1-Week Wildlife Forensic Course For African Professionals

This intensive one-week training program is tailored for professionals in the wildlife conservation and law enforcement sectors. The course is designed to equip participants with the critical skills needed to secure and manage wildlife crime scenes as first responders. In the absence of forensic experts, attendees will also learn how to effectively document and gather evidence in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Who Should Attend:
This program is ideal for:

  • African Law Enforcement and Customs Officials

  • Wildlife Rangers

  • Members of the Judiciary

  • Professionals interested in gaining expertise and confidence in wildlife forensics

Enhance your professional capabilities in wildlife crime scene management and forensic evidence collection, and contribute to strengthening the fight against wildlife crime in your region.

Course duration: 40 hours

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify various types of crime scenes.

  • Identify what has to be documented at a scene.

  • Recognize ways in which a crime scene can be contaminated.

  • Demonstrate how to photograph crime scenes and evidence.

  • Demonstrate how to collect fragile evidence.

  • Illustrate a rough sketch.

  • Demonstrate how to document shoe prints and tyre tracks.

  • Outline safety precautions necessary at a crime scene.

  • Identify the proper methods for approaching and securing a crime scene.

  • Explain the process involved in handling a crime scene.

  • Explain the chain of evidence/ chain of custody.

Course Outcomes:

  • Students learn forensic skills, understand the background to wildlife crime and can give insights to the field;

  • Students have a once in a lifetime experience on African soil being exposed to the issues and role-players in this field;

  • Students gain the confidence to conduct a wildlife crime investigation with forensic trace collection, documentation, and present their case in a courtroom. 

WFA Wildlife Forensic Training

Program: 

The training will include the following modules:

  • Preservation of a Crime Scene;

  • Role of Forensics;

  • Forensic Traces (Detection and Collection);

  • Crime Scene Management;

  • Forensic Photography;

  • Documenting Evidence

  • Courtroom Procedures

  • Presenting Evidence in Court

    Hands-on Experience Laboratory Training:

    • Human Behaviour at the Crime Scene;

    • Crime Scene Scenario Training;

Location:

The training will be done on the Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve, West Coast, South Africa.

What’s Included:

  • 1 Week Accommodation at Buffelsfontein Nature and Game Reserve;

  • 1 Week Catering (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner);

  • Transportation during the course;

Not Included:

  • Alcoholic drinks;

  • Transport to and from Buffeslfontein Game and Nature Reserve.

Prerequisites:

  • Grade 12

Upcoming Course Dates:

  • 13 April 2025

  • 11 May 2025

  • 17 August 2025

  • 31 August 2025

  • 1 February 2026

Cost:

R15500

*Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more attendees from the same institution. For information on special rates, please contact us at admin@wildlifeforensicacademy.com.