Wildlife Necropsy and Forensics

375 Pages·2021·14.111 MB·English

by  P.K. Sriraman

Wildlife Necropsy and Forensics

This book is the result of simultaneous compilation of information on the postmortem
examination of wild animals for over 20 years ever since the author attended the
summer institute on the pathology of diseases of wildlife at the College of Veterinary
Science, Hebbal, Bangalore during May 1979 and also the experience gained while
conducting the postmortem examination of wild animals submitted from the S.V.Zoo
park at Tirupati. The book is written in 2 parts. In Part I the necropsy procedures
in some wild animals along with the procedure for collection and preservation of
the collected specimens for diagnostic purposes are given. These procedures are
common both to the disease investigation as well as forensic necropsies in wild
animals except that the forensic necropsies need more careful examination and
collection and preservation of material for diagnostic purposes. In the second part
information on the list of various wildlife crimes, the role of each member of wildlife
crime team investigation in general and the role of pathologist in particular, the
forensic necropsy and collection of evidential items and the methodology for crime
investigation is given.
Dr. P. K. Sriraman is a retired (Voluntary) Associate professor and Head, Department
of Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30 after
putting in 29 years of active service involving teaching (both to the undergraduate
and post graduates), research and extension activities.

Wildlife Necropsy and Forensics

P.K.Sriraman
Associate Professor and Head (Retd.)

Department of Pathology

College of Veterinary Science

HYDERABAD - 500030

Telengana (India)

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First published 2021
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ISBN: 978-0-367-77596-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-17201-7 (ebk)
Contents
Preface iiv
Part I Wildlife Necropsy 1 - 100
1 Introduction 3
2 Collection and Preservation of Biological Specimens 24
3 Necropsy Methods 50
4 Autopsy Report 97
Part II Wildlife Forensics 101 - 305
1 Introduction 103
2 Crimes Against Wildlife 105
3 Forensic Analysis of Wildlife Crimes 116
1. Role of Pathologist 119
2. Role of Morphologist 126
3. Role of Molecular Biologist (Geneticist) 130
4. Role of a Criminalist 135
5. Role of an Analytical Chemist 142
6. Role of the Forensic Specialist / Investigator 147
4 Forensic Necropsy 152
5 Examination of the Wounds 200
6 Types of Firearms and Terminology 241
7 Poisoning 258
8 Record Keeping 269
9 Wildlife Crime Investigation 273
Appendices 306 - 364
Appendix I 306
Appendix II 314
Appendix III 318
Appendix IV 342
Appendix V 352
Appendix VI 353
Appendix VII 354
Appendix VIII 359
Appendix IX 362
Appendix X 363
Index 365
Preface

Necropsy (Postmortem examination) of wild animals for legal purposes has become
increasingly common. Special procedures are necessary during such necropsies to
ensure that the information collected is suitable for use in a court of law. Forensic
necropsies should be performed by a trained pathologist who has experience with
the species being examined since his credentials will be examined if a case reaches
the court of law. Determination of the cause of death in wild animals is often
difficult and may require the close co-operation of a number of disciplines. For the
diagnostic laboratory to contribute fully to final diagnosis, the specimens collected
must be selected carefully and preserved in suitable conditions.
Crimes involving wild animals, including the trade in animal parts like gallbladder
of bears and paws, and poaching of protected and endangered species have increased
in the recent past. There is also increasing interest in establishing the culpabilities for
the death of wild animals as a result of pollution or poisons. These developments have
resulted in greater need for evidence obtained by the examination of dead wildlife
that will be acceptable in the court of law.
The book is written in 2 parts. In Part I the necropsy procedures in some wild
animals along with the procedure for collection and preservation of specimens for
diagnostic purposes are given. These procedures are common both to the disease
investigation as well as forensic necropsies in wild animals except that the forensic
necropsies need more careful examination and collection and preservation of material
for diagnostic purposes. In the second part information on the list of various wildlife
crimes, the role of each member of wildlife crime team investigation in general and
the role of pathologist in particular, (the forensic veterinary pathology)and the salient
features of methodology of crime investigation is given. Information on the mistakes
and omissions in forensic necropsy, negative necropsy, common errors committed
by pathologist while performing forensic necropsy, postmortem appearances of
common pathological conditions and estimation of age of some of the domestic
animals and their foetuses is given for guidance. Various types of wounds, and the
types of firearms and their terminology are also given for easy understanding about
the wounds and fire arms.
Hope this book will be of use to all those interested in wildlife preservation
and especially to veterinary pathologists who are involved in conducting necropsies
pertaining to wildlife crimes, wildlife personnel dealing with the law enforcement,
students and teachers in veterinary colleges as well as the students of wildlife school
and zoo personnel.
Dr. P.K. Sriraman
About the Author
Dr. P. K. Sriraman is a retired (Voluntary) Associate professor and Head, Department
of Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30 after
putting in 29 years of active service involving teaching (both to the undergraduate
and post graduates), research and extension activities. The author was direct disciple
of Professor Ganti A Sastry, a doyen in the field of veterinary pathology and Dr
P. Rama Rao, and also worked with them till their retirement. The author was
a recipient of Meritorious research worker award of ANGRA University,
Hyderabad (1993), Gold medal for securing highest OGPA in PhD, ICMR Senior
fellowship during PhD and “ICAR Merit scholarship during graduate studies. He
has guided 27 MVScs and 5 PhD students during his tenure in the Veterinary
colleges and published more than 120 research papers in journals of repute. He has
authored 5 books. 1. “A guide to postmortem examination of animals” along with a
CD ROM containing procedures for Postmortem examination of animals (first of
its kind) 2 . “Veterinary laboratory diagnosis”. Published by Jaypee Brothers Medical
publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi. 3. Lecture notes on Veterinary Pathology , 4. Lecture
notes on Veterinary special pathology and 5.Diseases of wild animals and birds
( Jaya Publishing House, Delhi).