Inside the world’s only wildlife crime lab

June 28, 2026

The National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory investigates crimes against animals worldwide. Using autopsies, DNA analysis, and forensic techniques, the lab helps enforce conservation laws and hold wildlife criminals accountable.

Inside the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory
Inside the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory

A specialised lab investigating crimes against animals

You step into a space that works like a crime lab
You step into a space that works like a crime lab

The key difference is that every victim is wildlife

Evidence arrives from borders and crime scenes
Evidence arrives from borders and crime scenes

Items are collected and sent for detailed analysis

Scientists connect suspects, victims and locations
Scientists connect suspects, victims and locations

Forensic methods help build legal cases

Some cases begin with a silent discovery
Some cases begin with a silent discovery

Animals are found dead with unknown causes

Autopsies reveal what the eye cannot see
Autopsies reveal what the eye cannot see

Experts examine injuries, toxins, and hidden clues

Bones and feathers are carefully compared
Bones and feathers are carefully compared

Reference specimens help identify species

Thousands of specimens support the work
Thousands of specimens support the work

The collection strengthens ongoing investigations

DNA testing solves the toughest cases
DNA testing solves the toughest cases

Genetics reveals origins of unrecognisable items

Behind every case is a larger mission
Behind every case is a larger mission

Holding wildlife criminals accountable worldwide