As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Monday 7 May 2018

DNA to help find suspects in bird of prey offences



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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