What is the primary mission of the USFWS Wildlife Forensics Laboratory?

The primary mission of the USFWS Wildlife Forensics Laboratory is to make species-specific identification of wildlife parts and products. This function is crucial in investigating wildlife crimes, preserving biodiversity, and enforcing laws pertaining to endangered species and other wildlife protection statutes. By accurately identifying species from various biological evidence such as feathers, bones, or animal parts, the laboratory aids law enforcement agencies in prosecuting poaching and trafficking cases effectively. The ability to link evidence to specific species also helps in understanding the impact of wildlife crime on those populations and informs conservation efforts.

While conducting field studies on wildlife populations and monitoring wildlife migration patterns are important for understanding and conserving ecosystems, they do not directly address the forensic needs related to wildlife crimes. Additionally, providing criminal background checks and services unrelated to wildlife identification falls outside the scope of the laboratory's operations. The focus of the laboratory is specifically on forensic science as it relates to wildlife law enforcement.