Linkages Between Prosecution and Wildlife DNA-based Forensics

Participants during the Forensic lab tour at KWS

Kenya's invaluable wildlife resources are a target of illegal activities such as poaching and illegal exploitation. These illegal activities threaten the country’s wildlife resources and their habitats. Identification of trace evidence that can assist wildlife crime case by proving an offense has taken place, identifying an offender, linking an offender to both crime scene and items removed from a crime scene with that scene all form a critical part in compiling a case. In some cases no reliable methods for identification of wildlife products are available.

Moses Otiende KWS Molecular Biologist leads the lab tour

The participants at the recent Wildlife DNA Forensics Laboratory training on visiting the newly constructed forensic Lab recognized that Forensic requirements in wildlife sector indeed require a modern laboratory, capacity building and training in forensic sciences for wildlife officers,  as well as improved collaboration with local and  international partners including INTERPOL. In the meantime, appropriate policies that enhance compliance and enforcement of wildlife laws must be endorsed for the survival of species. The training was relevant in addressing issues of data sharing and synchronization between the laboratory and the database and data integrity measures in place within the laboratory.  

Dr. Gila Bargal talks during the Mock Court plenary session.

Some of the interesting topics discussed in this forum were an overview of Wildlife DNA-based Forensics, importance Forensic Pathology in wildlife crime prosecution and link to DNA-based wildlife forensics, the linkages between prosecution and forensics Elephant DNA and its use in law enforcement, and the challenges of preserving evidence, admissibility, court room challenges. Other critical components were administering a biological laboratory, preserving high standards, interacting with enforcement and prosecutors. The mechanisms of decontaminating and installing equipment were demonstrated, as well as species identification, legal standards, and the need for international cooperation. The most interesting part of the training workshop was that a Mock Court was set for the participants so as to find out how use of scientific procedures to examine, identify, and compare evidence from crime scenes, and to link the evidence with a suspect and a victim, which is specifically an animal, work in real Court.

Mock Court participants pose for group photo

Wildlife DNA is a potential refinement in use of scientific procedures to examine, identify, and compare evidence from wildlife crime scenes and linking this evidence with a suspect and a victim. Forensic science has a key role to play in curbing wildlife crimes because illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products affects the survival of these species. Populations of rhinos and elephants for instance have declined in recent years as a result of trade in their products.

Dr. Schindel (L) cross examines a witness in the Mock Court

In the year 2002, KWS embarked on developing a forensic technique for detecting bush meat. KWS employed the immuno-diffusion technique for wildlife meat identification.  This method, developed with assistance from University of Nairobi is considered easier and less expensive. KWS collaborates with the Government Chemist to identify suspected meat samples using precipitin method. The molecular based approach (using DNA) is yet to be used despite its complexity and cost factors.

Read Wildlife DNA Forensics Laboratory Training.