THE NATURE FIRST PODCAST
We are thrilled to announce that we are launching the Nature FIRST Podcast. Nature FIRST is a project that combines ecology science, forensics and environmental observations with the objective of developing preventive capabilities for nature conservation. In this podcast, we will be interviewing experts in these fields to learn insights about state-of-the-art methods and tech solutions for nature conservation.
In this first episode, Rita Prota (SDGs Programme Manager at the Sustainable Scale-Up Foundation) interviews Dr Claire Gwinnett, Professor in Forensic and Environmental Science at Staffordshire University, the UK. Tune in as they discuss how forensics can be used for nature conservation.
The Staffordshire University is a Consortium Member of the Nature FIRST project — they provide partners with expertise in forensics. Claire has led national and international projects in the forensic industry since 2004. She is an expert in forensic analysis of fibre, glass, hair, paint, as well as forensic database production. She is a professor in forensic environmental science, and focuses on environmental crimes and wildlife crime investigation. She works as a consultant with the police, doing sample analysis for wildlife crimes, and she trains students and professional field workers on wildlife crime investigation (how to investigate scenes, how to examine the evidence, etc). She also leads a research centre whose goal is to improve wildlife crime investigation. In addition, Claire is part of the advisory board of the Wildlife Forensic Academy in South Africa, where they train individual rangers and students.
How does forensics fit into the Nature FIRST project?
Nature FIRST monitors biodiversity in order to develop preventative capabilities for nature conservation, and wildlife and environmental forensics play a crucial role in the monitoring process, as well as in the way information is recorded and provided.
Specifically, Claire is involved in training field partners in forensic science. As the NF project makes use of tools like digital twins, the question arises of how these can be made suitable and useful for on-the-ground personnel such as rangers and site managers responsible for field sites. Taking a forensic approach involves capturing important information in the same way in which one would tackle a wildlife crime scene. For instance, in the Danube Delta River, we are monitoring sturgeon poaching activities with the goal of protecting this species. But to do that, what do we monitor? What information do we collect and how? This process requires correct documentation, forensically appropriate photographs, and proper evidence collection without contamination. Maintaining continuity of evidence is also essential, to ensure its protection and traceability from the crime scene to the court.
The project aims to incorporate these principles into its output, enabling any evidence found to be investigated by the police. This is because failure to follow proper protocols and documentation can render evidence unusable in court. In other words, the overall goal is to enhance training, foster forensic awareness, establish protocols, and provide training to rangers to conduct wildlife investigations and manage scenes effectively, thereby increasing the chances of apprehending offenders.
The project addresses not only poaching but also any human-wildlife interaction that might contribute to biodiversity loss. Simple solutions, like installing fences to prevent unauthorised access, can mitigate some issues. However, the forensic aspect becomes crucial in cases involving illegal activities, like forest fires that require an arson investigation. Part of this project entails carrying out the investigation, recognizing the scene as a crime, and then providing tools and resources to those who are investigating the scenes.
If this piques your interest and you want to learn more about forensics and nature conservation, listen to Claire explain all of this in depth in the first episode of the Nature FIRST podcast. You can find it on Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify. Tune in and share to help us protect biodiversity in Europe and beyond.
