科學家找到從猛禽羽毛上提取偷獵者指紋方法

科學家們稱，他們在打擊對付野生動物犯罪問題上取得了的法庭證據方麵的重大突破。此突破可以從動物的羽毛上提取犯罪分子的指紋。以下是 BBC記者 Rebecca Morelle 的報道：

The white-tailed eagle is the UK's largest bird of prey. But like many raptors, it's a victim of wildlife crime.

The latest RSPB [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds] figures reveal that in 2013 there were more than 120 confirmed incidents of shooting, trapping, and poisoning of birds of prey in the UK.

But scientists say that if the dead birds have been handled, possibly while being discarded, crucial fingerprint evidence can now be gathered. A team from Abertay University, in Dundee, has shown for the first time that the incriminating marks can be lifted from the birds' flight feathers, using fluorescent powders. They have also recovered fingerprints from eggs, which could help police to track down and prosecute illegal collectors.

Glossary 詞彙表

bird of prey 猛禽類

trapping 設陷阱誘捕（鳥類）

crucial 關鍵性的，至關重要的

incriminating 涉案的，使某人顯得有罪的

fluorescent 熒光的

track down 追捕到