Fayette County, GA - September 20, 2025 – Clayton State University recently hosted the “Where the Forensics Meets the Wild Summit: Wildlife Crime & Forensics,” a rigorous two-day training event held on September 17–18, 2025. The summit brought together a unique, international consortium of veterinary, animal welfare, legal, academic, and law enforcement professionals dedicated to combating the global rise in wildlife crime. Sergeant Bryan Clanton, Fayette County Marshal’s Office, attended the training.
“I was very pleased that Sgt. Clanton had the opportunity to learn from international experts in the field of wildlife investigations. For years, the Marshal's Office has taken an active role in investigating crimes involving wildlife. This training will enable us to ensure that we remain up to date with the latest investigative techniques,” Chief Marshal Lem Miller said.
The training emphasized the critical role of forensic science and interdisciplinary collaboration in bringing wildlife criminals to justice. Participants hailed from diverse locations, including the Netherlands, Wales, and South Africa, fostering a rich environment for networking and the exchange of global best practices.
A Focus on Next-Generation Forensics and Hands-On Training
Day 1 of the summit featured dynamic, cross-disciplinary presentations from leading experts on topics essential to modern wildlife crime investigation. Sessions covered veterinary forensics, animal law, forensic entomology, and taphonomy, alongside discussions on the role of AI and Robotics in Conservation and effective wildlife crime control.
Day 2 was dedicated to immersive, hands-on workshops. Professionals engaged in real-world scenarios, including crime scene processing and necropsies. Attendees reported high value in specialized sessions such as:
- Wildlife Forensics and Zoonoses
- Next-Gen Forensics: AI and Robotics in Conservation
- Open-Source Intelligence Gathering and Analysis (OSINT)
Clanton highlighted the impact of the training: “The sessions on AI and OSINT were particularly impressive, allowing me to refresh and sharpen my intelligence-gathering skills with exposure to new software and techniques.”
Collaborative Necropsy Session Offers Unique Insights
The most engaging practical session involved an active Wildlife Forensics Necropsy workshop. The experience included the examination of species, both native and non-native, generously donated by Zoo Atlanta, all of which had died of natural causes.
This workshop transformed into a unique collaborative effort, led by an experienced wildlife veterinarian from South Africa. While the facilitator provided expert instruction on necropsy techniques, local participants shared their insights on the native species’ behavior and life cycles.
“[The necropsy session] was my favorite experience,” Clanton said. “It truly embodied the spirit of international, multidisciplinary collaboration that makes these educational opportunities so valuable.”
The summit concluded with the “Into the Wild: A Forensic Fête” Gala, allowing participants to celebrate their shared purpose and expanded professional network while enjoying traditional South African cuisine.
The summit successfully equipped professionals with advanced forensic and intelligence-gathering skills, significantly strengthening the international effort to investigate and prosecute wildlife crime.