Wildlife Forensics

Dr. Jane Huffman, Ph.D. is the director of the Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory at East Stroudsburg University, where her work focuses on the application of genetic methods to wildlife law enforcement and conservation management. She runs wildlife DNA forensic training courses for conservation officers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She, along with her students, has undertaken a wide range of applied research projects including the development of DNA profiling systems for game species in PA and NJ and microscopic hair characterization. The laboratory provides species identification tests for illegally sold wild meat. She provides forensic analysis and expert witness testimony in PA wildlife crime prosecutions.Dr. Huffman is also the graduate student coordinator for the Department of Biological Sciences at East Stroudsburg University. Dr. John R. Wallace, Ph.D., D-ABFE, F-AAFS, is one of 15 board-certified forensic entomologists and a diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Entomology. Dr. Wallace is a Professor of Biology and focuses on teaching courses in Entomology, Aquatic Biology, Aquatic Entomology, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Science, and Ecology and Evolution. His research interests cover topics such as mosquito and disease ecology as well as mosquito and blackfly surveillance, and the role of aquatic organisms such as insects, algae and crayfish on decomposition within forensic science.As a forensic entomologist, Dr. Wallace has participated in criminal investigations all over the country since 1995. He has taught forensic entomology courses at the University level and workshops at various universities to law enforcement throughout the United States, published more than 45 articles or book chapters in National/International journals. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Science and an active member since 2002. Dr. Wallace is a co-founder and past President of the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA) in 2005 as well as the editor-elect for the NAFEA newsletter.

“This book is written in an easy to comprehend style and the concise chapters are full of information. Few books are specific to veterinary forensics and I would recommend this one for the library of anyone involved in this field.”  (Doody’s, 24 August 2012)

• Developments in Forensic Science xiiiAbout the Editors xvList of Contributors xviiForeword xxiiiAcknowledgements xxv1 Wildlife Ownership 1Eric G. Roscoe and Michael McMasterIntroduction 1Ancient Rome and the Concept of Res Nullius 2Common Law England: The King’s Ownership 3The New World: Hunting for the Market 5Management: The Property Right of States 8Federal Law and the Regulatory State 10Globalization: Working toward Worldwide Conservation Practices 11Conclusion 13Cases Cited 13References 132 Society for Wildlife Forensic Science 15DeeDee HawkIntroduction 15Formation of the Society 19The Code of Ethics 22Membership of the Society 24Member Labs 25Proficiency Program 25Scientific Working Group for Wildlife Forensic Sciences (SWGWILD) 29Conclusion 32References 333 The Application of Forensic Science to Wildlife Evidence 35John R. Wallace and Jill C. RossIntroduction 35Overview of Forensic Science 37History of Wildlife Forensics 39Enforcement of Wildlife Protection Policy 44Development of Wildlife Forensic Laboratories 45Current Perceptions 47Conclusion 48Acknowledgements 49References 494 Defining a Crime Scene and Physical Evidence Collection 51Jason H. Byrd and Lerah K. SuttonIntroduction 51Definition of a Crime Scene 51Questions to Be Asked 52Scene Priority 52First Responding Officer 53Securing the Scene 53Chain of Custody 55Processing the Scene 55Initial Documentation 56Scene Documentation 58Remains in an Aquatic Environment 60Collection of Evidence 61Review of Scene Processing 62Final Inspection 62References 635 Forensic Evidence Collection and Cultural Motives for Animal Harvesting 65Michelle D. Hamilton and Elizabeth M. ErhartIntroduction 65Wild Animals as Pharmacopeias 66Trade in Wild Animals 67Recovering Evidence at Poaching Scenes 68Locating the Burial: Anomalies on the Surface 71Acknowledgements 76References 766 Forensic Entomology and Wildlife 81Jeffery K. Tomberlin and Michelle R. SanfordIntroduction 81Application of Forensic Entomology to Wildlife Crimes 82Arthropods Commonly Encountered 86Diptera 88Coleoptera 95Sampling 98Conclusion 100Appendix 101Acknowledgements 102References 1027 Wildlife Forensic Pathology and Toxicology in Wound Analysis and Pesticide Poisoning 109Douglas E. Roscoe and William StansleyIntroduction 109Wound Analysis 109Wildlife Poisoning by Insecticides 121Wildlife Poisoning by Rodenticides 123References 1258 The Use of Hair Morphology in the Identification of Mammals 129Lisa KnechtIntroduction 129Types of Hair 130Hair Structure 131Techniques for Studying Hair Structure 140Conclusion 142References 1429 Plants and Wildlife Forensics 145Christopher R. Hardy and David S. MartinIntroduction 145Plants as Trace Evidence 145Poisonous Plants 149The Basics of Collecting and Preserving Botanical Evidence 153Finding a Forensic Botanist 156Conclusion 156Acknowledgements 157References 15710 Identification of Reptile Skin Products Using Scale Morphology 161David L. MartinIntroduction 161International Trade in Reptile Skins 162Challenges to Species Identification of Reptile Skin Products 166Species and Products Represented in the Reptile Skin Trade 168Reptile Scale Morphology Basics and Current Limitations 170Identifying Features of Major Reptile Groups 178Conclusion 194Acknowledgements 195References 19511 Best Practices in Wildlife Forensic DNA 201M. Katherine Moore and Irving L. KornfieldIntroduction 201The Need for Appropriate Standards 203Wildlife Forensic DNA Best Practices 206Standards and Guidelines for Wildlife Forensics 206Training 208Case File 209Laboratory Facility (QA) 213Validation 214Laboratory Protocols 216Data Analysis 218Interpretation Guidelines 220Vouchers/Reference Samples 221Species Identification 224Reporting 224Contents of the Case Report 225Review 226Court Testimony 229The Way Forward 230Note 230Acknowledgements 230References 23112 Statistics for Wildlife Forensic DNA 237B.S. WeirIntroduction 237The Central Problem 238Genetic Sampling 241Lineage Markers 242Relatedness 245Inbreeding 247Testing for Allele Independence 248Assignment testing 250Conclusion 251References 25213 Forensic DNA Analysis of Wildlife Evidence 253Sabrina N. McGraw, Shamus P. Keeler, and Jane E. HuffmanIntroduction 253DNA Isolation and Handling 254Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 255Sample Speciation 256Minisatellites (VNTRs) 256Mitochondrial Markers (mtDNA) 257Additional Genetic Speciation Methods 259Limitations of Genetic Speciation 260Sample Sexing 261Sample Individualization 262Sample Localization 263Validation of Wildlife Forensic Techniques 264Court Admissibility 266Conclusion 266Cases Cited 266References 26714 DNA Applications and Implementation 271Robert OgdenIntroduction 271History 272Questions and Techniques: Wildlife Crime Issues 272Species Identification 273Identification of Geographic Origin 275Individual Identification 279Exclusion 280Practical Applications 282Sample Types for DNA Analysis 282Laboratory Models: Individual Facilities 283Future Developments 287Summary 288References 28915 Conservation Genetics and Wildlife Forensics of Birds 293Rebecca N. JohnsonIntroduction 293Avian Genetics 295Avian Taxonomy, Legislation and Conservation 299Avian Wildlife Forensics: A Range of Applications 302Conservation Genetics and Wildlife Forensics: Identification Using DNA 307Conclusion 315References 31716 Wildlife Forensics in Thailand: Utilization of Mitochondrial DNA Sequences 327Suchitra ChangtragoonIntroduction 327DNA Extraction and Amplification 327DNA Sequencing 328Origin Identification 328Species and Subspecies Identification 328Results of the Investigations 330Conclusion 338Acknowledgements 341References 34117 The Future of Wildlife Forensic Science 343Edgard O. Espinoza, Jesica L. Espinoza, Pepper W. Trail, and Barry W. BakerIntroduction 343Technical Challenges 344Enhancing Wildlife Protection by Integrating Forensic Science and the Law 350The U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Limits of Science 351The Future of Forensic Scientists and the Laboratories in which They Work 353Conclusion 355Acknowledgments 356References 356Index 359