Pinpointing Poachers: Gene sleuths map illicit elephant kills

An elephant tusk never forgets its homeland. Every piece of ivory contains DNA unique to its place of origin. Now, researchers say a genetics-based technique they’ve developed is geographically precise enough to aid forensic pursuit of African-elephant poachers.

THE TUSK AT HAND. Investigators could use genetic analyses to trace ivory back to the population of elephants that produced it.