1. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 The Forensic Working Group Profiling the Profilers: A Review of FWG Activity Dr Rob Ogden

2. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Wildlife Crime in the UK A Partnership Approach: Members:160 organizations Government (Police, Customs, DEFRA, EA) NGOs – e.g. TRAFFIC, RSPCA, RSPB Commercial – BASC, S.U.N. Independent specialists – e.g. labs, vets etc. All stakeholders welcome provided they uphold the law PAW

3. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 An Introduction to the FWG What? Who? Why? How? PAW Steering Group 123456789 PAW Secretariat - DEFRA FWG - Est. 1996

4. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 An Introduction to the FWG What? Who? Why? How? Government - DEFRA - HMRC CITES - Police Forensic - FSS - CSL - WDNAS Academic - Cardiff Uni. NGO - RSPB - RSPCA - TRAFFIC - TRACE Nat. Institutes. - RBG Kew

5. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 An Introduction to the FWG What? Who? Why? How? Role: To assess forensic techniques for wildlife crime To disseminate latest research and casework To promote and advise on the use of forensics To identify current and future needs To support R&D into new techniques

6. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 An Introduction to the FWG What? Who? Why? How? Activities: Undertake casework Facilitate the application of forensic analysis Develop networks, provide training Plan and implement research projects

7. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - Casework Questions:Techniques: What is it?Morphological ID DNA species ID Immunological ID Who is it? RelationshipsDNA profiling Where’s it from?DNA analysis Stable isotope analysis How old is it?Radioisotope analysis

8. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - Casework Examples: Shahtoosh investigation - HMRC & WDNAS Difficult to identify by eye from samples, very good fakes! Use DNA sequencing of single hairs to identify species

9. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - Casework Examples: Badger-baiting investigations - RSPCA, WDNAS & others Successful prosecution: e.g. Billington case DNA Species ID from a single hair Soil analysis, pollen analysis Result: 200 hours CS, £1000 fine, vehicle Multiple cases ongoing RSPCA and Police prosecutions Broader wildlife investigations

10. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - Casework Examples: Wild bird laundering - RSPB, Norfolk Police & WDNAS Application of DNA profiling Investigation of parentage claims Captive bred or wild caught?

11. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - Facilitation Making it easier to use forensic analysis: DNA sampling kits: Designed to collect DNA from crime scenes Over 100 kits distributed so far Already being used in casework Liaison with NWCU / PWCOs: Aim to facilitate rapid response in wildlife crime cases Designated point of contact with investigators Advice on call

12. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - Facilitation Making it easier to use forensic analysis: Funding: Forensic analysis costs money Investigations often hampered by cost Forensic Analysis Fund Planned as a central pot of money for assisting analysis costs Proposal under review – TRACE match-funding initially

13. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - Training & Networks Training in forensics: Police & Customs conference PWCO training courses CITES training courses International training courses Raise awareness Hands on experience Ask questions, meet the FWG

14. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - R&D Developing DNA profiling systems: 1.DNA profiling birds of prey Aim to allow identification of illegal breeding claims Work funded by DEFRA, includes six species O1O2 O3 O4??

15. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - R&D Developing DNA profiling systems: 2. DNA profiling badgers Aim to allow individual matches between evidence items Work funded by RSPCA, supported by the Badger Trust © Steve Jackson

16. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - R&D Identifying Traditional Asian Medicines - Bear Products: 1. Immunoassay field testing kit Aim to allow on-the-spot detection of bear products Work funded by WSPA

17. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - R&D Identifying Traditional Asian Medicines - Bear Products: 2. DNA Species Identification from Bear Bile Aim to provide definitive identification from tested products Work funded by Wildlife DNA Services and Bangor University

18. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - R&D Identifying CITES-listed timbers DNA Species Identification of Ramin Aim to provide cost-effective, high throughput rapid test Kew – WDNAS collaboration, funded by DEFRA Related species Ramin species

19. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Activities - Survey Work Identifying Illegally Imported Meat: Aim to assess prevalence of CITES species Multi-agency approach Sampling work at Heathrow & London Forensic genetic species identification

20. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 PAW – FWG take home Nat. Agency FWG Academics Internationals NGOs Prosecutors Customs Police Reg. Agency Wildlife investigations usually involve multiple agencies! Forensic Lab

21. Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime – Strathclyde 2007 Further Information PAW:www.defra.gov.uk/paw/ PAW FWG: www.tracenetwork.org FWG contact:ross-mcewing@wdnas.com Me:rob-ogden@wdnas.com Acknowledgements PAW FWG members Dr Ross McEwing – Wildlife DNA Services