Wildlife forensic science


Wildlife forensic science is forensic science applied to legal issues involving wildlife.

Laboratories and organizations

With the initiative of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Science, the Scientific Working Group for Wildlife Forensic Sciences was formed in 2011.

Scope

While animals and plants are the victims in the crimes of illegal wildlife trade and animal abuse, society also pays a heavy price when those crimes are used to fund illegal drugs, weapons and terrorism. Links between human trafficking, public corruption and illegal fishing have also been reported. The continued development and integration of wildlife forensic science as a field will be critical for successful management of the many significant social and conservation issues related to the illegal wildlife trade and wildlife law enforcement.