Investigating wildlife crime

Ranald Munro; Guy Shorrock

doi:10.22233/9781910443316.11

British Small Animal Veterinary Association , 109 (2016); https://doi.org/10.22233/9781910443316.11

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Investigating wildlife crime

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Authors: Ranald Munro and Guy Shorrock
From: BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties
Item: Chapter 11, pp 109 - 116
DOI: 10.22233/9781910443316.11
Copyright: © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Publication Date: December 2016

Abstract

The veterinary surgeon’s role in the investigation of wildlife crime falls within the developing specialist area of forensic veterinary medicine. The standard of investigation and reporting of alleged wildlife crime has improved markedly in recent times and, consequently, investigators have high expectations of the potential depth and quality of evidence provided by the veterinary profession. This chapter gives information to help veterinary surgeons recognize and record potential wildlife crimes to a standard that will assist the investigation process.

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Figures

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11.3

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11.3 Forensic examination equipment essentials: pens; labels; ruler; photographic scales. (© Simon Newbery)

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11.4

Various tapes are available for the identification of potential biohazards, highlighting evidential material or for sealing evidence containers. (© Simon Newbery) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.4 Various tapes are available for the identification of potential biohazards, highlighting evidential material or for sealing evidence containers. (© Simon Newbery)

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11.5

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11.5 Evidence bags are convenient, provide space for recording details and are readily sealed and resealed. (© Simon Newbery)

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11.6

Roe deer shot in the neck with a 12-bore shotgun from a distance of a few metres. Large numbers of shotgun pellets were found clustered within the wound. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.6 Roe deer shot in the neck with a 12-bore shotgun from a distance of a few metres. Large numbers of shotgun pellets were found clustered within the wound.

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11.7

Lateral radiograph of a dead rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) struck by shotgun pellets from a 12-bore shotgun. The distribution of pellets throughout the body indicates that the shooter was at a considerable distance from the rabbit. It is worth noting that many of the shotgun pellets would have passed above, below and to the sides of this rabbit. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.7 Lateral radiograph of a dead rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) struck by shotgun pellets from a 12-bore shotgun. The distribution of pellets throughout the body indicates that the shooter was at a considerable distance from the rabbit. It is worth noting that many of the shotgun pellets would have passed above, below and to the sides of this rabbit.

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11.8

Radiograph of a tawny owl (Strix aluco) showing the characteristic fragmentation pattern of a high-velocity rifle bullet. The radiodense ‘flying seagull’ shapes are fragments of the copper jacket. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.8 Radiograph of a tawny owl (Strix aluco) showing the characteristic fragmentation pattern of a high-velocity rifle bullet. The radiodense ‘flying seagull’ shapes are fragments of the copper jacket.

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11.10

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11.10 Carbamate formulations. Physical appearance can be an unreliable guide to the identity of specific compounds. (SASA © Crown Copyright)

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11.12

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11.12 Metaldehyde slug pellets mixed with sausage meat. (SASA © Crown Copypright)

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11.13

Ventrodorsal radiograph of a dead goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) with food in the crop (arrowed), but no signs of trauma or firearm injury. The radiodense objects scattered through the radiograph are pieces of stone/grit in the feathers. This goshawk was in good body condition and toxicology under the WIIS confirmed illegal poisoning in this bird and four other raptors. (© RSPB) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.13 Ventrodorsal radiograph of a dead goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) with food in the crop (arrowed), but no signs of trauma or firearm injury. The radiodense objects scattered through the radiograph are pieces of stone/grit in the feathers. This goshawk was in good body condition and toxicology under the WIIS confirmed illegal poisoning in this bird and four other raptors. (© RSPB)

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11.14

A pole trap consists of a spring trap set on the top of a post for the purpose of trapping any raptor that alights on it. They are often set near pheasant-rearing pens. (© G Shorrock, RSPB) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.14 A pole trap consists of a spring trap set on the top of a post for the purpose of trapping any raptor that alights on it. They are often set near pheasant-rearing pens. (© G Shorrock, RSPB)

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11.15

Compound fracture to the distal tibiotarsus, accompanied by considerable tearing and laceration of the skin, in a long-eared owl (Asio otus). This is a common type of injury in birds caught in spring traps. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.15 Compound fracture to the distal tibiotarsus, accompanied by considerable tearing and laceration of the skin, in a long-eared owl (Asio otus). This is a common type of injury in birds caught in spring traps.

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11.16

Fly eggs (arrowed) clustered on snare wire around the neck of a badger (Meles meles). Eggs are collected with a damp paintbrush or forceps. Half are preserved in alcohol and half are collected alive. © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.16 Fly eggs (arrowed) clustered on snare wire around the neck of a badger (Meles meles). Eggs are collected with a damp paintbrush or forceps. Half are preserved in alcohol and half are collected alive.

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11.17

Obtaining a blood sample from a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) for DNA analysis. If blood samples from a live animal or bird are required, regulations require that these samples are collected by a veterinary surgeon. (© G Shorrock, RSPB) © 2016 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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11.17 Obtaining a blood sample from a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) for DNA analysis. If blood samples from a live animal or bird are required, regulations require that these samples are collected by a veterinary surgeon. (© G Shorrock, RSPB)

References

British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) http://basc.org.uk/shooting/pest-and-predator-control/
Cooper JE and Cooper ME (2013) Wildlife Forensic Investigation: Principles and Practice . CRC Press, Boca Raton
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Di Maio VJM (1999) Gunshot Wounds: Practical aspects of firearms, ballistics, and forensic techniques . CRC Press, Boca Raton
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Huffman JE and Wallace JR (2012) Wildlife Forensics: Methods and applications . John Wiley and Sons Ltd, West Sussex
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[ref-ref11_1] British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) http://basc.org.uk/shooting/pest-and-predator-control/

[ref-ref11_2] Cooper JE and Cooper ME (2013) Wildlife Forensic Investigation: Principles and Practice . CRC Press, Boca Raton
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref11_3] Di Maio VJM (1999) Gunshot Wounds: Practical aspects of firearms, ballistics, and forensic techniques . CRC Press, Boca Raton
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref11_4] Hall M , Whitaker A and Richards C (2012) Forensic entomology. In: Forensic Ecology Handbook: From Crime Scene to Court , ed. N Márquez-Grant and J Roberts, pp. 11–140. Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref11_5] Huffman JE and Wallace JR (2012) Wildlife Forensics: Methods and applications . John Wiley and Sons Ltd, West Sussex
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref11_6] Munro R and Munro H (2008) Animal Abuse and Unlawful Killing; Forensic Veterinary Pathology . Saunders Elsevier, Edinburgh
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref11_7] Newbery S and Munro R (2011) Forensic veterinary medicine 1. Investigation involving live animals. In Practice 33 , 220–227 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref11_8] PAW Forensic Working Group (2014) Wildlife Crime. A guide to the use of forensic and specialist techniques in the investigation of wildlife crime . http://www.tracenetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Wildlife-Crime-use-of-forensics-FWG-April-2014.pdf
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[ref-ref11_9] PAW Scotland (2013) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/paw-scotland/types-of-crime/Trappingsnaring

[ref-ref11_10] Robertson I and Thrall D (2013) Digital radiographic imaging. In: Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology , 6th edn, ed. DE Thrall, pp. 22–27. Saunders Elsevier, St Louis
[Google Scholar]