Student project bites back at big cat crime
A Staffordshire University student has teamed up with zoos across the UK to help combat wildlife crime
Born and raised in Italy, Federica Brandimarte never had the opportunity to take practical science lessons at school and chose to study BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation at Staffordshire University to get hands-on experience in the lab.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to do something related to forensics. The fact that the UK and especially Staffs provided such a great course in Forensic Investigation made me want to follow my dream, move to a different country and start this new experience.”
During her degree, animal lover Federica investigated how microscopic hair analysis can be used to address the illegal wildlife trade.
She explained: “Wildlife crime is a current and global problem. Many species of big cats are threatened by wildlife trafficking due to the exotic pet trade and also demand for their teeth, claws, bones, fur and skins.
“For this reason, hair present on a wildlife crime scene can be used to tell if a particular species has been present. But currently, investigators are unable to tell the difference between hair from different big cat species.”
For Federica’s final year project, handlers at six zoos across the UK collected samples from 32 different animals - including jaguars, leopards, cheetahs, lions and tigers - and she created a database of unique characteristics to help identify hair from each species.
“In future, I would like my research to be used to lower cases of wildlife crimes committed against these animals which are currently endangered and at high risk of extinction by simply trying to find hair samples on the crime scene.”
During her studies, Federica found a home from home in Stoke-on-Trent and after finishing her course this summer she hopes to return to the UK to complete a master’s degree.
“I was welcomed at Staffs in a very kind and friendly way. Living in Stoke-on-Trent has been amazing, especially because I managed to make new friends not just from my course and the university but also outside my course and the university.
“The lecturers and my tutors have been absolutely amazing they’ve supported me over the last three years and I’m very grateful to them for that reason. This course was definitely worth the time and energy because it has taught me so many things.”
Heaeer more from Federica on Staffordshire University's YouTube channel.
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Amy Platts
Media Communications Officer
t: 01782 292702
m: 07799 341911
e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk
Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.
We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020.
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries.
We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.
