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Article for: The Davis Enterprise
Date: January 30, 2004
Author: Vanessa Gregory

CSI: ILLEGAL ANIMAL TRADE

The multi-billion dollar illegal trade in wild animals is an international business that increasingly threatens endangered species with extinction. It's easy for border officials and conservationists to identify an endangered animal by its fur or horns, but not all animals are destined to be trophies or exotic pets.

Some are used in traditional medicines and some, considered delicacies, may be eaten. How then can a legal cut of snake steak, for instance, be distinguished from the meat of an endangered snake species?

DNA analysis, say a group of Hong Kong researchers, might be the answer to questions like this. The researchers recently published a study in Forensic Science International that described their creation of a database cataloguing the DNA sequences of known snake species. They then compared the DNA sequences in the database to those taken from meat samples obtained from law enforcement officials and from a Hong Kong market. A match to the database positively determined the species of each mystery sample tested. The study's authors hope that their work can eventually help put a halt to the illegal trade and consumption of endangered species.

The use of DNA and other forensic science techniques to solve crimes involving animals is increasing. In 1988, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service founded The National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon to assist U.S. and international law enforcement authorities in solving and prosecuting crimes involving wildlife laws. The facility is the world's only crime lab dedicated exclusively to animals. Among its many projects and specific cases, the lab has developed handbooks that help border officials use visual clues to determine if ivory is legal or illegal. If the patterns indicate that the ivory's illegal, officials can confiscate it on the spot.

Like all crime labs, the Wildlife Forensics Laboratory uses science - whether it's DNA identification, ballistics, or, as in the case of ivory, observing physical patterns - to gather evidence that can be used to draw a conclusion. But a mystery need not be criminal to be solved with science.

Explorit Science Center's current exhibit, "Get a Clue! Solving Mysteries with Science," offers an introduction to the logic and methods of forensics that's appropriate for kids and enjoyable for parents. Visitors to "Get a Clue!" will learn about fingerprints, fiber analysis, and even DNA through engaging hands-on activities. Young detectives will have a chance to develop their logic as they detect clues, decipher meanings, and deduce conclusions.

It's forensics fun for the whole family at Explorit. No snake meat involved.

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "Get a Clue! Solving Mysteries with Science," which continues through Mar. 7. Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.