Wildlife Forensics: Science in Service of Animal Welfare

Wildlife forensics applies laboratory science to detect, identify, and prosecute wildlife crimes — from DNA identification of illegally traded species to toxicology in poisoning cases — supporting enforcement of laws that protect animal welfare.

Key Facts

Wildlife forensics encompasses DNA analysis, toxicology, pathology, and trace evidence examination in wildlife crime cases
The US Fish and Wildlife Service National Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon is the worlds only dedicated wildlife crime forensic lab
DNA barcoding can identify species from small tissue samples, enabling prosecution of traders in processed wildlife products
Stable isotope analysis can determine the geographic origin of seized wildlife, helping trace trafficking routes
Poisoning of raptors using carbofuran and other pesticides is frequently detected by toxicology but prosecution remains difficult due to intent requirements

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife forensics is an enabling science for animal welfare enforcement — without forensic evidence, crimes against wildlife are difficult to prosecute successfully. Investment in forensic capacity translates directly into better enforcement outcomes, deterrence of wildlife crime, and reduced animal suffering. The cross-border nature of wildlife trafficking requires international forensic standards and laboratory networks that can share evidence across jurisdictions.

What You Can Do

Support organisations funding wildlife forensics laboratory capacity and training in wildlife range countries
Advocate for government investment in wildlife forensics as an animal welfare and conservation enforcement priority
Report suspected wildlife crimes with as much physical evidence detail as possible to support forensic investigation
Engage with the scientific basis of wildlife forensics through accessible publications to understand the evidence base for enforcement