Poachers become prey
Evidence from wildlife crime scenes helps forensic biologists track offenders
From a seventh-floor lab in south Edmonton, forensic biologist Thomas Packer linked DNA from a grizzly head found in a home in Edmonton with a carcass left near Hinton.
The match eventually led officers to the poacher, who received jail time when he was convicted last December of killing a grizzly and her cub.
“DNA is even better for wildlife investigations than human investigations,” Packer said, as poachers “almost always” take something with them — an animal trophy, hide or meat.
It’s up to the forensic biologists in the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch’s lab, at 6909 116th St., to develop a DNA profile and match it to the wildlife crime scene.
The lab, which has operated since 1978, opened its doors to the media Tuesday to allow a rare inside glimpse of wildlife crime investigations.
“We’re not here to clamp down on everyday ordinary fishers and hunters; we think that’s a very important part of the Alberta lifestyle,” said Justice Minister Jonathan Denis.
“But at same time, we have to conserve it, and that’s what Fish and Wildlife officers are about.”
Inside the lab, Packer drilled into a deer antler to take a DNA sample. On another counter, forensic biologist Lindsey Monderman used forceps to take a tissue sample from a bighorn sheep.
“It’s part of a really involved process,” Packer said. “In the end it can contribute to the protection of wildlife species, which feels great.”
Sometimes animal parts are sent to the lab, and other times smaller samples are provided by the province’s 143 Fish and Wildlife officers, who each have their own evidence collection kit.
In addition to investigating poaching and trafficking across Alberta, the lab is used to identify animals that have attacked or killed people, such as in a bear mauling. The lab also completes work on a cost-recovery basis for clients in B.C., Saskatchewan, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.
Rick Jobin, forensic unit manager, describes DNA profiling as “a sensitive and very powerful technology.” In one recent case, Jobin said a single bear hair found stuck in some plywood in the back of a pickup truck was used to develop a DNA profile.
Once a sample has been extracted, it goes into an extraction room for analysis. Then it’s off to the amplification and post amplification room, where “the magic happens.”
“These are the procedures that allow us to take that tiny piece of sample and develop a DNA typing profile from it,” Monderman said.
The lab has developed DNA typing tests and databases, and has transferred technology to other forensic and academic labs in Canada and the U.S. Jobin recently participated in a conference for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, developing guidelines for forensic analysis associated with poaching and trafficking ivory from African elephants.
Having a crime lab in Edmonton is “integral” to the Fish and Wildlife officers’ work, said Matt McCorquodale, staff superintendent of the special investigations section. “We’ve been very successful in bringing people to justice on fish and wildlife crimes,” he said.