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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland schools set to begin work on turf field ... Ashland parks director offers up new public pool option ... Top tree expert coming to Ashland ... Ashland schools set to begin work on turf field ... Ashland parks director offers up new public pool option ... Top tree expert coming to Ashland ... CRIME LAB Case of dead eagles lands in Ashland One-of-a-kind animal forensics lab called on to determine cause of death Comment By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@Joe_Zavala99 DailyTidings.com By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@Joe_Zavala99 Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 1:54 PM By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@Joe_Zavala99 Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 1:54 PM » Social News It’s been called the CSI lab for animals, after the family of popular crime scene investigation television shows. Now investigators at Ashland’s own National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory are training their high-powered microscopes on a case that’s made national headlines. Thirteen bald eagles were found dead on a farm in Maryland Feb. 20. Now the remains of the birds of prey are being analyzed at the 40,000-square-foot building at 1490 E. Main St. The lab, the only one of its kind in the world, has been tasked with determining the cause of death in a case that’s been covered by The Washington Post, National Geographic, CNN and The New York Times, along with other major news outlets. If the birds were poisoned, the person or persons responsible could face a hefty fine and jail time. Bald eagles are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and felony convictions carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or two years of prison. According to the Associated Press, Bob Edgell discovered some of the birds on his Federalsburg, Md., farm and told WMDT-TV he hasn’t laid any poison on his farm. The Maryland Natural Resources Police announced through Twitter last week Monday a $10,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction in the case. According to the forensics laboratory’s information page, the staff includes analysts in the disciplines of genetics, chemistry, pathology, morphology and criminalistics. “These analysts respond to requests for species identification, cause of death, analysis of chemicals including poisons and pesticides, and examination of bullets,” it reads. Natural resources police spokesperson Candy Thomson told the New York Times that the wildlife officials would explore the possibility that the birds were poisoned, adding that necropsies and X-rays would be performed in Ashland. Forensics laboratory director Ken Goddard was in Las Vegas attending a forensics meeting Thursday and was unavailable for a phone interview, but he was able to answer a few questions via email. Goddard wrote that he can’t discuss active cases but described in general terms what his team of investigators do. “It takes about four hours for one of our veterinary pathologists to conduct a basic necropsy of a submitted animal,” he wrote, “but she can’t determine cause of death until one of our chemists analyzes blood, urine, liver, kidneys and stomach contents for pesticides and other poisons (usually a two-week process depending on lots of things).” Goddard could not confirm that the eagles were sent to Ashland, and indicated that even if they had that doesn’t necessarily mean the birds are being analyzed anytime soon. “We always have a lot of carcasses in our freezers waiting for a necropsy,” he wrote, “so timing is a matter of when we can begin working on any particular animal.” The lab’s frequently asked questions page lists the sorts of evidence it receives, including whole animal carcasses for cause of death analysis to objects made from wildlife parts, such as fur coats and leather boots. It went on to explain that the staff works on almost all types of federally protected plants and animals. Goddard confirmed as much during a 2014 interview with a National Public Radio show based on Boston. “We got surprised by seven decomposed skunks one day,” Goddard told “Here and Now” host Robin Young. “We heard about it early because the FedEx pilot had to go into oxygen bringing the box in. We get things decomposed — 18-foot boa constrictor melting in the Everglades, eagles, wolves, cougars — for cause of death. Pieces, parts, products of animals.” Joe Zavala is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 541-821-0829 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @Joe_Zavala99. By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@Joe_Zavala99 DailyTidings.com By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@Joe_Zavala99 Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 1:54 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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