HOSTING OF SWFSC7 BY MALAYSIA PROVES IMPORTANT ROLE OF MFHLK

PUTRAJAYA, June 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia through the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) of Peninsular Malaysia became the first country in Asia to host the '7th Society for Wildlife Forensic Science Conference and Meeting 2024' (SWFSC7) being held today until this Wednesday. 

A statement issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Natural Sustainability (NRES) today stated that the selection of Malaysia as the host proves the important role of the National Wildlife Forensic Laboratory (MFHLK) in leading initiatives to protect wildlife using scientific technology.

SWFSC7 involved the participation of more than 100 wildlife forensic scientists from 27 developed countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and countries from the African continent as well as in the Asian region to share ideas and best practices related to wildlife crime issues.

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"MFHLK's role is to provide critical forensic evidence for wildlife crime investigations. Its scientists can determine the species, sex, and origin of wildlife or wildlife parts seized by analysing wildlife parts such as blood, tissue and bones to help the prosecution case," read the statement.

According to the ministry, MFHLK has collaborated with 10 countries in the Asian and African regions and analysed a total of 4,002 samples.

"The results of this analysis have greatly helped the department's prosecution. MFHLK has also achieved ISO17025 accreditation in the field of wildlife DNA in 2021 from the Department of Standards Malaysia.

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"The establishment of the Special Wildlife Intelligence Forensic Team (SWIFT) in 2013 has strengthened crime scene investigation (CSI) through the use of methods and technology to streamline the investigation of cases involving wildlife crimes," it said.

The ministry said MFHLK also plays an important role in the conservation of the Malayan Tiger conservation and has developed the Malayan Tiger Genotype Database (MyTAGS) to help trace the lineage and identify individual Malayan Tigers.

 "NRES, through the Perhilitan, will continue to empower MFHLK through the addition of expertise and skilled workforce, international collaboration and knowledge sharing through training for wildlife scientists at regional and international levels,” it said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in the same statement emphasized the importance of forensic science to increase the success of the prosecution case involving wildlife in court.

"Efforts in this field are strengthened through the empowerment of research technology and strategic collaboration," he said.

-- BERNAMA