13 November 2014: The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) has released the ‘Guidelines on Methods and Procedures for Ivory Sampling and Laboratory Analysis’ in support of the deployment of forensic technology to combat elephant poaching. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) took the lead in developing the Guidelines with expert support.

The Guidelines target first responders, investigators, law enforcement officials, forensic scientists, prosecutors and the judiciary. They seek to promote the use of forensic science to combat wildlife crime, and in particular, to combat trade in illegal ivory. They are divided into four parts: crime scene management; methods and procedures for the identification of ivory; how to interpret scientific data; and the role of international cooperation.

In 2013, the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES COP16) adopted measures to encourage the increased use of forensic technology to fight wildlife crime. Similarly, at the African Elephant Summit held in Gaborone, Botswana, governments pledged to tackle the illegal ivory chain and called for the development of a network of forensic labs. The Guidelines support these decisions and pledges.

Under the umbrella of ICCWC, the CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, UNODC, the World Bank and the World Customs Organization (WCO) are working together to bring coordinated support to wildlife law enforcement agencies and networks at national, regional and global levels to enhance global cooperation and capacity to combat wildlife and forest crimes. [CITES Press Release] [UN Press Release] [UNODC Press Release] [Publication: Guidelines on Methods and Procedures for Ivory Sampling and Laboratory Analysis] [IISD story on Elephant Summit]