Wildlife Forensics. Methods and Applications (Hardcover)

Description

Wildlife Forensics: Methods and Applications provides an accessible and practical approach to the key areas involved in this developing subject. The book contains numerous global case studies throughout the text that take the reader from the field, to the lab analysis to the court room, giving a complete insight into the path of forensic evidence and demonstrating how current techniques can be applied to wildlife forensics. With numerous global examples of various types of wildlife crimes, this is a useful reference for the application of forensic techniques to the field of wildlife crime.

It covers a number of different areas in forensics, entomology, hair identification, use of DNA for individualization and species identification. The book also includes reference material pertaining to the field of wildlife forensics and demonstrates how other areas of forensic science integrate to support wildlife forensic investigations.

The book contains approaches that wildlife forensic investigators and laboratory technicians can employ in investigations and effectively illustrates various methods through case studies. It provides the direction and practical advice required by legal and police professionals seeking to gain the evidence needed to prosecute wildlife crimes.

The book brings together in one text various aspects of wildlife forensics, toxicology, entomology, serology hair identification, and DNA analysis. Case studies discussed in the book take the reader from the field, to the lab analysis to the court room and provide a complete overview of handling a case.

This title is an invaluable reference providing investigators, laboratory technicians and students in forensic science/conservation biology classes with practical guidance and best methods for criminal investigations applied to wildlife crime.

Table of Contents

• Developments in Forensic Science
• About the Editors
• List of Contributors
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements

1. Wildlife Ownership
   Eric G. Roscoe and Michael McMaster
• Introduction
• Ancient Rome and the Concept of Res Nullius
• Common Law England: The King’s Ownership
• The New World: Hunting for the Market
• Management: The Property Right of States
• Federal Law and the Regulatory State
• Globalization: Working toward Worldwide Conservation Practices
• Conclusion
• Cases Cited
• References
2. Society for Wildlife Forensic Science
   DeeDee Hawk
• Introduction
• Formation of the Society
• The Code of Ethics
• Membership of the Society
• Member Labs
• Proficiency Program
• Scientific Working Group for Wildlife Forensic Sciences (SWGWILD)
• Conclusion
• References
3. The Application of Forensic Science to Wildlife Evidence
   John R. Wallace and Jill C. Ross
• Introduction
• Overview of Forensic Science
• Enforcement of Wildlife Protection Policy
• Development of Wildlife Forensic Laboratories
• Current Perceptions
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• References
4. Defining a Crime Scene and Physical Evidence Collection
   Jason H. Byrd and Lerah K. Sutton
• Introduction
• Definition of a Crime Scene
• Questions to Be Asked
• Scene Priority
• First Responding Officer
• Securing the Scene
• Chain of Custody
• Processing the Scene
• Initial Documentation
• Scene Documentation
• Remains in an Aquatic Environment
• Collection of Evidence
• Review of Scene Processing
• Final Inspection
• References
5. Forensic Evidence Collection and Cultural Motives for Animal Harvesting
   Michelle D. Hamilton and Elizabeth M. Erhart
• Introduction
• Wild Animals as Pharmacopeias
• Trade in Wild Animals
• Recovering Evidence at Poaching Scenes
• Locating the Burial: Anomalies on the Surface
• Acknowledgements
• References
6. Forensic Entomology and Wildlife
   Jeffery K. Tomberlin and Michelle R. Sanford
• Introduction
• Application of Forensic Entomology to Wildlife Crimes
• Arthropods Commonly Encountered
• Diptera
• Coleoptera
• Sampling
• Conclusion
• Appendix
• Acknowledgements
• References
7. Wildlife Forensic Pathology and Toxicology in Wound Analysis and Pesticide Poisoning
   Douglas E. Roscoe and William Stansley
• Introduction
• Wound Analysis
• Wildlife Poisoning by Insecticides
• Wildlife Poisoning by Rodenticides
• References
8. The Use of Hair Morphology in the Identification of Mammals
   Lisa Knecht
• Introduction
• Types of Hair
• Hair Structure
• Techniques for Studying Hair Structure
• Conclusion
• References
9. Plants and Wildlife Forensics
   Christopher R. Hardy and David S. Martin
• Introduction
• Plants as Trace Evidence
• Poisonous Plants
• The Basics of Collecting and Preserving Botanical Evidence
• Finding a Forensic Botanist
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• References
10. Identification of Reptile Skin Products Using Scale Morphology
    David L. Martin
• Introduction
• International Trade in Reptile Skins
• Challenges to Species Identification of Reptile Skin Products
• Species and Products Represented in the Reptile Skin Trade
• Reptile Scale Morphology Basics and Current Limitations
• Identifying Features of Major Reptile Groups
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• References
11. Best Practices in Wildlife Forensic DNA
    M. Katherine Moore and Irving L. Kornfield
• Introduction
• The Need for Appropriate Standards
• Wildlife Forensic DNA Best Practices
• Standards and Guidelines for Wildlife Forensics
• Training
• Case File
• Laboratory Facility (QA)
• Validation
• Laboratory Protocols
• Data Analysis
• Interpretation Guidelines
• Vouchers/Reference Samples
• Species Identification
• Reporting
• Contents of the Case Report
• Review
• Court Testimony
• The Way Forward
• Note
• Acknowledgements
• References
12. Statistics for Wildlife Forensic DNA
    B.S. Weir
• Introduction
• The Central Problem
• Genetic Sampling
• Lineage Markers
• Relatedness
• Inbreeding
• Testing for Allele Independence
• Assignment testing
• Conclusion
• References
13. Forensic DNA Analysis of Wildlife Evidence
    Sabrina N. McGraw, Shamus P. Keeler, and Jane E. Huffman
• Introduction
• DNA Isolation and Handling
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Sample Speciation
• Minisatellites (VNTRs)
• Mitochondrial Markers (mtDNA)
• Additional Genetic Speciation Methods
• Limitations of Genetic Speciation
• Sample Sexing
• Sample Individualization
• Sample Localization
• Validation of Wildlife Forensic Techniques
• Court Admissibility
• Conclusion
• Cases Cited
• References
14. DNA Applications and Implementation
    Robert Ogden
• Introduction
• History
• Questions and Techniques: Wildlife Crime Issues
• Species Identification
• Identification of Geographic Origin
• Individual Identification
• Exclusion
• Practical Applications
• Sample Types for DNA Analysis
• Laboratory Models: Individual Facilities
• Future Developments
• Summary
• References
15. Conservation Genetics and Wildlife Forensics of Birds
    Rebecca N. Johnson
• Introduction
• Avian Genetics
• Avian Taxonomy, Legislation and Conservation
• Avian Wildlife Forensics: A Range of Applications
• Conservation Genetics and Wildlife Forensics: Identification Using DNA
• Conclusion
• References
16. Wildlife Forensics in Thailand: Utilization of Mitochondrial DNA Sequences
    Suchitra Changtragoon
• Introduction
• DNA Extraction and Amplification
• DNA Sequencing
• Origin Identification
• Species and Subspecies Identification
• Results of the Investigations
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• References
17. The Future of Wildlife Forensic Science
    Edgard O. Espinoza, Jesica L. Espinoza, Pepper W. Trail, and Barry W. Baker
• Introduction
• Technical Challenges
• Enhancing Wildlife Protection by Integrating Forensic Science and the Law
• The U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Limits of Science
• The Future of Forensic Scientists and the Laboratories in which They Work
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• References

• Index