Course Introduction

FSP 503 : Wildlife Forensics

  • Course Outline
  • Curriculum
  • FAQ
  • Case Studies
  • Reviews

Wildlife Forensic is comparably a brand new learning field of analysis and education for college kids and scientists, during which the whole course material deals with the study of life creatures and their behaviour and adaptation with the encircling. A life Specialist is the one who studies concerning completely different life species and their life cycles, their habits, and natural habitats.


Wildlife Forensic professional will a similar task as the other Forensic Investigator would do. The task of such associate professionals is collection proof from crime scenes, analysing weapons and, determinative and establishing the explanation for death. However, in contrast to criminal Forensic investigation, the victim and also the criminal is an associate animal instead of human, except, just in case of illegal preparation, hunting, commercialism, and mercantilism.


Specifically, Wildlife Forensic is outlined as, that special discipline of Science that is applied to answer the legal queries handling the involvement of life. Society pays an important value, once a criminal offense is committed against plants and animals as well as illegal life trade and abuse against animals. This commission of a crime against such innocuous creatures not solely negatively impacts the balance of the character however additionally, the total raised from such crimes is accustomed with raising funds by encouraging numerous different grievous and bestial crimes as illegal drug supply, weapons, terrorism, human trafficking and so.


The course content of the topic is specially designed keeping in mind the main concern, i.e. Nature Conservation by providing ample protection to the endangered species, which are one in all the distinctive and most special assets of Mother Nature. Major life crimes, evidence & law methodologies, specimen identification, lawless mercantilism, killing, searching, and preparation, exporting, life Genetic & DNA Forensics, species management, and conservation are a few major fields of scope lined under this subject.


Wildlife Forensic, to a bigger extent, is understood to contribute within the Nature Conservation, because the crime of preparation of sure species may be prevented solely by the contribution of a life Forensic professional. Besides, it's a robust tool in bridging the gap between biological science conservation and law enforcement. In addition, this science additionally provides Forensic genetic detection and analysis technology to make use of the increasing poaching and illegal trading as fact-finding tools by life enforcement bodies.


Wildlife Forensic is that rising trend within the huge and rapidly developing boundaries of Forensic that is understood to be one in all the foremost powerful and reliable tools for the character conservation; because it has tested its bravery in preventing illegal domestic and life preparation. Wildlife Forensic opens a large panorama before Forensic Science students additionally as Nature Conservationists.

  • Level I : Wildlife Forensics

    MODULE 1 – WILDLIFE FORENSICS

    From this module, students will able to acquaint themselves with wildlife forensic that is the scientific procedure to investigate the wildlife. Wildlife forensic has a huge scope and career, as many species are in danger. For preserving the wild flora and fauna, many institutes have been developed in which training of wildlife protection is given to the people. This module also covers the qualification of wildlife forensic experts, role of wildlife forensic scientists, and forensic significance of wildlife forensic.

    MODULE 2 – BASIC CONCEPT OF ECOLOGY

    This module focusses on the interaction among the organism and environment. Ecology consists the earth science, biology, and geography in which the energy flow, nutrient cycling, species diversity, population dynamics, ecological succession, and soil are covered. This module also includes the ecological survey (the identification of habits or species that exist in the area at the time of survey).

    MODULE 3 – INTRODUCTION TO WILDLIFE CRIME

    This module includes wildlife crime (crime against flora and fauna) and their causes. In wildlife crime, the animals are the victims as illegal trade of animals, traditional medicine, and keeping wildlife as pets. This module also defines how the wild animals become the cause of an incident like deer and road traffic accidents, scavenging, infection hazards, carnivore- livestock conflicts, etc.

    MODULE 4 – TYPES OF WILDLIFE CRIME

    Through this module, students get to know about the type of crime against wildlife. The wildlife crimes are done in different ways like hunting, poaching, international wildlife crime (smuggling), and domestic wildlife crime. The wildlife crime is done for the demand of elephant ivory, rhino horn, tiger products, etc. This module also covers the Invasive Non-Native Species and their prevention, eradication, and an Invasive Species Strategy.

    MODULE 5 – MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE PROTECTED AREAS

    Under this module, students will be introduced to management strategies for protected areas such as objectives and resource studies. Analysis of surrounding region, planning of boundaries, management zones, communications, staff, and visitor amenities will be introduced in this module. The concept of the management programme, establishing control habitat and wildlife management, tourism, finance, wildlife in managed forests, and exploited forests. Indian, American, and South East Asian case histories will introduced and addressed to the potential management inputs and exploration needs to permit such inputs.

  • Level II : Wildlife Forensics

    MODULE 1 – WILDLIFE FORENSICS

    From this module, students will able to acquaint themselves with wildlife forensic that is the scientific procedure to investigate the wildlife. Wildlife forensic has a huge scope and career, as many species are in danger. For preserving the wild flora and fauna, many institutes have been developed in which training of wildlife protection is given to the people. This module also covers the qualification of wildlife forensic experts, role of wildlife forensic scientists, and forensic significance of wildlife forensic.

    MODULE 2 – BASIC CONCEPT OF ECOLOGY

    This module focusses on the interaction among the organism and environment. Ecology consists the earth science, biology, and geography in which the energy flow, nutrient cycling, species diversity, population dynamics, ecological succession, and soil are covered. This module also includes the ecological survey (the identification of habits or species that exist in the area at the time of survey).

    MODULE 3 – INTRODUCTION TO WILDLIFE CRIME

    This module includes wildlife crime (crime against flora and fauna) and their causes. In wildlife crime, the animals are the victims as illegal trade of animals, traditional medicine, and keeping wildlife as pets. This module also defines how the wild animals become the cause of an incident like deer and road traffic accidents, scavenging, infection hazards, carnivore- livestock conflicts, etc.

    MODULE 4 – TYPES OF WILDLIFE CRIME

    Through this module, students get to know about the type of crime against wildlife. The wildlife crimes are done in different ways like hunting, poaching, international wildlife crime (smuggling), and domestic wildlife crime. The wildlife crime is done for the demand of elephant ivory, rhino horn, tiger products, etc. This module also covers the Invasive Non-Native Species and their prevention, eradication, and an Invasive Species Strategy.

    MODULE 5 – CAPTURE AND HANDLING OF WILD ANIMALS

    This module includes the method and techniques for capturing the animals. Sometimes the drug immobilization is done for handling the animals that include Pistol, Rifle, Jab stick, Blowpipe, Crossbow, and Dart design. These drug immobilization has some responses, side effects, drug action, dosages, safety measures, and complications. This module also covers the transportation of animal, Individual’s Identification- Behavioral Idiosyncrasies, Passive Marking Collars, Branding, Rings, etc. and Dynamic Marking- Beta Light and Radio-Tracking-Harnesses.

    MODULE 6 – SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION AND PROVENANCE

    This module defines the taxonomy of plants in which the plant morphology, vegetative and flower characteristics, wood anatomy, and traditional medicines are covered. This module also defines animal identification through morphology, museum services, Skeleton, Skull, Horns, Antlers, Tusks (Ivory) and Teeth, etc. and feather identification and bird eggs.

    MODULE 7 – MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE PROTECTED AREAS

    Under this module, students will be introduced to management strategies for protected areas such as objectives and resource studies. Analysis of surrounding region, planning of boundaries, management zones, communications, staff, and visitor amenities will be introduced in this module. The concept of the management programme, establishing control habitat and wildlife management, tourism, finance, wildlife in managed forests, and exploited forests. Indian, American, and South East Asian case histories will introduced and addressed to the potential management inputs and exploration needs to permit such inputs.

  • Level III : Wildlife Forensics

    MODULE 1 – WILDLIFE FORENSICS

    From this module, students will able to acquaint themselves with wildlife forensic that is the scientific procedure to investigate the wildlife. Wildlife forensic has a huge scope and career, as many species are in danger. For preserving the wild flora and fauna, many institutes have been developed in which training of wildlife protection is given to the people. This module also covers the qualification of wildlife forensic experts, role of wildlife forensic scientists, and forensic significance of wildlife forensic.

    MODULE 2 – BASIC CONCEPT OF ECOLOGY

    This module focusses on the interaction among the organism and environment. Ecology consists the earth science, biology, and geography in which the energy flow, nutrient cycling, species diversity, population dynamics, ecological succession, and soil are covered. This module also includes the ecological survey (the identification of habits or species that exist in the area at the time of survey).

    MODULE 3 – INTRODUCTION TO WILDLIFE CRIME

    This module includes wildlife crime (crime against flora and fauna) and their causes. In wildlife crime, the animals are the victims as illegal trade of animals, traditional medicine, and keeping wildlife as pets. This module also defines how the wild animals become the cause of an incident like deer and road traffic accidents, scavenging, infection hazards, carnivore- livestock conflicts, etc.

    MODULE 4 – TYPES OF WILDLIFE CRIME

    Through this module, students get to know about the type of crime against wildlife. The wildlife crimes are done in different ways like hunting, poaching, international wildlife crime (smuggling), and domestic wildlife crime. The wildlife crime is done for the demand of elephant ivory, rhino horn, tiger products, etc. This module also covers the Invasive Non-Native Species and their prevention, eradication, and an Invasive Species Strategy.

    MODULE 5 – CAPTURE AND HANDLING OF WILD ANIMALS

    This module includes the method and techniques for capturing the animals. Sometimes the drug immobilization is done for handling the animals that include Pistol, Rifle, Jab stick, Blowpipe, Crossbow, and Dart design. These drug immobilization has some responses, side effects, drug action, dosages, safety measures, and complications. This module also covers the transportation of animal, Individual’s Identification- Behavioral Idiosyncrasies, Passive Marking Collars, Branding, Rings, etc. and Dynamic Marking- Beta Light and Radio-Tracking-Harnesses.

    MODULE 6 – SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION AND PROVENANCE

    This module defines the taxonomy of plants in which the plant morphology, vegetative and flower characteristics, wood anatomy, and traditional medicines are covered. This module also defines animal identification through morphology, museum services, Skeleton, Skull, Horns, Antlers, Tusks (Ivory) and Teeth, etc. and feather identification and bird eggs.

    MODULE 7 – DNA TESTING AND WILDLIFE CRIME

    The module DNA testing and wildlife crime include the collection, preservation of DNA evidence of wildlife through which we can know about the endangered species and save them by inserting their DNA into other species. The DNA is preserved for the analysis by different methods such as protein polymorphisms, DNA quantification, RFLP, PCR, SNP, and emerging techniques. These DNA data and human DNA data is secured in the database for further examination.

    MODULE 8 – CITIES-CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES AND WILD FAUNA AND FLORA

    Species of flora and fauna that are currently in danger to extinct are termed as Endangered Species by National and International Organizations. CITES is an organization that works for the endangered species. It manages all the details for endangered species. This module also covers the endangered species act of 1973.

    MODULE 9 – MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE PROTECTED AREAS

    Under this module, students will be introduced to management strategies for protected areas such as objectives and resource studies. Analysis of surrounding region, planning of boundaries, management zones, communications, staff, and visitor amenities will be introduced in this module. The concept of the management programme, establishing control habitat and wildlife management, tourism, finance, wildlife in managed forests, and exploited forests. Indian, American, and South East Asian case histories will introduced and addressed to the potential management inputs and exploration needs to permit such inputs.

    MODULE 10 – WILDLIFE ECOTOURISM

    It will emphasize on objectives, planning, and economics tourism. Ecotourism, protected areas in India, development of interpretative facilities, visitor characteristics, expectations and motivations, sustainability in wildlife tourism, planning ecotourism in protected areas, harvesting by management or hunting licenses, will be introduced in this module. Case studies of Periyar Tiger Reserve, Keoladeo National Park, Kanha National Park, and Jim Corbet National Park and Sunderbans Tiger Reserve. Limitations and problems of ecotourism, ecotourism as a way for sustainable management of natural resources, local livelihoods, and ecotourism like nomadic grazing, agro will be explored in this course module.

    MODULE 11 – LEGAL ASPECTS OF WILDLIFE FORENSIC

    Through this module, students will be familiarized with comprehensive knowledge regarding the legal aspects of Wildlife Forensics, Legal consideration, Penalties and Sentencing, Policing Wildlife Crime, National Wildlife Crime Unit, Recording Crime Agency, National Crime Agency, Civil Enforcement, Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime, Writing Reports and Appearing in Courts, Conclusion, and Recommendations will be the part of this course module.

    MODULE 12 – WILDLIFE FORENSICS, CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES, AND LAWS

    The focus of this module will be on forest policy- foundation, need, and latitudes. National forest policies of 1894, 1952 and 1988 and salient structures forest law, Indian forest act 192, forest act 1980 and rules 2003, environmental - Protection Act 1986, Indian biological diversity act 2002, Pollution policy in practice, environmental quality standards, environmental guidelines, regulations and rules and manifold case studies relating to acts above specified with the initial idea of IPC, CrPC. It provides an overview of the major international agreements such as UNFCCC, CBD, CITES, ITTA, Kyoto Protocol TRIPS, and other. Preservation laws, national wildlife conservation policy, Wildlife Act-1972, conservation movement in India, socio-economic, political realities, and different phases of the conservation.

  • What is Wildlife Forensics?

    Wildlife Forensics, as the name clearly suggests is the application of the scientific techniques for the purpose of law, in order to conserve nature by investigating the cases pertaining to illegal trading of animal-related goods.

  • How can I become an Expert in Wildlife Forensic?

    The learners are introduced to the challenges faced as an Expert in Wildlife Forensic through the course to frame their mindset into an learning Expert. This course would make them aware of the wildlife crimes and how to tackle them. 

  • What are the responsibilities as an Expert of Wildlife Forensics?

    As a Wildlife Forensic Expert, one has to primarily conserve Mother Nature by aiding in investigation of crimes related to the wildlife. These include identification of specimen, species, searching, analysis of evidence and conserving them tp form an opinion. 

  • What are the scope and the opportunistic aspects of the course?

    As an Expert, learner can be appointed by bodies both Government and Private, concerning on conserving the wildlife and solving the crimes related to it. Some Forensic Labs are also open to such individuals having expertise in Wildlife Forensic. 

  • Where can I contact in case of any queries?

    You can write to us at education@sifs.in or call us at +91-1147074263 or WhatsApp us +91-7303913002 or +91-7303913003.


Italy Poaching Case

DNA molecular techniques were used in a Forensic investigation involving the poaching of wildlife in a national park of Italy. A poacher, after having snared a wild boar (Sus scrofa) sow, knifed it to death. The animal was retrieved by conservation officers at the scene before the poacher could remove the carcass. Subsequently, the suspect denied the charges. During a search of his home, a blood-stained knife was confiscated. A method to identify the species from the DNA extracted from the stains revealed the blood to be that of the non-domestic form of Sus scrofa. Further DNA typing for individual identity using species-specific single tandem repeats or microsatellites (STRs) showed that the DNA on the knife matched that of the poached boar. Based upon the Forensic evidence obtained, the suspect was convicted of poaching and of cruelty to animals.

Mahima Sharma

5

It was a great experience! The course and syllabus was very well framed and enriching. Even the webinars are very informative!

Dr. Sankalpa Nitin Navathar

5

It was a very informative course. Learnt a lot. This was the best choice i had made. Thanks a lot for this course. I am gladly looking forward for various subjects. :)

Dr. Jijin M J

4

Its very good center to learn about forensic . It is the est platform for beginners like me.

Dr. Neoma Rozario

5

The course was very insightful and broadened my knowledge in the field of forensic science. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and learnt a lot. Thank you.

 

Instructors

Ashi Yadav

Ashi Yadav

Scientific Officer
Dr. Ranjeet Singh

Dr. Ranjeet Singh

Managing Director
Femin Dominic

Femin Dominic

Assistant Professor

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