ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 9

International Trade in Bear Gall Bladders: Forensic Source Inference
Espinoza, EO
National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, OR

Shafer, JA
National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, OR

Hagey, LR
University of California, CA

(Received 27 November 1992; accepted 7 May 1993)

Abstract

Fresh and desiccated gall bladders of the Ursidae family (bears) obtained as criminal evidence were characterized by analysis of the principal biliary components, mainly ursodeoxycholyl-taurine, cholyl-taurine and chenodeoxycholyl-taurine using TLC and HPLC. This bile acids profile appears to be an Ursidae family characteristic. Results show that of the samples from Asia only 3% were from the Ursidae family and 18% were from “farmed bears.” Samples seized in the U.S.A. and Canada showed that 22.6% and 85% respectively, were from Ursids. The remaining samples were consistent with bile from the domestic pig (Suidae).

Keywords:
criminalistics, forensic source inference, illegal trade, bear gall bladder

Paper ID: JFS13540J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13540J
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