Laëtitia Maréchal, Ross Bartels, Georgina Gous, Angus Nurse
Abstract
When does interacting with animals become illegal? Can animals be used in criminal investigations? This chapter provides an overview of different human-animal interactions broadly related to forensic contexts, including wildlife crime, animal abuse and the use of animals in forensic science. The first section introduces what a wildlife crime is, the legislations as well as provides some insights into the types of offenders and their behaviours. Then, the chapter investigates animal abuse and introduces the graduation hypothesis, which links animal and domestic abuse, as well as provides a short overview of current knowledge around bestiality. The final section of the chapter explores how animals are used in forensic sciences, giving examples on detection dogs, forensic entomology, animal DNA and animal experimentations.
Reading recommendations
Flynn, C. P. (2012). Understanding animal abuse: A sociological analysis. Lantern Books.
Huffman, J. E., & Wallace, J. R. (2012). Wildlife forensics: methods and applications. John Wiley & Sons.
Mole, C. G., & Heyns, M. (2019). Animal models in forensic science research: justified use or ethical exploitation?. Science and Engineering Ethics, 25(4), 1095-1110.
Monsalve, S., Ferreira, F., & Garcia, R. (2017). The connection between animal abuse and interpersonal violence: A review from the veterinary perspective. Research in veterinary science, 114, 18-26.
Nurse, A., & Nurse, A. (2015). What Is Wildlife Crime?. Policing Wildlife: Perspectives on the Enforcement of Wildlife Legislation, 13-40.
Nurse, A., & Wyatt, T. (2020). Wildlife criminology. Bristol University Press.
Parry, N. M., & Stoll, A. (2020). The rise of veterinary forensics. Forensic science international, 306, 110069.
Wallace, J. R., & Ross, J. C. (2012). The application of forensic science to wildlife evidence. Wildlife Forensics: Methods and Applications. UK/USA: Wiley & Sons.
Wyatt, T. (2021). Wildlife trafficking: A deconstruction of the crime, victims and offenders. Springer Nature.
Web resources and Presentation recommendations
Animals in Domestic Violence, Dr. Heather Fraser | TEDxQUT: link here
How Entomologists Use Insects to Solve Crimes | WIRED: link here
Laws of the Wild: A Strategic Approach Against Wildlife Trafficking | Onkuri Majumdar | TEDxLimassol: link here
The link between animal abuse and domestic violence: link here
The nexus between wildlife crime and the climate crisis: John Scanlon: link here
To Stop a Wildlife Criminal, Dr. Gohar Petrossian | TEDxOneonta: link here
Introduction to Wildlife Forensics: link here
Activity
Based on chapters 7 and 10, as well as further reading, how can you detect wildlife crime and animal abuse online? What would you do or not do if you suspect such acts?
Check chapter 7 on fox hunting with dogs. Why wildlife crime is a social construct?
