Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
undertaken under our programme is forensic, using advanced techniques to identify criminals (e.g.,
DNA, fi ngerprints, ballistics), that are exactly the same procedures commonly used to solve human
crimes. In mid-2010, we published and distributed a handbook of investigative methods in wildlife
crimes for police forces specialising in wildlife-related crimes (i.e., Fajardo and Martín 2010). The
handbook (a second edition was released in May 2011) was very favourably received, and there was
a high demand for it within the rest of Spain and from Portugal, France and Italy. In addition, the
managers of police forces in these countries are in the process of training specialised teams, some
even in the framework of an EU Life initiative. We have also developed a very good advanced course
to train police bodies in specialised on-site forensic aspects and techniques.
Any evidence recovered from the fi eld is collected according to very strict and specifi c protocols
(Fajardo and Velasco 2010). All fi ndings (e.g., baits and carcasses) are then submitted to our foren-
sic laboratory, the Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico (CAD) for an initial screening. In addition to
other compounds of concern/interest (e.g., anticoagulants), samples are initially screened for over
100 organophosphorus and carbamate compounds using GC/MS/MS and UPLC-MS/MS. This is in
accordance with EU Directive 2002/657/CE, which stipulates that carbamates and non-carbamates
must be investigated using liquid chromatography (HPLC, UV/MS) and gas chromatography
(ECPD, NDP/MS), respectively. The costs of the analyses are assumed entirely by the programme,
and vary greatly, depending on the amount and type of evidence submitted, and whether or not exter-
nal confi rmation is required. As a guideline, costs can range from 60 euro (for positive confi rmation
only) up to 600 euro. Compounds that have been detected from baits recovered in the fi eld include:
•
aldicarb
•
brodifacoum
•
bromadiolone
•
carbofuran
•
chlorfenvinphos
•
chlorpyrifos
•
diazinon
•
difenacoum
•
dimethoate
•
diphacinone
•
endosulfan
•
ethyl parathion
•
lindane
•
methamidophos
•
methiocarb
•
methomyl
•
methyl parathion
•
pirimicarb
•
p,p'-DDE
•
strychnine
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