Dr. Dwi Sendi Priyono, a lecturer from the UGM Faculty of Biology (Biology UGM) and an expert in wildlife forensic DNA, has been officially appointed as Indonesia’s first full member of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Science (SWFS), an international organization dedicated to wildlife forensic science.
With his full membership, Dr. Priyono hopes to enhance the handling of wildlife crimes in Indonesia, a country known for its extraordinary biodiversity and a hub for illegal wildlife trade.
Dr. Priyono shared that through this membership, he aims to collaborate with international experts to develop more effective methods for addressing wildlife crimes and supporting efforts to conserve endangered species in Indonesia.
“My main motivation for joining SWFS is to expand my professional network and access the latest knowledge in wildlife forensic science, particularly in DNA approaches,” Dr. Priyono stated in his remarks to reporters on Wednesday (Aug. 21).
As Indonesia is a center of global mega biodiversity, tackling wildlife crimes is increasingly complex. According to him, illegal wildlife trade often involves confiscated goods that are not intact, making it difficult to identify them morphologically.
“Skills in DNA testing are crucial,” he emphasized.
Becoming a full member of SWFS is not easy. Dr. Priyono had to undergo a rigorous selection process, which included assessing his portfolio in wildlife forensic DNA and securing at least two recommendations from international wildlife forensic experts. The biggest challenge he faced was meeting the high standards set by SWFS.
“My involvement in assisting various cases with agencies such as the Indonesian National Police Headquarters, the Police Intelligence and Security Agency, and the scientific work that has been published helped me secure this full membership,” he revealed.
Dr. Priyono’s expertise in forensic DNA identification techniques did not emerge overnight. Before becoming a lecturer at UGM, he was deeply involved in wildlife conservation with various NGOs.
“Wildlife forensic DNA technology is not new in global conservation, but it has not been widely adopted in Indonesia due to limited human resources and facilities,” he explained.
With his academic background, Dr. Priyono aims to contribute scientifically to support legal actions against wildlife trade violations in Indonesia. He shared that his team uses forensic DNA techniques to analyze forensic evidence from wildlife cases.
“We use DNA techniques to identify species and confirm whether the evidence comes from protected species,” he explained.
One of his most memorable cases was successfully identifying the geographical origin of smuggled elephant tusks.
“The results of this analysis played a crucial role in the legal process and supported conservation efforts by providing strong scientific evidence,” he added.
As a full member of SWFS, Dr. Priyono is now involved in developing wildlife forensic standards, sharing knowledge, and participating in global projects.
He plans to develop a project to create a comprehensive wildlife forensic database in Indonesia and enhance local capacity through training and workshops.
“These activities are expected to strengthen law enforcement and conservation efforts by providing better tools for forensic analysis,” he hopes.
Despite facing significant challenges, such as limited facilities and technology and the lack of an endemic wildlife DNA database, Dr. Priyono remains optimistic about the future of wildlife forensics in Indonesia.
With international support and stronger collaboration, he believes that local capacity in handling wildlife cases will continue to improve.
“Support from international institutions and the experience I gain from SWFS membership will bolster conservation and law enforcement efforts in Indonesia,” Dr. Priyono concluded.
Author: Dita
Editor: Gusti Grehenson