A BREAKTHROUGH in the recovery of
human DNA could help police crack wildlife crimes, including the illegal
persecution of Scotland’s iconic birds of prey. Investigations could be
supported by new research into retrieving human DNA found at crime scenes.
PUBLISHED: 18:49, Fri, Apr
20, 2018 | UPDATED: 19:04, Fri, Apr 20, 2018
GETTY / SALTIRE EDINBURGH
DNA testing could help catch
wildlife criminals who harm birds of prey
The research was initiated by the
Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland and carried out by
the Scottish Police Authority’s (SPA) Forensic Services, the Scottish
Government and the University of Strathclyde.
It found DNA can be traced on traps
that have been outside for at least 10 days, and from rabbit baits and bird
carcasses at crime scenes after at least 24 hours. Until now, efforts to
prosecute have been hampered by a lack of evidence.
The RSPB’s most recent Birdcrime
report revealed there were nine confirmed incidents of raptor persecution in
Scotland in 2016, but not a single prosecution.
It was claimed the number was
likely to be “the tip of the iceberg”, as many illegal killings go undetected
or unreported.
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