CSI in the Glens –

The Science Tracking the Bird Killers

If like me you are a fan of Rizzoli and Isles then you are also a fan of forensic science. The series is set in Boston, USA, and it features two glamorous female investigators and a Scotsman Adam Sinclair who plays Dr. Kent Drake in a combo that twins the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Medical Examiner's Office and the Boston Police Departents.  It is on Alibi. I recommend it – it’s very popular with my wife, who settles down with a glass of white in lovely James Pirie glass to watch it and wash the stress of the day away.

CSI Raptor

And now the Scottish agriculture department has special forensic team which has been analysing wildlife samples to track down the killers of Scotland’s birds of prey. A specialist team at the Wildlife Forensics DNA unit investigate the deaths of Scotland’s protected bird species, mostly raptors as it happens. Last year there were 14 criminal cases relating to raptor killings.

To Aim to Sop the Killing of Protected Wildlife

The boffins identified the DNA in bait used in several poisonings last year and in one special instance identified an individual buzzard from just single feather found on a rock. The  CSI unit is being used increasingly in raptor killings. Wildlife crimes recorded by Scottish police rose by 11 per cent last year when a total of 284 were recorded in 2014-15.

Crime involving birds was the second most common offence, even though they were down to 49 from 53. These figures were sobering if you take it as a given that most wildlife crime go undetected. Criminals continued to target species such as golden eagle, peregrine, hen harrier and red kites. The Crown Office received 98 wildlife cases in 2014-15 and prosecuted 40, of which 28 resulted in convictions.

Protected Species as Art

Our own offering of protected species as art includes the lovely red squirrel which has suffered from the depravations of disease and that annoying vermin the grey squirrel.  We have a lovely Christmas red squirrel. Grab it now while it is in stock and on offer. Its friend the Autumn Squirrel is already out of stock.

 

https://www.jamespirie.com/brands/royal-crown-derby/christmas-red-squirrel.html