Susan Wolf
Source: Alert Diver Online
November 15, 2011

"Most coral reef ecosystems suffer some level of damage from illegal human activities, including vessel groundings, destructive fishing practices and coastal pollution. Prosecuting the perpetrators of these coral reef crimes is an important element of effective conservation efforts, but it's also a challenging prospect - especially because most of the evidence is located underwater. Few field investigators are equipped to handle coral reef criminal or civil cases.

Fortunately, an innovative program is training natural resource investigators to do just that. Utilizing forensic science techniques modified for use underwater, the Coral Reef Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) program provides resource managers and law enforcement personnel with the tools, strategies and specialized training required to gather and preserve courtroom-worthy evidence from the marine environment."

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