Non-destructive technique for individualizing trace evidence analysis of tiger nail

Abstract

Tigers are on the brink of extinction. The greatest threat comes from criminals who control an illegal trade spanning countries and continents. Those animals are illegally killed or poached owing to the high value of their fleece on the black market, and their body parts are used in traditional medicines and jewellery articles. The illegal trade in tiger and lion are one of the most high profile, destructive and urgent forms of wildlife crime. The enforcement response needs to employ advanced, intelligence-led methods of investigation and the engagement of the whole criminal justice system. The response must target the individuals who control this lucrative trade and bring them to justice, and also seize any assets obtained through their crimes. Tiger nail evidence as one of such criteria can provide important information for crime investigation. The present study deals with the new non-destructive technique namely FTIR-ATR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-Attenuated total reflection) and VSC (video spectral comparator) analysis of the Royal Bengal Tiger claw (nail) applied for the first time in wildlife crime investigation especially in a forensic context.