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Winter 2003-2004

Special Report: Looking for Clues
Frontlines

Lawbreakers No Match for Ranger-Dog Duor

"Operation Snow Plow" Update

Face to Face Communications: Rapport is just a wave away.
Feature:

Wildlife investigators fly and spy.

The Wildlife Violators Compact

Soaring to new Heights "The california condor recovery program"

International Digest: Updates and case summaries from agencies and associations around the world
Articles: Hooked on fishing Not on durgs in New Jersey
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 

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The National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory was established in 1989 as the first full service crime laboratory in the world devoted to wildlife law enforcement. As such, the mission of the lab was to provide forensic support to the wildlife law enforcement efforts of special agents, game wardens and conservation officers throughout the United States and in the 140 some countries that had signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Much of the international work would be conducted through the Wildlife Subgroup of Interpol.


To accomplish this mission, a lab director was selected; a modern 23,000 square foot laboratory facility was designed and constructed; twelve scientists, technicians and support staff were hired; and the lab was equipped with $1,000,000 worth of what was then, state of the art analytical instrumentation. Queries of the lab's user groups were conducted, priorities were established, and basic evidence handling protocols were put into place.

The work of the lab had begun. As a new field of forensic science, wildlife forensics had three basic goals.

1. T o identify the species source of wildlife parts and products submitted as evidence.

2. To link suspect, victim and crime scene with physical evidence.

3. To determine cause of death.

Fifteen years later, the mission and goals of the lab remain unchanged, but the laboratory is now a very different and much more interesting place. It will be even more interesting when the expansion of the lab facility is completed, sometime in 2009. So what has changed during these fifteen years? Let's take a look. 

 

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"Great job…some good new ideas and good format.
Just wanted to send along my congratulations on a well-done effort."
Don Hastings, founder and former editor International Game Warden magazine.

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