TRACE
Definition
Wildlife Forensics Network based in Edinburgh, UK. Specialises in DNA-based species and geographic-origin identification for seized wildlife and products.
- Full name
- Wildlife Forensics Network
- Base
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Specialty
- DNA-based species and geographic-origin identification
- Casework focus
- Seized wildlife and wildlife products
Common questions
What kind of casework does TRACE typically support?+
It identifies the species and likely geographic origin of seized wildlife products, such as ivory, horn, or bushmeat, using DNA profiling to support prosecutions and inform enforcement priorities.
How does TRACE differ from a national wildlife forensic laboratory?+
TRACE operates as a network resource supporting multiple agencies and jurisdictions rather than serving as the in-house forensic laboratory of a single national law enforcement body.
Related terms
- BfN
- Bundesamt für Naturschutz (Federal Agency for Nature Conservation), Germany. Maintains CITES-supporting scientific expertise and species identification services for German customs and enforcement...
- ENFSI
- European Network of Forensic Science Institutes: the voluntary network of national forensic institutes across Europe and neighbouring regions, focused on method harmonisation,...
- NFWFL
- National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, the USFWS facility in Ashland, Oregon. Operates the US reference collection for wildlife hair, feathers, bone,...
- Reference Collection
- A curated library of verified specimens from known species, subspecies, and geographic populations used as comparators in forensic identification. The depth and...
- WCCB
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. Statutory multi-disciplinary body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), created by the 2006 amendment...