Highly-trained morphologists, pathologists, geneticists, chemists and ancillary staff use cutting-edge technology to conduct analyses which guide wildlife criminal investigations, bolster prosecutions and increase compliance with wildlife protection laws.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy
ASHLAND, Ore. — Evidence collected in wildlife crime investigations across the United States and abroad can ultimately make its way to a specialized federal laboratory in Oregon, where scientists have examined approximately 250,000 pieces of evidence since 1989.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service highlighted the Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory during National Forensic Science Week. The agency describes the facility as the world’s only comprehensive, full-service wildlife forensics laboratory.
Morphologists, pathologists, geneticists and chemists at the laboratory analyze evidence submitted by wildlife inspectors and special agents, as well as federal, state and international wildlife law enforcement agencies.
Their findings can help guide criminal investigations, support prosecutions and identify evidence involving protected wildlife.
Since opening in 1989, the laboratory has worked on more than 16,000 cases involving approximately 250,000 pieces of evidence. Cases have included protected species ranging from elephants and rhinoceroses to condors, sharks and turtles.
Fish and Wildlife Service inspectors and special agents submit detained and seized property to the laboratory for analysis, providing investigators with scientific findings that can be used as evidence in wildlife enforcement cases.
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