DNA detective: a review of molecular approaches to wildlife forensics

Abstract

Illegal trade of wildlife is growing internationally and is worth more than USD$20 billion per year. DNA technologies are well suited to detect and provide evidence for cases of illicit wildlife trade yet many of the methods have not been verified for forensic applications and the diverse range of methods employed can be confusing for forensic practitioners. In this review, we describe the various genetic techniques used to provide evidence for wildlife cases and thereby exhibit the diversity of forensic questions that can be addressed using currently available genetic technologies. We emphasise that the genetic technologies to provide evidence for wildlife cases are already available, but that the research underpinning their use in forensics is lacking. Finally we advocate and encourage greater collaboration of forensic scientists with conservation geneticists to develop research programs for phylogenetic, phylogeography and population genetics studies to jointly benefit conservation and management of traded species and to provide a scientific basis for the development of forensic methods for the regulation and policing of wildlife trade.

CITES, wild plants, and opportunities for crime

“…It has been recognised that a socio-legal understanding of the illegal exploitation and destruction of natural resources is critical to successful prevention, detection and control (Herbig and Joubert 2006;Gibbs et al 2010). Considerable progress has been made in using multidisciplinary approaches that integrate diverse expertise to better address the complex challenge of preserving natural resources (Alacs et al 2010;Gibbs et al 2010;Lemieux 2015;Moreto 2016).…”

Fauna crime: elucidating the potential source and introduction history of European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus L.) into Lake Storsjøen, Norway

“…However, the expanding field of genetic methods and genetic markers (e.g. microsatellites and SNP's) offer a wide array of related applications in fauna crime related questions (Ogden et al 2009;Alacs et al 2010;Geller et al 2010;Ogden et al 2013;Johnson et al 2014). …”

DNA barcoding approaches for fishing authentication of exploited grouper species including the endangered and legally protected goliath grouper <i>Epinephelus itajara</i>

“…DNA barcoding) is very important because species may be identified from tissue samples in the absence of morphological characters (Frézal and Leblois 2008). In addition, several molecular techniques have been used to distinguish between legal and illegal products, to relocate animals for their natural populations, and to mark and track DNA profiles (Alacs et al 2012). Often, fish fillets are mislabeled as different species for marketing purposes or to disguise illegal capture and retail (Jacquet and Pauly 2008, Miller and Mariani 2010, Carvalho et al 2011a.…”