Molecular Genetic Analysis Used To Solve Wildlife Crimes

 

        Wildlife crimes are a major cause for biodiversity loss around the world. Cruelty cases of poisoning and poaching are still a problem in 2025, however with the help of a study written by Dr. Kahila Bar-Gal from Hebrew University's Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, a solution seems to be approaching.

        Bar-Gal introduces a forensic approach, using advanced genetic tools can assist local conservation authorities by accessing their data bases. Their research plan points out the quantity and quality of the DNA that has been extracted from the crime scene are mostly limited because of the lack of preservation. This is why a thorough plan is crucial before laboratory work and all marker and methodological choices should prioritize the case's solving. 

    This particular study focuses on the poisoning of the critically endangered Eurasian griffon vulture and poaching of mountain gazelles in Israel. Each instance required multi-layered molecular genetic analysis such as identification of the species at hand, assignment of population, and comparing the DNA to the local and global databases.    

Figure I: Israeli mountain gazelles

    This research is incredibly important for the preservation of critically endangered species and biodiversity as a whole. Dr. Bar-Gal's method can help authorities and environmental lawsuits worldwide as undeniable proof wildlife crime was committed. 

Sources:

https://phys.org/news/2025-07-genetic-forensics-method-complex-wildlife.html 

https://international.huji.ac.il/news/cracking-case-new-methods-solve-complex-wildlife-crimes 

Genetics to Help Find Missing Children

In Granada, Spain, Forensics geneticist, Dr. Jose A. Lorente, has a dream of using genetics to find lost, stolen or kidnapped kids and to reunite them with there families. The idea that Dr. Lorente expressed is a network of data banks, used nationally, which store parents DNA who lost children. At any point in time when a child is found, they can be matched with their parents and return to them. He also has hopes that the databanks will play a key role in prevention of these types of trafficking rings and the adoptions of stolen children. He set up a foundation in 2004 called DNA- Prokids, which gives out free DNA tests and collection kits which can continue building these extensive data bases. The results are even more satisfying in which 550 families have been reunited thus far and the program has stopped 200 illegal adoptions.

I believe this is an awesome data base and should be continued to operate. I think with the data base growing and more people becoming aware, it will become successful in reuniting more families. Eventually, it will also be able to prevent many more crimes from occurring and ruining many innocent children and families.