Forensic Implications of Dorsal Scale Row Counts on Puff-faced Water Snakes (Colubridae: Homalopsinae: Homalopsis buccata)

摘要

Wildlife, including live animals, parts, or products manufactured from wildlife, must be properly declared to species of origin when imported into, or exported from, the United States. Forensic scientists at the U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) assist law enforcement agencies in identifying animals and animal products in cases where suspected wildlife violations have occurred (Goddarcl and Espinoza 2000). While the Laboratory does not initiate or lead such investigations, it provides forensic support in a broad range of areas including species identification (morphological and molecular), cause of death examination, forensic chemistry, digital evidence analysis (computer, audio, video and photography), fingerprint, firearm, and tool mark analysis, and crime scene investigation.