Standards in wildlife forensic science, with a focus on non-human DNA analysis

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Genetics
• Wildlife Conservation

Background:

• Genetic data is crucial for forensic casework, requiring controlled environments and strict quality standards.
• Reviews indicate wildlife forensic laboratories lag in developing and adhering to appropriate casework standards.
• This gap can compromise the reliability of wildlife forensic evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address concerns regarding standards in wildlife forensic laboratories.
• To document existing standards and available assessment/competency testing systems.
• To review the status of validated reference genetic databases for wildlife forensics.

Main Methods:

• Documentation of produced standards in wildlife forensics.
• Highlighting available systems for assessment and competency testing.
• Reviewing the status of validated reference genetic databases.

Main Results:

• The paper identifies and reviews existing standards and quality assurance measures.
• It assesses the current state of competency testing and validation for wildlife forensic scientists.
• The availability and quality of reference genetic databases are evaluated.

Conclusions:

• Significant strides have been made in building capacity within the wildlife forensics field.
• An ongoing commitment exists to present high-quality wildlife forensic evidence in court.
• The findings support the need for continued development and adherence to robust standards.