Tracing wildlife crime: A retrospective analysis of forensic case files from the government chemist laboratory authority, Tanzania

Tanzania, a global biodiversity hotspot, harbours approximately 20% of Africa’s large mammal population and plays a critical role in regional and international wildlife conservation. However, Tanzania experiences persistent threats from wildlife crime, including poaching and illegal trafficking of protected wildlife species. This study presents the first comprehensive retrospective assessment of wildlife forensic case files handled by the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) between 2013 and 2022. A total of 75 case files and 280 associated samples were analysed to identify trends in sample types, regional origins, investigative priorities, and the effectiveness of forensic methods employed. Tissue samples from wildlife species were the most frequently received, with the Arusha region contributing the highest number of submissions. The majority of forensic inquiries from the law enforcement agents focused on species identification (75 inquiries) and classification (61), while species individualisation (18) and origin determination (2) were less commonly inquired. Among the analytical methods used, Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Sanger sequencing was found to be the most effective for classification and species identification, while traditional methods, including precipitin testing and morphological or anatomical analysis, showed scope limitations. Despite the growing application of forensic science in wildlife crime investigations, the current study identified gaps in sample submission rates and the use of advanced methods in wildlife forensics analysis. To enhance the effectiveness of wildlife forensic services in Tanzania, the study recommends strengthening analytical capacity, expanding molecular approaches for individualisation and provenance analysis, and promoting greater collaboration among enforcement, conservation, and forensic institutions.