Animal Investigators

Laurel Neme talked about her book Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab Is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species (Scribner; April 7, 2009). In her book she presents an inside look at the world’s first forensic laboratory for crimes against wildlife. At the Clark R. Bavin U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory, forensic scientists and the agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service work to investigate wildlife crimes, protect endangered species, and stem illegal wildlife trafficking. The book focused on three cases: headless walrus washed up on the shores of Alaska, black bears killed for their gallbladders, and feathered headdresses shipped to the United States from the Amazon. Ms. Neme talked about how she became interested in the topic and the scope of the problem. She also detailed some of the forensic procedures used. Ms. Neme responded to questions from members of the audience at The Flying Pig Bookstore near Burlington, Vermont.

Laurel Neme has worked as a consultant for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Treasury. She has also written for the Nature Conservancy, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the World Wildlife Fund. close