Kill Site
Definition
The location where an animal was killed, whether by firearm, snare, or poison. The primary crime scene; typically shows tracks, blood, casing, and wound evidence in the greatest density.
- Context
- Wildlife crime scene
- Evidence density
- Highest concentration of tracks, blood, casings, wound evidence
- Scene role
- Primary crime scene
- Methods of killing
- Firearm, snare or poison
Common questions
How does a kill site differ from a carcass dump or processing site in wildlife cases?+
The kill site is where the animal died and typically holds the densest physical evidence such as blood pooling and cartridge cases, while a separate dump or processing site downstream may only show drag marks, butchering tools, or trophy removal, so both need to be located and treated as linked scenes.
What evidence at a kill site helps link a specific weapon or trap to a suspect?+
Cartridge cases and bullet strike marks support firearm comparison, snare wire and knot patterns can be matched to material found with a suspect, and poison residue at the site can be compared against substances recovered during a search, alongside footwear and vehicle tracks.
Related terms
- Carcass Dump
- A secondary scene where a carcass or its parts were discarded after the valuable portions (ivory, horn, skin) were removed. Often chosen...
- 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...
- 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...