January 2000
Contact: Tim Smith, Legislative Liaison (360) 902-2223

Situation

Genetic testing is a primary forensic tool in law enforcement, including enforcement of fish and wildlife regulations. Recent technological advances have made genetic analysis an extremely informative and cost-effective means of enforcing laws against poaching by offering precise species and location information from tissue samples collected as evidence. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has a well-equipped genetics laboratory that is used primarily for DNA-based analysis of fish and shellfish species, unrelated to law enforcement. WDFW's past genetics activities have been supported almost completely by federal, private or other external funding.

Problem

Federal funding for genetics activities has decreased substantially, at the same time that genetics has become more widely used in law enforcement and federal species protection listings and petitions for listings have led to a greater demand for genetic information. Until recently, the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory (NFWFL) conducted most of the forensic analyses for WDFW at no charge. However, the NFWFL is no longer able to process cases for Washington or other states in a timely fashion. The Department must develop its own forensic genetic capabilities so that it can continue to enforce Washington's fish and wildlife laws and regulations. Although the Washington State Patrol has several genetics laboratories, these are human crime labs, not fish and wildlife labs. The state has no cost-effective alternative for conducting forensic genetic analyses of fish and wildlife evidence. Without forensic genetic analysis, the Department's ability to investigate and prosecute violations of fish and wildlife laws and regulations will be compromised.

Proposal

Gov. Gary Locke has requested $263,000 to allow WDFW to use genetic analysis to enforce fish and wildlife laws. Under this proposal, WDFW would create 1.7 new positions, modify its genetics lab for law enforcement work and purchase equipment for forensic testing, allowing the Department to process 100 cases a year.

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