This document is copyrighted © by the AAFS Standards Board, LLC. 2019 All rights are reserved. 

410 North 21st Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, www.asbstandardsboard.org. 

ANSI/ASB Standard 028, First Edition 

2019 

Wildlife Forensics Morphology Standards

 
ANSI/ASB Standard 028, 1st Ed. 2019 

Wildlife Forensics Morphology Standards 

ASB Approved December 2018 

ANSI Approved May 2019 

410 North 21st Street 

Colorado Springs, CO 80904 

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ANSI/ASB Standard 028, 1st Ed. 2019 

Foreword 

This document is intended to assist wildlife forensic practitioners in developing protocols and 

procedures that utilize best practices in the field of morphology. 

Morphology is the study of form. In a wildlife forensic context, it is the discipline that uses physical 

comparison to identify wildlife parts and products, typically to the order, family, genus, or species 

source. Depending on the nature of the evidence, a variety of macroscopic and microscopic 

comparison techniques may be employed. Macroscopic examinations evaluate gross morphology 

seen without visual enhancement. Microscopic examinations are used to document details of 

external and/or internal structures and/or cross-sectional profiles of structures that are too small 

for gross external examination.

Most analyses performed by a forensic wildlife morphologist are based on class characters (e.g. 

general characters shared by a group of animals), not characters unique to a particular individual. 

Shared quantitative and/or qualitative morphological characteristics are used by scientists to 

specify or define taxonomic groups, such as orders, families, genera, and species. Frequently, 

morphological characters may be reliably associated with evolutionary lineages down to the 

species level. Individualization, in contrast, requires the recognition of characters that uniquely 

identify a specific individual. Individualization based on morphological characters is rarely 

attempted in wildlife cases. 

Morphological comparison has been used for centuries as the basis for classic studies of biological 

structure and evolution, and is essential in the scientific work of taxonomists, anatomists, 

paleontologists, archaeologists, and forensic anthropologists. A substantial body of peer-reviewed 

literature exists that supports the scientific rigor and utility of morphological comparison 

techniques. 

All hyperlinks and web addresses shown in this document are current as of the publication date of 

this standard. 

Keywords: wildlife forensics, taxonomic identification, reference collections, morphology, animal 

hair identification, feather identification, osteology, class characters

 
ANSI/ASB Standard 028, 1st Ed. 2019 

Table of Contents 

1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 

2 Normative References .................................................................................................................................................... 1 

3 Terms and Definitions .................................................................................................................................................... 1 

4 Standards ............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 

4.1 General .............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 

4.2 Process of Morphological Examination – External Remains ...................................................................... 3 

4.3 Process of Morphological Examination – Osteological Remains............................................................... 3 

4.4 Process of Morphological Examination – Microscopic Structures ........................................................... 3 

5 Conformance....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 

Annex A (informative) Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 5 
ANSI/ASB Standard 028, 1st Ed. 2019 

1 

Wildlife Forensics Morphology Standards 

1 Scope 

This document provides minimum standards for wildlife forensic analysts in the subdiscipline of 

morphology. 

2 Normative References 

The document contains no normative references. See Annex A, Bibliography for other references. 

3 Terms and Definitions 

For purposes of this document, the following definitions apply. 

3.1

analyst 

A qualified individual who conducts and/or directs the analysis of forensic casework samples, 

interprets data, reaches conclusions, and/or issues reports concerning conclusions. 

3.2

anthropogenic 

Relating to having origins in human activity. 

3.3

interspecific 

Occurring among different species. 

3.4

intraspecific 

Occurring within the same species. 

3.5

morphological 

Relating to a branch of biology that deals with the form of living organisms, and with relationships 

between their structures. 

3.6

reference material 

reference specimen 

Biological specimens of known identity or data derived from them, or from published sources. 

Voucher specimens are a subset of reference material (see voucher specimen). 

3.7

taphonomy 

All of the processes resulting in the decomposition of organic material. Also pertains to the study of 

the processes affecting remains between death and discovery. 
ANSI/ASB Standard 028, 1st Ed. 2019 

2 

3.8

taxonomy 

The science of identifying and naming species with the intent of arranging them into a classification. 

3.9

voucher specimen 

Biological specimen that is representative of its species in accordance with the relevant taxonomic 

authority. Voucher specimens are of known identity, and are curated with available associated 

geographic, field collection and life history data. 

4 Requirements 

4.1 General

4.1.1 The analyst shall examine, interpret, and document morphological similarities between the 

evidence item and specimens of known species source, using additional information from scientific 

references, as appropriate. 

4.1.2 Instruments required for morphological measurements shall be subject to calibrations as 

recommended by the manufacturer, with documentation/records retained. 

4.1.3 The analyst shall consider the diagnostic value and inter- and intraspecific variability of the 

characters being analyzed. 

4.1.4 Scientific references used in morphological examinations shall be cited. 

EXAMPLE Primary scientific literature, taxonomic monographs, morphometric datasets, 

dichotomous keys, field guides, and scientifically accurate (curated) image databases. 

4.1.5 The most relevant reference specimens shall be selected as appropriate, with consideration 

of: 

a) life history stage, 

b) sex, 

c) geographical origin, 

d) similar species. 

4.1.6 In making a taxonomic identification based on morphological characters, the analyst shall 

document the following in the bench notes: 

a) type of material received as evidence, 

EXAMPLE Whole or partial organism, bone, tooth, feather, hair, ivory carving, leather, crafted 

item. 

b) intactness and condition of the evidence, 

c) morphological characters used to make the taxonomic identification, 
ANSI/ASB Standard 028, 1st Ed. 2019 

3 

d) reference materials identified by taxonomic name and reference/catalogue number, 

e) data source(s) used to verify taxonomic identification. 

4.1.7 Bench notes and data interpretation shall follow the hierarchy of taxonomy, with 

characteristics of the order noted first, followed by family-specific characters, and finally those 

diagnostic to particular genera and species, as the evidence allows. 

4.2 Process of Morphological Examination – External Remains 

4.2.1 The analyst shall consider the completeness and condition of the evidence, and the presence 

or absence of taxonomically informative characters to determine the appropriate taxonomic level to 

which identification can be made.

4.2.2 Evidence documentation shall begin with a detailed description and examination of the 

remains as submitted. This documentation may include a description of the shipping container and 

packing materials, and should include the physical condition in which the remains are received.

4.2.3 Documentation shall include a description of the remains as they are received. This shall 

include a description of taphonomic indicators, and traits to assist in the establishment of the 

biological profile, to include sex, life stage, and age, as the evidence allows. 

4.3 Process of Morphological Examination – Osteological Remains 

4.3.1 Skeletonization shall not be undertaken without consulting the submitting agent/officer.

4.3.2 Evidence documentation shall include a description of the osteological elements examined, 

their physical condition, and any taphonomic or anthropogenic alterations.

4.3.3 If sufficient material is available, the analyst shall determine life history stage, such as adult, 

subadult, juvenile, or neonate, by evaluating age-informative characters for the taxon in question.

EXAMPLE Epiphyseal fusion of skeletal elements or relative completeness of dental eruption or 

wear in mammals.

4.3.4 If sufficient material is available, the analyst shall determine the sex of the animal by 

evaluating sex-informative characters for the taxon in question.

4.4 Process of Morphological Examination – Microscopic Structures 

4.4.1 Detailed examination of integumentary structures, such as hair and feathers, shall begin 

with documentation of gross features such as color, pattern, size, length and/or shape.

4.4.2 Identifications shall be made based upon validated laboratory protocols for taxon-specific 

characters with documentation of:

a) reference materials identified by structure (e.g. mounted hairs or feather barbs), 

b) taxonomic name and reference/catalogue number, 

c) data source(s) used to verify taxonomic identification. 
ANSI/ASB Standard 028, 1st Ed. 2019 

4 

5 Conformance 

Conformance to these standards is reflected in the documentation of criteria indicated in these 

standards. 

 
ANSI/ASB Standard 028, 1st Ed. 2019 

5 

Annex A 

(informative)

Bibliography 

The references listed here include the key materials upon which these standards are based, and 

some additional references for context or specific issues covered. This is not intended to be an 

exhaustive list of relevant literature. 

1] Anderson, R.M. Methods of collecting and preserving vertebrate animals. Bulletin No. 69, 

Biological Series No. 18, 1965. National Museum of Canada, Ottawa. 

2] Baumel, J.J. (ed.) Nomina anatomica avium: an annotated anatomical dictionary of birds, 2nd ed. 

1993. Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, No. 23, Cambridge, MA. 

3] Brunner, H., and B. Coman. The identification of mammalian hairs. 1974. Melbourne: Inkata 

Press Ltd. 

4] Dove, C.J. and S.L. Koch. “Microscopy of feathers: a practical guide for forensic feather 

identification.” JASTEE, 2010.1:15-61. 

5] Eschmeyer W.N, R. Fricke (eds) Catalog of fishes. 

(http://www.calacademy.org/scientists/projects/catalog-of-fishes 

6] France, D. Human and Nonhuman Bone Identification: A Color Atlas. 2008.CRC Press. Boca Raton, 

FL. 

7] von den Driesch, A. A guide to the measurement of animal bones from archaeological sites. 

Bulletin No. 1, 1976. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 

Cambridge, MA. 

8] Martin, D.L. Identification of reptile skin products using scale morphology. In, Wildlife forensics: 

methods and applications, 1st ed. Edited by J.E. Huffman and J.R. Wallace, 2012. pp. 161-199. 

Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 

9] McAlpine, J.F. Manual of Nearctic Diptera (Volume 1), 1987 (Volume 2), 1990 (Volume 3). 1983. 

Research Branch, Agriculture Canada 

10] Petraco, N. “A microscopical method to aid in the identification of animal hair.” Microscope, 

1987. 35(1):83-92 

11] Rose, C.L., C.A. Hawks, and H.H. Genoways. (eds) Storage of natural history collections: a 

preventive conservation approach. 1995.New York: Society for the Preservation of Natural 

History Collections 

12] Simmons, J.E. Herpetological collecting and collections management, revised ed. Herpetological 

Circular No. 31, 2002. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles 

13] Moore, T.D., L.E. Spence, C.E. Dugnolle, and W.P. Hepworth. Identification of the dorsal guard 

hairs of some mammals of Wyoming. 1974. Wyoming Game and Fish Department Bulletin 14. 

14] Organization for Scientific Area Committees, Wildlife Forensics Subcommittee, Wildlife 

Forensics General Standards. 
 

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