Episode: "Forensics"
Location: National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab, Oregon
Veterinarian: Dr. Richard Stroud

The National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Ore., is the only facility of its type — a world-class wildlife forensics center with the latest high-tech crime-fighting equipment and personnel.

A deceased gray wolf is brought in and positively identified by sampling a single strand of hair. Through DNA analysis comparison, the hair's genetic material is matched with the lab's comprehensive DNA data bank.

Dr. Richard Stroud, the senior medical examiner, takes X-rays of the dead wolf, which clearly show dense bullet fragments lodged in the carcass.

Dr. Stroud then performs a necropsy — the animal version of an autopsy — carefully reconstructing the path of the bullets and taking photographic evidence. The necropsy confirms that the wolf was killed from the bullet wounds.

The bullet fragments are given to Mike Scanlan, the senior firearms examiner, to identify the type of bullet and weapon used through a ballistics test and comparison. The collective evidence is then admissible in prosecution proceedings.

See More Case Studies »