Wildlife Forensics and Animal Welfare

How wildlife forensic science supports the prosecution of animal cruelty and trafficking cases and improves welfare outcomes through accountability.

Key Facts

Wildlife forensics uses DNA, toxicology, and morphological analysis to identify species, origin, and cause of death in legal cases
The US Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon is the world's only dedicated wildlife crime forensics lab
DNA analysis can identify species in processed wildlife products where morphology is insufficient for identification
Isotope analysis can determine geographic origin of specimens, helping trace trafficking routes
Forensic evidence has been critical in securing convictions in high-profile elephant ivory, rhino horn, and tiger trafficking cases
Animal cruelty forensics has grown as a field, with veterinary forensic pathologists providing expert testimony in cruelty prosecutions
Digital forensics including cell phone data and financial records increasingly supports wildlife trafficking prosecutions

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife forensics supports animal welfare indirectly but significantly by enabling accountability for wildlife crimes that cause enormous suffering. Trafficking prosecutions deterred by strong forensic evidence capacity prevent future crimes against animals. Every successful prosecution of wildlife trafficking removes actors from a trade that causes immense individual animal suffering. Investment in forensic capacity — laboratory equipment, trained personnel, and legal frameworks accepting forensic evidence — is therefore investment in preventing animal suffering at scale through deterrence and accountability.

What You Can Do

Support INTERPOL Wildlife Crime unit and national wildlife crime forensics programs through advocacy for funding
Learn about wildlife forensics as a career pathway if you have relevant scientific skills
Advocate for wildlife trafficking to be treated as serious organized crime with appropriate investigative resources
Support NGOs working to document wildlife crimes that require forensic investigation
Report suspected wildlife crimes to your national wildlife authority — forensic evidence often begins with public observation