Modern DNA typing in Wildlife Crime Investigation

The field of conservation genetics has developed in the recent years to support the application of molecular genetic analysis to problems and questions encountered in species conservation. As a matter of fact today, authorities are using forensic methods to track and trace the origins of seized wildlife products, providing the means to tackle enforcement problems in the country where the species was found originally, rather than just the point where the attempt was made to smuggle it out of the continent.

Illegal poaching for wildlife trophies and bush meat is a pervasive and extremely serious conservation problem facing wildlife in Kenya today. Through concerted efforts by the Kenya government, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the conservation partners, they have consistently raised awareness all over the country on the negative effects that poaching has on our economy.

Despite strong intelligence and investigatory capacities by KWS, there has always been a challenge of having strong legal evidence in courts to convict suspects arrested for committing these crimes. By establishing a forensic and genetics laboratory that will employ modern DNA technology, this challenge will be surmounted because it will be possible to connect exhibits (wildlife trophies and bushmeat) to specific poaching incidents by analyzing and comparing the DNA results and present them to investigations personnel.

Other key milestones through the Barcode of Wildlife Project Kenya will be to help in tracking genetic status of declining wildlife populations, determine isolated and special gene pools that require special protection, and enhance disease diagnosis, surveillance and monitoring in wildlife populations.

According to a paper on Contribution to the Theme Section ‘Forensic methods in conservation research’ by ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 2009, developing the field of wildlife DNA forensics calls for: "(1) Greater coordination and exchange of validated population data, reference samples and protocols, (2) Establishment of a network of accredited wildlife DNA forensic laboratories, (3) Directed research to address specific conservation law enforcement needs." 

Kenya speaks out in Barcode of Wildlife Project Kenya 2014 video below: