A septennium review of wildlife forensic DNA analysis in South Africa

Abstract

The application of scientific research tools and technologies in wildlife forensic analysis is fundamental to support law enforcement in the regulation and enforcement of illegal criminal activities. Validated genetic technologies and techniques have proven to be critical in securing successful prosecutions specifically through the examination of DNA from physical exhibit material. In South Africa, DNA techniques and tools have been implemented to identify and characterise biological evidence of wildlife, in answering questions that arise during crime investigation and prosecution. Here, we describe, and review wildlife forensic cases analysed in South Africa (by South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Veterinary Genetic Laboratory (VGL)) over a seven-year period (August 2017 to July 2024). In total, 3 763 wildlife forensic cases were analysed. The taxonomic representation was skewed towards mammals encompassing 94.1 % of all cases due to large amount of wildlife cases involving black and white rhinoceros, African elephant, lion and antelope. These cases were predominantly from the north-eastern parts of the country including Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces which have previously been classified as a ‘hotspot’ for poaching. The type of analysis requested varied between the different taxonomic groups with 90 % of mammal cases submitted for DNA comparison, while bird, reptile, fish and invertebrate cases were mainly submitted for species identification (>87 %). This paper further reviews the successes and challenges encountered from a South African perspective and provides future recommendations. HIGHLIGHTS • Review of wildlife forensic cases analysed in South Africa over a seven-year period. • Analysis of taxonomic, species, geographic representation, and types of analysis request received. • Successes and challenges in wildlife forensic genetics from a South African perspective.