Tiny samples of DNA taken from a wide variety of animal sources can pinpoint hotspots of the illegal wildlife trade, utilizing a new research technique - and eventually lead to dismantling lucrative poaching networks. The study focused on pangolins - with their scales prized for traditional medicine. One of the most poached species, they account for almost a third of recorded international seizures in recent years. Genetic data can be valuable for tracing trafficked animals to their place of origin, but the method has been hindered by difficulties in obtaining genetic samples of pangolins.