Knowing Is Better than Wondering: The Cataloging of Natural Heritage between Museum Studies and Crime

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the role of natural heritage cataloging when criminal events challenge natural history museums. This study investigates the rhino horn thefts in Italian natural history museums from 2011 to 2015 to provide a comprehensive framework for these robberies while highlighting the weaknesses and strengths to prevent thefts and safeguard both rhino horns and natural history collections from future targeting.

Keywords

• theft
• security
• natural heritage
• museum collections
• cataloging