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OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Methods for distinguishing captive-bred from wild individuals

Describe

the need:

The ability to distinguish between captive-bred versus wild individuals of a given species or 

taxon is important for ensuring compliance with both restrictions on captive breeding and 

on illegal taking or trade in protected species (1). Biological changes that occur based on 

short-term captivity are largely unknown and can be a confounding factor when 

differentiating between exclusively captive-bred and wild individuals (2). Forensic 

determination of illegal trade and harvesting practices of wild fauna is critical to their 

protection through identification of the source populations, which can include migratory 

species (3). Furthermore, the ability to differentiate captive and wild individuals allows the 

legal pet industry to be distinguished from illegal or fraudulent breeding programs. Stable 

isotope analysis of biological tissues has been used to examine variation between captive 

and wild-sourced populations (4, 5, 6, 7). However, more research is needed to establish 

stable isotope databases for species and populations, as well as their different tissue types, 

of forensic interest, using suitable biological source materials. Species listed by the US 

Endangered Species Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species 

of Wild Fauna and Flora are priorities for this research. 

Keyword(s): Captive-bred, wild, pet, illegal trade, fraud, breeding, isotope

Submitting subcommittee(s): Wildlife Forensic Biology Date Approved: 10/7/2022

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

No current or planned standard identified.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

Yes, multiple approaches are currently underway utilizing various methods, including genetics, stable 

isotopes, elemental analysis, etc. However, a more systematic approach applied to species in the illegal 

wildlife trade is needed. 
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3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

1. TRAFFIC (2012). Captive Bred, or Wild Taken? TRAFFIC International, Cambridge, UK

2. Horreo, J. L., Valiente, A. G., Ardura, A., Blanco, A., Garcia-Gonzalez, C., & Garcia-Vazquez, E. (2017). 

Nature versus nurture? Consequences of short captivity in early stages. Ecology and Evolution, 8(1), 

521–529. 

3. Jiguet, F., Kardynal, K. J., & Hobson, K. A. (2019). Stable isotopes reveal captive vs wild origin of 

illegally captured songbirds in France. Forensic Science International, 302, 109884. 

4. Wassenaar, L. I., & Hobson, K. A. (2006). Stable-hydrogen isotope heterogeneity in keratinous 

materials: mass spectrometry and migratory wildlife tissue subsampling strategies. Rapid 

Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM, 20(16), 2505–2510. 

5. Turner Tomaszewicz, C. N., Seminoff, J. A., Price, M., & Kurle, C. M. (2017). Stable isotope 

discrimination factors and between-tissue isotope comparisons for bone and skin from captive and 

wild green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM, 31(22), 

1903–1914. 

6. Hebert, C. E., Popp, B. N., Fernie, K. J., Ka'apu-Lyons, C., Rattner, B. A., & Wallsgrove, N. (2016). 

Amino Acid Specific Stable Nitrogen Isotope Values in Avian Tissues: Insights from Captive American 

Kestrels and Wild Herring Gulls. Environmental Science & Technology, 50(23), 12928–12937.

7. Evans, R. D., Hickie, B., Rouvinen-Watt, K., & Wang, W. (2016). Partitioning and kinetics of 

methylmercury among organs in captive mink (Neovison vison): A stable isotope tracer 

study. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 42, 163–169. 

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

Forensic Biology/DNA, Scientific Research, Increased information about the discriminatory power and 

sensitivity of alternate biological analyses (e.g., proteomics, microbiome, plants, animals) to associate 

individuals with crime scene evidence.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

This research will help provide novel forensic methods for enforcing wildlife trade regulations.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

These methods would provide robust, quantifiable techniques that satisfy Daubert criteria for distinguishing 

captive bred and wild individuals. 
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7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

The ability to provide objective, scientific information pertinent to captive-bred and wild-caught organisms, 

and the laws and regulations governing them, allows the criminal justice system to determine if a violation 

has occurred. With this information, violators can be prosecuted, and non-violations can be dismissed, thus 

informing effective enforcement of laws and regulations. 

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): II

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.