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Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
The Forensic Working Group
Profiling the Profilers:A Review of FWG Activity
Dr Rob Ogden
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Wildlife Crime in the UK
A Partnership Approach:Members: 160 organizations
Government (Police, Customs, DEFRA, EA)
NGOs – e.g. TRAFFIC, RSPCA, RSPB
Commercial – BASC, S.U.N.
Independent specialists – e.g. labs, vets etc.
All stakeholders welcome provided they uphold the law
• PAW
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
An Introduction to the FWG
• What?
• Who?
• Why?
• How?
PAW Steering Group
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
PAW Secretariat - DEFRA
FWG - Est. 1996
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
An Introduction to the FWG
• What?
• Who?
• Why?
• How?
Government - DEFRA - HMRC CITES - Police
Forensic - FSS - CSL - WDNAS
Academic - Cardiff Uni.
NGO - RSPB - RSPCA - TRAFFIC - TRACE
Nat. Institutes. - RBG Kew
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
An Introduction to the FWG
• What?
• Who?
• Why?
• How?
Role:
• To assess forensic techniques for wildlife crime
• To disseminate latest research and casework
• To promote and advise on the use of forensics
• To identify current and future needs
• To support R&D into new techniques
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
An Introduction to the FWG
• What?
• Who?
• Why?
• How?
Activities:
• Undertake casework
• Facilitate the application of forensic analysis
• Develop networks, provide training
• Plan and implement research projects
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - Casework
Questions: Techniques:
• What is it? Morphological ID
DNA species ID
Immunological ID
• Who is it? Relationships DNA profiling
• Where’s it from? DNA analysis
Stable isotope analysis
• How old is it? Radioisotope analysis
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - Casework
Examples:
Shahtoosh investigation - HMRC & WDNAS
• Difficult to identify by eye from samples, very good fakes!• Use DNA sequencing of single hairs to identify species
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - Casework
Examples:
Badger-baiting investigations - RSPCA, WDNAS & others
• Successful prosecution: e.g. Billington case• DNA Species ID from a single hair• Soil analysis, pollen analysis• Result: 200 hours CS, £1000 fine, vehicle
• Multiple cases ongoing• RSPCA and Police prosecutions• Broader wildlife investigations
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - Casework
Examples:
Wild bird laundering - RSPB, Norfolk Police & WDNAS
• Application of DNA profiling
• Investigation of parentage claims
• Captive bred or wild caught?
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - Facilitation
Making it easier to use forensic analysis:
DNA sampling kits:
• Designed to collect DNA from crime scenes
• Over 100 kits distributed so far
• Already being used in casework
Liaison with NWCU / PWCOs:
• Aim to facilitate rapid response in wildlife crime cases
• Designated point of contact with investigators
• Advice on call
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - Facilitation
Making it easier to use forensic analysis:
Funding:
• Forensic analysis costs money
• Investigations often hampered by cost
Forensic Analysis Fund
• Planned as a central pot of money for assisting analysis costs
• Proposal under review – TRACE match-funding initially
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - Training & Networks
Training in forensics:
• Police & Customs conference• PWCO training courses• CITES training courses• International training courses
• Raise awareness• Hands on experience• Ask questions, meet the FWG
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - R&D
Developing DNA profiling systems:1. DNA profiling birds of prey
• Aim to allow identification of illegal breeding claims
• Work funded by DEFRA, includes six species
O1 O2 O3 O4??
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - R&D
Developing DNA profiling systems:2. DNA profiling badgers
• Aim to allow individual matches between evidence items
• Work funded by RSPCA, supported by the Badger Trust
© Steve Jackson© Steve Jackson
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - R&D
Identifying Traditional Asian Medicines - Bear Products:1. Immunoassay field testing kit
• Aim to allow on-the-spot detection of bear products
• Work funded by WSPA
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - R&D
Identifying Traditional Asian Medicines - Bear Products:2. DNA Species Identification from Bear Bile
• Aim to provide definitive identification from tested products
• Work funded by Wildlife DNA Services and Bangor University
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - R&D
Identifying CITES-listed timbersDNA Species Identification of Ramin
• Aim to provide cost-effective, high throughput rapid test
• Kew – WDNAS collaboration, funded by DEFRA
Related species Ramin species
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Activities - Survey Work
Identifying Illegally Imported Meat:
• Aim to assess prevalence of CITES species
• Multi-agency approach
• Sampling work at Heathrow & London
• Forensic genetic species identification
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
PAW – FWG take home
Nat. Agency
FWG
Academics
Internationals
NGOs
ProsecutorsCustoms
Police
Reg. Agency
Wildlife investigations usually involve multiple agencies!
Forensic Lab
Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007
Further Information
PAW: www.defra.gov.uk/paw/
PAW FWG: www.tracenetwork.org
FWG contact: [email protected]
AcknowledgementsPAW FWG members
Dr Ross McEwing – Wildlife DNA Services