Marine forensics

Marine Forensic Science is forensic science applied to legal issues involving marine life. It also refers to the scientific study and investigation of human incidents, accidents, or deaths occurring as a result of or involving bodies of water including oceans, streams or rivers, lakes, or ponds.[1] Marine forensics uses law enforcement to protect fisheries resources, marine mammals, and endangered species.[2] Pollution from rapid industrialization and other human activities caused declination in fisheries resources and coral reefs have threatened marine life. On October 21, 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA) was enacted,[3] was enacted, protecting fisheries resources, marine mammals, and endangered species. DNA analysis plays a vital role in marine forensics, considering the flesh and blood of marine species in investigations, as well as recovery techniques for investigations that include human remains. However, a marine environment poses many challenges to the taphonomy of dead remains and to the investigation itself affecting the accuracy of results.[4] Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors have to be examined as the marine environment is constantly changing which can affect results.[4] Thus, a marine scientist is essential to be observant and cautious at all times during investigations.

  1. ^ Erskine, L. K., Armstrong, J. E. (2021) Water-Related Death Investigation: Practical Methods and Forensic Applications. CRC Press.doi:10.4324/9780367332297
  2. ^ US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "What is marine forensic science?". oceanservice.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on 2019-10-09. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  3. ^ "The Importance of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 | National Marine Life Center". Archived from the original on 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  4. ^ a b Ellingham, S., Perich, P., Tidball-Binz, M. (2017). The fate of human remains in a maritime context and feasibility for forensic humanitarian action to assist in their recovery and identification. Forensic Science International. 279(1): 229-234. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.07.039