Wildlife DNA forensics is an applied field that has emerged from a synthesis of conservation genetic research and forensic genetic practice to meet the increasing need for investigative tools in wildlife law enforcement. This review describes the principal technologies and applications available to wildlife forensic geneticists, focussing on the four most common casework questions: What species is it? Where did it come from? Who did it come from? Was it captive bred? The conversion of established research tools into forensic identification systems is discussed, explaining the need for method validation at each stage of the analytical process, from sample collection to data analysis. The requirement for wildlife DNA forensic analysis to be performed under equivalent quality assurance standards to those of human forensic genetics is highlighted and approaches for the interpretation and presentation of DNA evidence are described. A perspective is provided on the potential for new genetic techniques and their future role in the increasingly complex fight to enforce the protection of endangered species. The review concludes with a number of recommendations for promoting a unified, rigorous approach to the development and application of wildlife DNA forensic techniques.
KEY WORDS: Wildlife crime · Legal · Illegal trade · Poaching · CITES · Species identification · DNA profiling · Population assignment
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Contribution to the Theme Section 'Forensic methods in conservation research'
OPEN PEN ACCESS CCESSEndang Species Res 9: [179][180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195] vidual identity of a sample. The subject has developed in parallel to human forensic genetics and has benefited from the horizontal transfer of molecular and statistical techniques; however, it remains a highly specialist area with its own distinct set of challenges, situated between wildlife conservation research and applied forensic science. With the development of national and international legislation to protect everdiminishing habitat and species diversity, DNA forensics is now becoming a key investigative tool to combat wildlife crime. At the same time, the way in which DNA evidence is generated and presented in court is coming under renewed scrutiny. This review introduces the subject of wildlife DNA forensics, highlighting the potential advantages and pitfalls surrounding this emerging field, and aims to provide recommendations for promoting a unified, rigorous approach to the development and application of wildlife DNA forensic techniques.
HISTORYThe use of genetic analysis to identify non-human evidence began shortly after the first DNA fingerprints were applied to human forensic investigation (Gill et al. 1985). The realization that the same technique could allow familial identification in birds (Burke & Bruford 1987) rapidly led to the use of these methods to verify captive breeding claims in cases where wild bird thef...