Characterization of bones, rhinoceros horn and antler to identify
species are very important to check the illegal trade throughout the
world. India being one of the important biodiversity nation has yet
greater task to protect their flora and fauna. In absence of a proper
identification tools it is very difficult to prove offences in the court
of law. Therefore, attempts were made to characterize tiger (Panthera
tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus) bones, Rhino (rhinoceros
unicornis) horn and antlers of chital (Axis axis), sambar (Cervus
unicolor), swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli). The present study is an effort
to develop methods to characterize these items using modern techniques
like: Morphometry, XRD, XRF, SEM, ICP-MS, TGA, Isotopic analysis,
Protein and DNA profiles. Results clearly reveals that the combination
of different techniques can be used to differentiate species from
different parts and products of tiger and leopard bones, Indian
rhinoceros horn and antlers of different species.