Nagpur Forest Division Conducts Wildlife Forensics Workshop
A specialized training session on wildlife crime forensics was held in Nagpur to enhance skills among forest staff.
Workshop aimed at improving documentation and investigation skills for wildlife crimes.
Led by Dr. Vinita Vyas, the training included sessions on evidence handling and legal processes.
Participants learned about the importance of accurate documentation for successful prosecutions.
In Nagpur, the Forest Division organized a focused workshop on wildlife crimes and forensics at Harisingh Sabhagruha, marking the end of Wildlife Week. This initiative aimed to enhance the capabilities of assistant conservators of forests (ACFs), range forest officers, and field staff in areas such as documentation, investigation, and legal processing of wildlife crime cases.
The workshop was overseen by Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Dr. Vinita Vyas, with participation from ACFs Yash Kale, Govind Luche, Manoj Dhanvijay, and Sandeep Bharti. A retired ACF, Rajendra Dhongde, provided guidance on the proper documentation and processing of wildlife offences, emphasizing the need for meticulous record-keeping in such cases.
The initial session focused on the creation of a panchanama, detailing essential points for documenting observations and preparing official reports. Participants learned about the procedure for filing a primary offence report (POR) and the significance of accurately recording the circumstances at a crime scene, including the documentation of seized materials and case records. The importance of thorough documentation was underscored as a critical component of effective investigation and prosecution.
Dr. Sujit Kolangath from the Wildlife Research and Training Centre (WRTC) in Nagpur led a session on the meticulous handling of forensic evidence in wildlife crime cases. He highlighted the critical steps from evidence collection to submission for forensic analysis, stressing the necessity of preventing contamination and maintaining a clear chain of custody. Proper labeling and sealing of evidence were also discussed to ensure reliability in legal proceedings.
The workshop further addressed field-level investigations, emphasizing systematic collection and preservation of evidence, maintaining accurate records, and coordinating with veterinary experts and forensic laboratories. Participants were encouraged to adhere to established protocols throughout the investigative process to enhance the efficacy of wildlife crime enforcement efforts.
