Overview of current practices in data analysis for wood identification. A guide for the different timber tracking methods

Today we have five types of timber tracking tools available. Each has its ownstrengths and limitations (see the Timber Tracking Tool Infogram), but togetherthey offer a broad range of methods that can assist us in identifying the botanical aswell as the geographic origin (provenance) of most kinds of timber samples, eventhose smaller than 1 cm³.With this guide we want to provide an overview of the current best-practicemethods used to analyse data derived from different wood identification methods,while presenting their respective strengths and limitations. We give advice on dataanalysis, from the development of reference data, through to the verification ofidentity and provenance of unknown samples against the reference database. We endwith an expert view on combining methods for wood identification and discusshow timber identification possibilities could expand in the future.The guide is meant for all researchers doing identification work to support regularlaw enforcement measures, initiatives for transparent supply chains, andcontinued scientific research. Undertaking forensic casework is qualitativelydifferent from undertaking scientific research (UNODC 2016)1. To support court cases,the chain of custody of evidence material must be tracked and reference materialmust be valid. How to fulfil all requirements for forensic timber identification will notbe discussed here. Instead, we refer to the best practice guide of the UNODC (2016)and the standards and guidelines of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Sciences.We hope that this guide will be a first step towards the harmonisation of dataanalysis procedures within the global network of wood identification experts; andwill facilitate collaborations, further innovations, and ensure reliable timber trackingmethods