Training Programme
Wildlife crime is one of the hardest types of crime to investigate and prosecute. It crosses borders, involves complex networks, and often leaves behind little evidence – unless you know exactly what to look for.
The WildLIFE Crime Academy offers a three-level, hands-on training programme designed to give professionals the tools they need to tackle wildlife crime from start to finish.
This high-impact programme combines scientific knowledge, legal expertise, and field-tested techniques to build stronger, more coordinated enforcement across Europe, North Africa and the Caucasus. Training takes place in Spain and is led by a team of experienced professionals in law enforcement, forensics and crime scene investigation.
Proven results, expanding reach
Between 2021 and 2024, the Academy delivered five international training courses - two Level I, two Level II, and one Level III.
A total of 66 professionals completed the courses, representing a diverse group of enforcement, judicial and conservation experts.
Participants came from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, Italy, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Spain.
Many graduates went on to lead national training sessions, reaching over 650 additional professionals across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
In its next phase, the Academy will expand its reach across Europe, North Africa and the Caucasus through new levels of international collaboration.
By 2028, the Academy aims to train 100+ core professionals in Spain and enable them to reach over 1,000 colleagues through national-level sessions.
Participants and Selection
Who participates?
Participants are nominated by national partner organisations in each country. Selection focuses on professionals who play an active role in wildlife crime prevention and enforcement and who are committed to sharing what they learn with others.
Candidates are chosen based on:
- Relevant professional experience and institutional role
- Commitment to training peers
- Ability to contribute to national strategies and enforcement protocols
Participants typically include:
- Law enforcement officers and environmental agents
- Prosecutors and members of the judiciary
- Forensic scientists and toxicologists
- Veterinarians and conservation experts
Three Levels of Training
Specialisation in forensic and police investigation of wildlife crime
This first level focuses on giving participants a solid foundation in wildlife crime investigation – especially in cases involving poisoning, shooting and electrocution.
Topics include:
- Basic crime scene investigation (CSI) techniques
- Identifying causes of death in wildlife
- Forensic sample collection and documentation in the field
- Standardised forms and CSI data sheets
- Legal procedures and presenting evidence in court
- Analysis of poisoning trends and successful enforcement models
- Introduction to firearms, ammunition, and ballistics
- Reading body language during interviews
By the end of Level 1, participants will be able to secure wildlife crime scenes, identify key evidence and follow procedures that hold up in court.
Investigation of wildlife crime
Level 2 takes things deeper-diving into lab analysis, advanced profiling and coordinated enforcement.
Topics include:
- Forensic toxicology and entomology
- Advanced ballistics, signature analysis, and necropsy protocols
- Interpreting post-mortem indicators
- Criminal profiling and behavioural analysis
- Coordinating with forensic labs and avoiding false negatives
- Working with canine detection units
- Organising and managing rapid-response task forces
Graduates of Level 2 will be ready to conduct complex investigations and manage evidence all the way to prosecution.
Wildlife crime analysis and intelligence
In this final level, trained investigators develop into team leaders, intelligence analysts, and future trainers.
Topics include:
- Criminal profiling and behavioural evidence analysis (BEA)
- Intelligence gathering methods (including OSINT and HUMINT)
- Preparing as an expert witness and courtroom delivery
- Investigating organised wildlife trafficking routes
- Evaluating traps, electrocution cases, and physical evidence
- Leadership skills and team coordination
- How to train other professionals effectively
Level 3 graduates are ready to lead national investigations, contribute to intelligence networks and train others across agencies.
