Wildlife Forensics: Bones, Ivory, and DNA Methods
Published:
Questions
30
Duration
30 min
Faculty-reviewed
0
Updated
18 Jun 2026
About this mock
This mock covers the laboratory and field methods forensic scientists use to examine wildlife specimens seized in trade investigations, including skeletal element identification, ivory and horn authentication, reference collection use, DNA barcoding and STR profiling, stable isotope provenance, and DNA extraction from processed or degraded products. Questions draw on gross morphology, histological micro-architecture, osteometric discriminant functions, Schreger line angles, CITES documentation requirements, and the COI barcode gene region.
This set is designed for students and practitioners in wildlife crime investigation, conservation enforcement, and forensic biology, and is relevant to those preparing for MSc or BSc examinations in forensic science, wildlife biology, or conservation science, as well as professionals working with enforcement agencies such as TRAFFIC, WWF, and the USFWS National Forensics Laboratory.
Topics covered:
- Bone and skeletal element identification using gross morphology and histology
- Ivory identification by Schreger line angles and tubule microstructure
- Rhinoceros horn authentication and keratin microstructure
- Reference collections and voucher specimen libraries
- DNA barcoding using the COI gene region for species identification
- STR profiling for individual identification and seizure linkage
- Population genetics and geographic provenance assignment
- Stable isotope analysis for geographic origin of wildlife products
- DNA recovery strategies for degraded and heat-processed material
Allow 30 minutes.
Sources & references
Questions in this mock are written and verified against the following sources. Citations are recorded per question and shown in the explanation after submission.
- cited in 5 questions
Wasser, Samuel K. et al. — 'Genetic Assignment of Large Seizures of Elephant Ivory', Science, 2015
Supplementary Methods: skeletal element identification protocol
- cited in 4 questions
Tobe, Shanan S. et al. — 'An overview of the use of mitochondrial DNA for species identification in wildlife forensic science', Investigative Genetics, 2010
Section: short-amplicon strategies for heat-processed and canned wildlife products
- cited in 4 questions
Espinoza, Edgard O. and Mann, Mary-Jacque — Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes, 3rd Edition, CITES Secretariat / WWF
Chapter 4: Ultraviolet Fluorescence Examination of Ivory
- cited in 2 questions
Huffman, Jane E. and Wallace, Jonathan R. (eds.) — Wildlife Forensics: Methods and Applications
Chapter 6: DNA Extraction Challenges and PCR Optimisation
- cited in 2 questions
Sharma, B.R. — Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation and Trials, 4th Edition
Chapter 24: Wildlife Evidence Identification
- cited in 2 questions
Uno, Kevin T. et al. — 'Combining stable isotope and DNA analysis for elephant ivory provenance', Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2013
Methods: carbon isotope analysis and vegetation isoscape mapping
- cited in 2 questions
Crowder, Christian and Stout, Sam — Bone Histology: An Anthropological Perspective
Chapter 5: Histomorphometric Estimation and Forensic Applications
- cited in 1 question
Robertson, J. — Forensic Examination of Fibres and Biological Trace Materials
Chapter: Feather Evidence and Reference Collection Use
- cited in 1 question
Shivji, Mahmood S. et al. — 'Rapid and accurate identification of shark species by genotyping of fin clips', Fishery Bulletin, 2002
Methods: short-amplicon strategy for degraded fin material
- cited in 1 question
Tridico, Silvana — 'Wildlife Forensics: Methods and Applications', edited by Huffman and Wallace
Chapter 4: Hair Reference Libraries and Comparison Microscopy in Felid Identification
- cited in 1 question
Bhagavatula, J. and Singh, L. — 'Genotyping fecal samples of Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) for population estimation', BMC Genetics, 2006
Methods: microsatellite marker selection and population assignment
- cited in 1 question
US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Forensics Laboratory — Laboratory Capabilities and Methods Overview
Reference Collection: Role in Morphological Identification
- cited in 1 question
Amendt, J. et al. — Current Concepts in Forensic Entomology
Chapter 11: Species Identification and Reference Collections
- cited in 1 question
Bataille, Clement P. et al. — 'Isotopic fingerprinting of wildlife products', Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 2009
Strontium isotope methodology and provenance mapping
- cited in 1 question
Gonzalez, L.A. et al. — 'Forensic identification of rhinoceros horn using species-specific PCR', Forensic Science International Genetics, 2010
Methods: species-specific primer design and amplification conditions
- cited in 1 question
Ward, Robert D. et al. — 'DNA barcoding Australia's fish species', Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 2005
Methods: COI fragment amplification and BOLD matching criteria
How our mocks are built
Questions are written and edited by the ForensicSpot team and cited from peer-reviewed forensic textbooks, official syllabi and primary case law. Each one is verified before publishing. Detailed explanations show after you submit, so the test stays a real test. See a mistake? Tell us.
Common questions
What does the Wildlife Forensics: Bones, Ivory, and DNA Methods mock cover?+
This mock covers the laboratory and field methods forensic scientists use to examine wildlife specimens seized in trade investigations, including skeletal element identification, ivory and horn authentication, reference collection use, DNA barcoding and STR profiling, stable isotope provenance, and DNA extraction from processed or degraded products. Questions draw on gross morphology, histological micro-architecture, osteometric discriminant functions, Schreger line angles, CITES documentation r
How many questions and how long is the test?+
30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes total. Difficulty: medium. Tier: Premium.
Who is this mock for?+
Forensic science students and aspirants who want timed, exam-style practice with explanations and verified source citations on Wildlife Forensics. Useful for postgraduate entrance preparation and for BSc / MSc forensic students testing their recall under time.
Are the questions reviewed?+
Each question carries a verified source citation. Faculty review for individual questions is in progress.
Do I need an account to take this mock?+
Yes, a free ForensicSpot account is required to start a timed attempt — this lets you save progress, see per-question explanations after submission, and track your topic-level performance over time.