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Four Creepy, Cool Ways Roadkill Helps Science

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 6:20 GMT by National Geographic news
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Roadkill, the Unexpected Goldmine of Wildlife Forensics

When the word “roadkill” first comes to mind, most people picture a sad, abandoned animal, its body broken up in a traffic collision, and a driver’s guilty conscience. In the United States alone, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials estimates that over 100 million animals are struck by vehicles each year, and many more are injured. That grim statistic has not gone unnoticed by scientists. A recent National Geographic article, “Roadkill Uses Science and Forensics to Save Animals” (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/roadkill-uses-science-forensics-animals), takes readers on a journey through the growing field of wildlife forensics – the application of scientific techniques typically reserved for human crime scenes to the world of road-killed animals.

From crime scene to conservation site

The article opens with the story of Dr. Sarah G. McDonald, a forensic biologist who has spent the last decade turning the bodies of road‑killed wildlife into valuable research samples. By comparing the blood chemistry of a deer that was struck on a rural highway with that of a healthy, captive deer, McDonald was able to detect elevated levels of lead – a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body of any animal that consumes contaminated feed, water, or even inhaled dust from vehicles. Her findings spurred a local environmental agency to conduct a broader survey of lead exposure in the region’s deer population, ultimately resulting in stricter regulations on industrial emissions.

Dr. McDonald’s work is only one example of how scientists apply the tools of forensic science – DNA extraction, blood spatter analysis, and even bite‑mark comparison – to wildlife. The article explains that the first use of DNA in road‑kill investigations dates back to the 1990s when researchers sought to confirm whether a particular animal was killed illegally or was simply a victim of traffic. Today, DNA barcoding is routinely used to identify species in cases where an animal’s classification is uncertain, such as distinguishing between similar species of skunks or small mammals that are often mistaken for one another on the road.

Gathering data that would otherwise be lost

Roadkill provides a unique, “high‑frequency” sampling of wildlife populations. Because traffic intersects so many different habitats, the animals that become casualties are a cross‑section of the local ecosystem – from the common white‑tailed deer and coyotes of the Midwest to the more exotic gray foxes and bobcats of the Southwest. By compiling road‑kill data across seasons and years, scientists can estimate population density, monitor changes in species distribution, and even detect the spread of invasive species.

The article cites a study in Oregon where researchers used tissue samples from road‑killed black‑tailed deer to track the movement of deer that migrated from Canada in search of milder winters. By analyzing mitochondrial DNA, they were able to identify distinct family groups and trace their paths across the state, providing crucial data for wildlife managers tasked with balancing hunting regulations and conservation efforts.

The practical side: working with law enforcement and road‑side teams

An often‑overlooked aspect of wildlife forensics is the partnership between scientists and law‑enforcement agencies. The article points to a joint project in California where the Department of Fish and Wildlife collaborates with the state’s Highway Patrol to investigate cases of “illegal roadkill.” By using DNA analysis to confirm the species of a dead animal, law‑enforcement officials can prove that a protected species was unlawfully hunted or possessed, and impose penalties accordingly.

In addition, the article highlights how forensic methods help determine the circumstances of a collision. By studying blood spatter patterns on a horse’s neck or a raccoon’s body, investigators can deduce whether an animal was struck from the left or right side of the road, how fast the vehicle was traveling, and even whether the driver had been speeding. These data can inform road‑design changes, such as the placement of wildlife overpasses or the addition of speed‑radar zones.

Turning tragedy into opportunity

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the National Geographic piece is its call to action. While roadkill is undeniably a tragic loss of life, the article emphasizes that the knowledge gained from forensic investigations can help prevent future casualties. By mapping high‑traffic collision hotspots and correlating them with species movement patterns, wildlife managers can design wildlife corridors, install crossing bridges, and modify traffic signals to reduce the number of animals killed each year.

The article’s final section encourages readers to support wildlife‑friendly road design and to appreciate the “hidden science” that turns each unfortunate collision into a data point for conservation. As Dr. McDonald puts it, “Every carcass is a silent witness that can speak for itself, telling us not just how many animals are being killed, but why they’re being killed, and what we can do to stop it.”

For those interested in exploring the science in depth, the National Geographic article links to additional resources such as the “Forensic Wildlife Identification” guide, the “DNA Barcoding of Endangered Species” study, and a podcast featuring Dr. McDonald’s conversation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. These links provide further insight into the meticulous work of wildlife forensics and underscore the field’s growing importance in the broader effort to harmonize transportation infrastructure with ecological stewardship.