Wildlife Crime Awareness Workshop: Forensics, Marine Crime & Animal Welfare

Join us in person to explore wildlife forensics, marine crime, and animal welfare—and learn how to make a difference. Practical wildlife crime training with hands-on forensics, marine wildlife crime, animal welfare and real-world awareness. Topics covered will include: • Understanding wildlife crime An overview of common types of wildlife crime, including offences affecting protected species, habitats and the countryside. • Recognising signs and indicators Looking at what may be significant at a potential wildlife crime scene and the difference between an observation and an assumption. • Scene awareness and preservation How to avoid unnecessary disturbance or contamination, why context matters, and what should normally be left alone. • Objective observation and recording Developing better observation skills, making useful notes and recording information clearly and accurately. • Responsible reporting What information is useful to the Police and other competent authorities, and why IWCITA places strong emphasis on Police Primacy. • Badger crime awareness An introduction to badger ecology, sett awareness, signs of activity and some of the common offences and threats associated with badgers. • Marine wildlife crime and disturbance A specialist input from Geoff Edmond, Animal Welfare & Wildlife Crime Expert, covering marine wildlife crime, disturbance and related welfare concerns. • Hands-on forensic session with ThinkSafe Forensics A practical forensic element exploring how evidence can be recognised, recorded and preserved, with an emphasis on observation, contamination awareness and good first-response practice. • Practical exercises and scenarios Delegates will work through realistic examples designed to encourage discussion, observation and decision-making rather than simply listening to presentations. • Professional boundaries and personal safety The workshop will reinforce that members of the public and non-police professionals should not conduct their own investigations, confront suspects or act beyond their competence. The overall aim is to help delegates leave with a clearer understanding of what to notice, what not to disturb, what to record and when to report concerns. Recognise • Preserve • Observe • Report