Wildlife protection: demonstrability of wildlife crime with forensic DNA analysis Casework applications

SUMMARY Background: Recently, wildlife poaching as a part of wildlife crime caused a serious decline for several species. Integration of novel methods or specific applications into forensic sciences increases the range of available actions against these global activities. Objectives: The goal of our paper is to present some recent challenges and limitations of Hungarian wildlife forensics, call attention to these problems, and increase the veterinary profession’s interest in wildlife crime investigation. Materials and Methods: In our presented cases several types of samples – meals (muscles), hairs, swabs, different evidence materials (handkerchief papers, textiles, hunting tools, secondary surfaces, transferred materials) – were examined by DNA analyses after (morphological) selection. The targets of our PCR-based methods are located in both nuclear and mitochondrial genome. The species identification was carried out by multiplex analyses of mtDNA Cyto chrome (b) region. Additionally, as requested by authorities for the different level of individualisation, the red deer-specific nuDNA STRs (10 loci in two 5-plex) or mtDNA control region – of Sus scrofa (CR 15435-16680) and Cervus elaphus (CR 15442-16357) – were genotyped, or sequenced. Results and Discussion: The professional experiences and the legal conse quences of presented caseworks reveal the usefulness of forensic genetics in solving Hungarian wildlife crimes. Where persons are skilled in this discipline, the genetic evidence can play an important role in police investigation as well as in the legal process