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bait. All further sampling for ancillary investigations is ideally done at the “first-responding” pathological lab with the staff aware of the individual requirements of sample-processing, -storage and -transport for the investigation in question. Carcasses/baits must be packaged in impermeable and tight sealing bags (e.g. body bags; see below) to prevent any contamination and exposure of any personnel during storage and transport. It may be useful to cover the head of the animal with a plastic bag that is fixed around the neck to prevent any contamination of the rest of the body with fluids/ingesta leaking from the mouth and nose during transport. Bones/teeth may be placed in cardboard boxes if completely dry. The items should be secured against movement during transport and the package must of course be sealed. 48 Hairs/feathers should be collected with tweezers and placed in paper envelops that are subsequently sealed. If suspected toxins are found at the crime site, it is best to consult an appropriate laboratory for mode of collection. Normally, tight sealing plastic containers will be appropriate. The same does apply to soil samples. Insects for entomological investigations may be collected directly at the crime site. However, an investigator with knowledge of this type of investigation should be tasked. Preferably, transporting the carcass to the pathological laboratory is done immediately after the crime scene investigation has finished. To avoid any contamination of the environment and to minimize degradation, the carcass should be packaged as follows: • Original tight sealed (body)-bag with unambiguous ID labelling (Source: Internet) • Rigid and tight sealing outer container (metal preferable to hard plastic) with Biohazard Warning Sign according to UN 3373 and “Forensic Evidence” sign as well as emergency contact details of receiving laboratory/person/agency (Source and © FIWI). 49 • Absorbing material (e.g. absorbent cotton) between outer container and body bag to prevent any spillage if bag is leaking, and to prevent movement of bag in outer container. • Cool packs/other cooling devices placed in container as necessary. Whenever possible, transport should be done by the authorities. In cases where this is not feasible, e.g. large carcasses, courier services that have both the capabilities and procedures to adhere to the required criminal investigation protocol/procedures and the handling of biological samples may be commissioned with the transport. Private persons (e.g. members of NGOs) should never be assigned to transporting or storing any evidence since this may lead to concerns regarding the chain of custody (see below) and hence the admissibility of the respective item in court. When immediate transportation to the lab is not possible (e.g. out of business hours of the lab), the CARCASS has to be stored cooled/refrigerated but NEVER FROZEN since this may lead to some ancillary investigations being unfeasible. Finding an adequate facility for storage of an animal-carcass in a criminal investigation may be challenging, though. Possible facilities may include cooling facilities for hunted game that are maintained by local hunters or cooling facilities at local hospitals or veterinary clinics. To complicate things, evidence should preferably be stored in a locked area with limited personnel access. However, this may be accomplished by using metal lockboxes to store the carcass in a non-restricted area under acceptable conditions. Recommended storage conditions for samples for ancillary testings are described in the respective chapter in the section “Laboratory Investigations in Suspected Wildlife Crime Cases”. As with other issues in wildlife crime investigations, it is advisable to check for storage options in advance. 50 5.5 Chain of custody This term refers to the continuous documentation of the custody, transport, transfer, analysis and final deposition of any item of evidence. Failure to adhere to this process may lead to evidence not being accepted in court. Each item of evidence should have its own chain of custody form that is sent along during transfer of the item. The form should include the following information: • Description of item • Date/Time/Names/Signature of individual and agency transferring and receiving item • Purpose for transfer • Analysis performed • Any alteration of the item A sample of a chain of custody form is found in the annex. 5.6 People to be interviewed in suspected wildlife crime cases Wildlife crime is mostly a phenomenon of rural settings with the local community often being more aware of things happening in their surroundings than in urban centres. Thus, to maximise the investigation efforts in suspected wildlife crime cases, interviews of various persons and stakeholders can be extremely useful. Persons that should be interviewed include: • Local hunters/local wildlife authorities: Often have a profound knowledge of the location and the local wildlife Ask for mounted wildlife cameras in the vicinity – they may yield useful material! • Landowner of crime site • Residents close to crime site • Locals regularly using area for recreational purposes (running, cycling, dog-walking) 51 6 LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS IN SUSPECTED WILDLIFE CRIME CASES 6.1 Veterinary pathological investigation 6.1.1 General Veterinary pathology investigations are the pivotal part in all circumstances that involve conspicuous dead wildlife. The pathologist may determine not only the cause of death, including manner (e.g. blunt trauma) and reason (e.g. vehicle collision), but also define any cause of ill health and the underlying pathology. Further, forensic pathologists are experts able to assess and evaluate the necessity of ancillary investigations (e.g. toxicological, microbiological etc.) as a result of the pathological findings. Therefore, a full and thorough pathologic investigation at a designated laboratory is of paramount importance in suspected illegal killings! Remember that carcasses are more than dead bodies; they are packages full of information and future prospects! The pathological investigation consists both of the macroscopic examination of the carcass and the tissues (= necropsy), and