Chapter 19 Use of Molecular Genetics in Forensics and to Understand Species Biology Forensics: Detecting Illegal Hunting and Collecting. Poaching and illegal hunting are threats to a variety of endangered species and most countries have laws to protect threatened plants and animals. However, it is often difficult to obtain evidence to convict individuals suspected of illegally taking or trading in threatened species.

For example, a person wearing a vest containing eggs suspected of belonging to threatened bird species was apprehended at an Australian airport. The person simply squashed the eggs so that they could not be identified and thus avoided prosecution. Molecular genetic methods can be used in such cases to identify the origin of the biological material, including ivory, horns, eggs, turtle shells, meat, organs, feathers, hair, and plant material.

Molecular genetic techniques have assumed an important and growing role in detection of illegal hunting of wildlife. For example, molecular forensics was involved in the detection of meat from protected species of whales on sale in Japan and Korea. Analysis of mtDNA established that some of the whale meat was not from minke whales, for which Japan engages in “scientific” whaling, but from protected blue, humpback, fin, and Bryde’s whales.

In addition, some “whale” meat was dolphin, porpoise, sheep, and horse. Thus, not only was illegal whaling suspected, but consumers were being misled. Population Size ParentageSexingDiets