• Forensic in wildlife and their potentials
• Challenges in use of forensic science
• Use of forensics in KWS
• Conclusion
Introduction Forensic - The application of scientific knowledge to legal matters
Wildlife forensics is a relatively new field of wildlife criminal investigations.
Goals:1. Use scientific procedures to examine, identify, and compare evidence from wildlife crime scenes
2. Link this evidence with a suspect and a victim
Introduction cont’d…
Forensic science has a key role to play in curbing wildlife crimes
Illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products affects the survival of species
Populations of rhinos and elephants have declined in recent years as a result of trade in their products.
Introduction cont’d…
A three decade wildlife population estimates ('00) in Kenya
0
3,000
6,000
9,000
12,000
15,000
1970 1980 1990
Years
Po
p.
es
tim
ate
s
Other wildlife species also declining due to continued degradation of habitats and unsustainable use of their products
Illegal trade in wildlife(1)
The factors contributing to illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products
Poverty – unsustainable use
Human population growth and encroachment to wildlife areas
Ineffective legal deterrent measures
Low input costs involved in the trade
Deepening antipathy towards wildlife by landowners
Illegal trade in wildlife(2)
Issues that feature prominently in illegal trade on wildlife & their products
What is the identity of the specimen in question?
What is the provenance of the specimen in question?
What is the cause of death or injury?
Can a suspect be connected to wildlife crime scene?
WILDLIFE CRIMES IN KENYA.
• Kenya's invaluable wildlife resources are a target of illegal activities such as poaching and illegal exploitation.
• These illegal activities threaten the country’s wildlife resources and their habitats
• E.g
Bush meat trade
Illegal trade on a wide spectrum of wildlife products has become a serious threat and a major conservation challenge to Kenya Wildlife Service.
TROPHY POACHING OF WILDLIFE
• Target Trophies Ivory Rhino horns Skins
Corals and shells
SOME STATISTICS - ARRESTS AND
RECOVERIES (2005) CRIME ARRESTS RECOVERIES
Poaching 40 Bush meat 146 862 Kgs
Snares 32 2468 Others 181 Totals
399
Forensics in wildlife conservation
Among the many fields of forensic science the most applicable in illegal trade in wildlife is Forensic Biology
Many forensic techniques can be utilized to investigate illegal trade on wildlife & other contraband products.
Forensic science can support effective enforcement of national wildlife legislation.
Forensic science has other wider applications in wildlife conservation
Forensic methods in wildlife crime
The ouchterlony immuno diffusion methods
The precipitin method using the eletrophorensis
The DNA material analysis- mitochondrial DNA- nuclear DNA – micro satellites
- multilocus fingerprints
Molecular based techniques, which are highly sensitive and specific are perhaps the ultimate forensic tools to curb trade in wildlife products
Forensic PotentialSmooth surfaces –
– Fingerprints/footprints/tool marks– DNA
Absorbent surfaces – (paper/wood/cloth)– DNA– Fingerprints (ninhydrin)– Chemical/Morphometric analysis
Fluid – (Blood/saliva)– DNA– Toxicology– Spatter pattern analysis
Potential strength of evidence using forensic
methods
Wildlife crime scene assessment
Identify all forensic trace evidence Identify which will assist to investigate
the offence Preserve, recover and record the
appropriate evidence Deliver to the laboratory in a condition
and with a chain of custody which allows it to be used as evidence.
Challenges in use of forensic science in wildlife
crimesIdentification of trace evidence that can assist your case by –– Proving an offence has taken place– Identifying an offender– Linking an offender to a crime scene– Linking items removed from a crime
scene with that scene In some cases no reliable methods for
identification of wildlife products are available
Use of forensics in KWS
In the year 2002, KWS embarked on developing a forensic technique for detecting bush meat.KWS employed the immuno-diffusion
technique for wildlife meat identification. This method, developed with assistance from University of Nairobi is considered easier and less expensive
KWS collaborates with the Government Chemist to identify suspected meat samples using precipitin method.
The molecular based approach (using DNA) is yet to be used despite its complexity and cost factors
Challenges in combating wildlife crimes in Kenya
Lack of human resource
Court and litigation procedures
Weaker laws on wildlife forensics
Costs and protocols
Conclusion (1)
All standard forensic techniques are applicable to wildlife law enforcement cases
Forensic opportunities to assist a case are many and available
Many of the techniques can be applied long after the crime has taken place so long as good crime scene preservation and recovery of evidence has been carried out
Forensic requirements in wildlife sector
Modern laboratory
Capacity building and training in forensic sciences for wildlife officers
Improved collaboration with local and international partners including
INTERPOL
Appropriate policies that enhance compliance and enforcement of wildlife laws
Conclusion (2)
THANK YOU
SOME THREATENED/ENDANGERED SPECIES
What are you looking to identify?
Anything which does not belong to the scene
Anything which has been disturbed or damaged
Anything which has been removed
Any part of something which has been removed or has been left behind
Anything left at the scene by the offender
Marks made at the scene by the offender
Basic handling and contamination
avoidanceFour Key Areas – PPE – (Personal Protective
Equipment) Activities at the scene Sample Collection/taking Transportation and packaging