College Credit:  2 semester hours

Who Should Attend:  Biologists and law enforcement employees whose responsibilities include joint legal and biological investigations of environmental contaminant cases.

Length:  5 days/36 hours

Objectives:  By the end of this session, the participant will be able to;

• Describe FWS responsibilities associated with the effects of pollutants on trust resource;
• Evaluate which wildlife and pollution statutes and regulations are applicable to various environmental contaminant situations;
• Present the investigative support available to natural resource agencies from the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory and the National Wildlife Health Center;
• Demonstrate proper evidence collection and handling procedures;
• Case studies are reviewed that describe recognition of contaminant situations that are hazards to trust resources and in violation of environmental laws or regulations;
• Investigative techniques, case preparation, court procedures, and strategies for resolution of hazardous situations are presented;
• Procedures for gathering and handling of biological specimens and evidence are demonstrated;
• Principles of wildlife forensics and the examination of illegally killed wildlife will be presented.