Investigation on wildlife forensics for species identifi cation with reference to confiscated Indian jackal heads (Canis aureus indicus)

Wildlife species identification is a challenging task for the forensic investigators. The ultimate objective of wildlife forensics is to arrive at a conclusion following scientific procedures for examination, identification and comparison of evidences obtained from crime scenes. The Indian jackal (Canis aureus indicus), also known as the Himalayan jackal, a subspecies of golden jackal is protected under Schedule II Part II of the Wild Life Protection Act (1972) in India. Three jackal heads (dried) submitted by the Deputy Conservator of Forest, Forest Mobile Squad, Kammagondanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka state of India were examined by physical, anatomical and molecular methods to identify the species of the confiscated items. A combination of morphological and molecular approaches was used to detect or confirm the confiscated heads of the animals. The physical examination indicated coarse, short, and yellow to pale gold colored fur, less-prominent fore head with narrower and pointed muzzle, while the phenotype and anatomical morphology appearing like jackal heads. Apart from these features, further interventions were required for identification of the species. The molecular examination included DNA extraction from each head tissue further used in polymerase chain reaction using Indian Jackal-specific primers. The amplification of specific product helped identifying the confiscated animal heads belonging to Indian Jackals.