Investigation of Illegal Logging in the Republic of Slovenia

Abstract

Illegal logging is one of the pressing problems of modern society that leaves behind huge devastated areas and destroyed habitats. Illegal logging includes various forms of illegal felling of trees; ranging from the use of the latest modern machines and equipped teams, to local residents who just cut firewood. Based on official data, Slovenia does not have any problems with illegal logging, but according to unofficial data concerns are also increasing in the Slovenian territory. In addition to detection, the investigation of illegal logging is also important; therefore, the aim of the paper is to present in greater detail the characteristics of the illegal logging crime scene investigation. It is a unique and unrepeatable act, where (often significant) material evidence is obtained, thereby authors stress the specificities in each stage of illegal logging crime scene investigation in Slovenia. In addition to the methods of committing offenses, the problems that arise in the process of investigation are discussed, and also individual cases of the organized criminal groups' involvement in illegal logging are for Slovenia typical also perpetrators that are private forest owners whose desires exceed the capabilities provided by the forest and foresters do not allow the felling. The authors propose more operation of the police and the control of the problematic areas. Thus, the additional training of staff about novelties such as the comparison of plant DNA and active cooperation with the competent services, such as district foresters, hunters or hunting wardens, are also important