10 December 2007

Wildlife Crime experts meet at University of Strathclyde

Thirty of Scotland’s leading Wildlife Crime authorities will be joined by experts from the Metropolitan Police and the RSPB for a Conference on ‘Forensic Investigation of Wildlife Crime’, which is being held on 13th December at the University of Strathclyde.

The meeting, co-hosted by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR), the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW) and the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Strathclyde, will hear from Wildlife Crime Officers, the Procurator Fiscal Services, and researchers from the Universities of Dundee, Glasgow and Strathclyde. Although this meeting has been planned for some months, its occurrence, immediately following the news of the killing of a rare sea eagle gifted by the people of Norway to Scotland, is very timely.

The speakers will be reflecting on the potential benefits of forensic science in the investigation of Wildlife Crime and the challenges (legal, investigative, organizational, educational, practical etc.) of providing the best service to the criminal justice system.

Michael Russell, Environment Minister, said, ‘A crime against Scotland’s wildlife is a crime against Scotland itself. I am determined to see incidents of bird poisoning, badger baiting and other appalling acts stamped out. I recently announced a review of the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crimes and look forward to seeing its results early next year. I encourage any initiative like this which will assist in the detection and successful prosecution of wildlife crime.’

James Govan, Senior Scientist (Biology) with the Scottish Police Services Authority Forensics Services, Glasgow, who initiated the meeting, said, ‘The overall theme of the meeting is to assess the current contribution of Forensic Science to the investigation of Wildlife Crime in Scotland. Hopefully by the end of the day we will have answered the question of whether this meets with expectations and if not, what would be required to achieve a sensible Forensic Wildlife Crime strategy in Scotland.’

Professor Nicholas Fyfe, Director of SIPR, said, ‘The prevention and prosecution of Wildlife Crime are areas where Scotland has made significant progress in recent years. Moreover, Wildlife Crime is now recognised as a problem that does not just effect wildlife and the natural environment but also has a major impact on communities and businesses that rely on nature and wildlife tourism. This meeting will provide an important opportunity for leading experts in their fields to identify the contribution of forensic science to fighting Wildlife Crime.’

NOTES TO EDITORS

Members of the Press are welcome to attend. Please contact Tim Heilbronn (t.d.heilbronn@dundee.ac.uk) for further information.

SCOTTISH INSTITUTE FOR POLICING RESEARCH
Director - Professor Nicholas Fyfe - +44 (0) 1382 384425

Research & Knowledge Transfer Manager - Tim Heilbronn - +44 (0) 1382 384205 - www.sipr.ac.uk

Secretary - Lyn Mitchell - +44 (0) 1382 388276

Supported by investment from the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council, SIPR is a consortium of the Universities of Aberdeen, Abertay, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, Stirling, Strathclyde and the West of Scotland, and Glasgow Caledonian University, Napier University and Robert Gordon University

For media enquiries contact:
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University of Dundee
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