Digital Identification Tools in Regulatory Science and Practice

Correct identification of potentially invasive organisms detected at the border, or which have already been introduced into a country, is critical to any biosecurity strategy. Taxonomic specialists have traditionally provided identification services. Unfortunately, taxonomy is a discipline in rapid decline globally, and taxonomists are often unavailable for routine identification. Molecular technology offers an alternative diagnostic tool, but currently is not generally available for the wide range of organisms that must be identified. Moreover, molecular diagnostics probably will not replace traditional identification techniques needed for rapid and confirmatory visual identification procedures. This chapter shows how the development of new software programmes and web technology provides a readily available and practical solution to the problem of achieving rapid and accurate identification of invasive pests intercepted by regulatory programmes. The current use of digital interactive keys and image databases indicate they have considerable potential to train and support biosecurity agency surveillance teams and situations in which the identification of invasive species is important. This chapter provides background information on the traditional, “dichotomous” key system and then describes the essential features of online dichotomous keys, matrix keys and image databases. Examples are provided on the way in which these tools are currently being used. The chapter concludes with a description of remote microscope diagnostics. Together with other developments (collaborative key development projects, cybertaxonomy, increased linkages between digital keys and image databases, and mobile phone technology) remote microscopy is likely to influence the future of digital identification aids.