Staffordshire University students are on a 'once in a lifetime' trip to learn about the role of forensics in tackling wildlife crime.
13 (Hons) Forensic Science And BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation students traveled Wildlife Forensics Academy (WFA) in South Africa, where he received specialized training in wildlife forensics to address crimes such as poaching and illegal animal trade.
Through lectures, practical sessions and field trips, the group learned about the current global scale of wildlife crime and how to manage, document and recover evidence from crime scenes. Many students also had the opportunity to work on a real case with WFA's Dr Greg Simpson and university lecturer Professor Claire Gwinnett.
First-year forensic science student Isla Kelly called the experience transformative.
“Learning about wildlife crime on this trip has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life,” he said. “Talking in depth about a topic that many people in the UK know about but is rarely discussed in detail has opened my eyes to another side of forensics that I would never have thought about before.
“The trip included both theoretical and practical aspects of wildlife forensics, such as learning about South African ecology in the classroom and also on hikes and road trips. We spent a lot of time in both the laboratory and WFA's simulated crime-scene facilities, which provided valuable insight into situations often encountered in the field.”
Professor Claire Gwinnett of Staffordshire University helped set up WFA's training courses in South Africa, helping the team design the curriculum and incorporate cutting-edge forensic techniques.
He said: “This trip has been an incredible opportunity for our students to gain practical insight into how forensics can be used to tackle wildlife crime and contribute to protecting biodiversity and endangered species around the world.
“Wildlife crime is a growing issue and we need future forensic professionals with the right skills to address it. The scientific methods our students learn on their degrees can be adapted and applied to investigating crimes against protected species – DNA analysis, trace evidence examination, and crime scene documentation can all be used to link suspects to wildlife crimes and enhance sentencing.”
Professor Gwinnett is an internationally renowned expert in fiber analysis, including animal hair. During the visit, a new Forensic Animal Hair for Wildlife Crime Investigation Research Group was established, with Gwinnett training students from Staffordshire University, researchers from WFA, Stellenbosch University (South Africa) and Saxe University (Netherlands) in animal hair testing.
The group will now collaborate on new research into the inter and intra-variation of microscopic features in the hair of animals victimized by wildlife crime, including African lions and giraffes.
Gwinnett commented, “Animal hair is actually more interesting than human hair.” “Each species has its own distinctive characteristics. In wildlife crime, this helps to identify an animal, trace the origin of poached animal products, or link animals and people to a crime scene.”
WFA CEO Andro Vos said: “The new Forensic Animal Hair for Wildlife Crime Investigation Research Group is fantastic and gives a new horizon for research at WFA; it is invaluable to us to collaborate with Professor Gwinnett on this.”
Isla is one of the students who will continue this research at Staffordshire University in the UK.
“This is an amazing opportunity to help Professor Claire Gwinnett with her research, sampling and analyzing giraffe hair, which is something not many first-year students can say they have done.”
She said: “Overall, this trip has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience South African culture as well as learn a lot about the challenges local law enforcement faces in the fight against poaching and wildlife crime, and I would strongly encourage anyone to take this trip.”
The story of the WFA and its beginnings – including the involvement of Staffordshire University – has recently been turned into a book by its founder Andro Vos. Following the trail – from dream to a global weapon against wildlife crime Will be launched globally on March 25.
Find out more about studying at Staffordshire University at the Open Day – book your place.