The use of DNA identification in prosecuting wildlife-traffickers in Australia: do the penalties fit the crimes?

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology
Rebecca N Johnson

Abstract

The use of genetic identification techniques in wildlife forensic investigations has increased significantly in recent years. The utilization of DNA is especially important when species identification using other methods are inconclusive. Australia has strict laws against illegal importation of wildlife as well as laws to protect its unique biodiversity from pests and diseases of quarantine concern. Two separate case studies in which genetic identification was essential for species identification are presented-the first involved illegally held shark fins, the second illegally imported live bird eggs. In the latter case genetic identification enabled charges to be laid for illegal importation of CITES Appendix I species. Australian laws allow for some of the highest penalties for illegal trade of wildlife compared to other countries, however only a fraction of cases are prosecuted and penalties applied to date have been lower than the maximum permitted. Both of the reported cases resulted in fines, and one in imprisonment of the offender, which provides a persuasive precedent for future prosecutions.

References

Feb 1, 1991·Journal of Molecular Evolution·D M IrwinA C Wilson
Aug 1, 1989·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·T D KocherA C Wilson
Sep 13, 2003·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Hsing-Mei HsiehJames Chun-I Lee
Oct 2, 2004·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Samuel K WasserMatthew Stephens
Jul 19, 2005·Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis·Robert N Reed
Aug 17, 2006·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Shelley C ClarkeMahmood S Shivji
Feb 16, 2007·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Nick DawnayRoger S Thorpe
Mar 16, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Samuel K WasserMatthew Stephens
Sep 12, 2007·Bioinformatics·M A LarkinD G Higgins
May 27, 2008·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Luke J Matthews, Alfred L Rosenberger
Jul 10, 2008·International Journal of Legal Medicine·James Chun-I LeeLi-Chin Tsai
Feb 14, 2009·Forensic Science International. Genetics·James Chun-I LeeHsing-Mei Hsieh
Dec 1, 2009·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Yasser Said El-SayedSalah M Abd El-Rahman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jul 24, 2010·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Linzi Wilson-Wilde
Sep 29, 2011·Molecular Ecology Resources·Iffat ParveenShashi B Babbar
Jun 1, 2011·Molecular Biology Reports·Hideaki AbeMiho Inoue-Murayama
Feb 20, 2018·Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources·Ved P KumarSurendra P Goyal

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.