Could the forensic analysis techniques used by CSI units effectively curb the illegal $23 billion wildlife trading industry?

In a concerted global effort to combat wildlife crime, various organisations and law enforcement agencies are employing innovative techniques to protect endangered species.

In Southeast Asia, TigerBase, a DNA registry for captive tigers, is being developed to trace these big cats back to their points of origin. Meanwhile, in Thailand, efforts to curb wildlife and weapons law violations continue, with four individuals arrested on suspicion of poaching protected species and violating gun laws. Notably, among those arrested was Premchai Karnasuta, a prominent Thai tycoon. The scientific evidence collected from the crime scene was critical in bringing Karnasuta to justice.

Across the globe, in Africa, the situation is equally dire. The African elephant population has seen a significant decline following the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species' (CITES) decision to permit a one-time sale of ivory to China in 2008. To combat this, wildlife experts are training law enforcement officers to back up their arrests with evidence that will stand up in court. The Kenya Wildlife Service, for instance, has used fingerprinting kits to arrest 15 people, including five police officers, after identifying suspects by their fingerprints on confiscated ivory.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has distributed a hundred fingerprinting kits to police and rangers in 23 countries in Africa and Asia. These kits have been tested successfully on a variety of materials, including rhino horns, tiger claws, hippopotamus teeth, sperm whale teeth, and eggshells. However, the effectiveness of these kits is hampered by underdeveloped fingerprint databases in Africa, reducing the chances of matches.

In India, the Forest Department and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau have implemented a cutting-edge intelligence-gathering system that led to multiple arrests and the dismantling of an elephant-poaching network. Meanwhile, in Mongolia, the ecological police have been trained and equipped with a DNA lab to combat wildlife crime.

However, the battle against wildlife crime is not just about technology. It is also about addressing the root causes of this illegal trade. High prices for illegal wildlife products, growing sophistication of insurgent groups and international crime organizations, and endemic corruption are all contributing factors.

In the fight to protect endangered species, innovations like TigerBase, Mark Moseley's forensics project to identify endangered gorillas and their body parts, and the IFAW's fingerprinting kits are crucial. These tools not only help in identifying poachers but also gather intelligence on criminal gangs involved in the wildlife trade. As the global community continues to work together, there is hope that one day, we will see an end to the illegal wildlife trade.

Could the forensic analysis techniques used by CSI units effectively curb the illegal $23 billion wildlife trading industry?