Carcass Dump
Definition
A secondary scene where a carcass or its parts were discarded after the valuable portions (ivory, horn, skin) were removed. Often chosen for concealment; may contain processing tools and tyre tracks.
- Type
- Secondary scene
- Contents
- Discarded carcass or parts after valuable portions removed
- Removed items example
- Ivory, horn, skin
- Evidence often present
- Processing tools, tyre tracks
Common questions
Why is a carcass dump treated as a distinct scene from the kill site?+
The kill site shows how the animal died, while the dump site, often chosen deliberately for concealment away from the kill location, can reveal transport routes, processing methods, and the identity of those who moved and discarded the remains.
What evidence types are prioritized at a carcass dump compared to a kill site?+
Investigators focus on tool marks from processing (skinning, dehorning), vehicle tyre impressions, and any trace evidence left during transport and disposal, since the cause of death evidence itself was typically established at the original kill site.
How does finding a carcass dump help identify a trafficking network?+
The processing tools and disposal method at a dump site can be compared across multiple incidents to link them to the same actors or supply chain, supporting a broader investigation into organized wildlife trafficking rather than a single isolated killing.
Related terms
- Chain of Custody
- The documented chronological record of who collected, handled, transferred, and examined a piece of evidence. For digital evidence, chain of custody includes...
- Common Approach Path (CAP)
- A single designated route into and out of an inner crime scene, chosen to avoid or minimise disturbance of evidence. Every responder...
- GPS Documentation
- Recording latitude, longitude, and often elevation for every exhibit, photograph station, track, and boundary marker in the field. Produces a reproducible spatial...
- Kill Site
- The location where an animal was killed, whether by firearm, snare, or poison. The primary crime scene; typically shows tracks, blood, casing,...
- Live-Animal Seizure
- A scene at which live protected animals are intercepted during trafficking: airport cargo holds, road vehicles, border posts, or markets. Evidence priorities...