ABSTRACT
Wildlife officers have a wide variety of forensic techniques available for use in the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime. The wildlife forensic scientists may have to distinguish if a piece of leather on a watchband is made from a protected animal, like an elephant or a zebra, or if it comes from a non-protected animal, like a cow or a horse. Techniques similar to those used in a police crime laboratory are used to identify and analyze parts of animals as well as bullets, shot casings, paint chips, soil, and fibers found at the crime scene. Forensic necropsies should be performed by pathologists with formal training and experience, because these credentials will be examined if a case reaches the court. A major difference between an ordinary necropsy and a forensic necropsy relates to the completeness of records that are kept about the procedures and the results obtained.
