Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations, Veterinary Forensics is a practical reference for veterinarians, pathologists and investigators. Written by a leading expert in veterinary forensics.
Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations
Animal cruelty is gaining attention worldwide. With the rise of mandatory reporting requirements for veterinarians and prosecution of animal cruelty, veterinarians and pathologists need the resources to properly assist in these cases. It provides the background and resources needed to work with animal abuse cases. The book offers detailed and clear direction on crime scene investigation, forensic testing and forensic pathology findings, as well as guidance on handling evidence and conducting evaluations that will hold up in court.Primarily focused on dogs and cats, the principles and techniques in this book can be applied easily to other species as well. Photographs highlight pertinent forensic findings in animals, and extensive appendices include forms for examination, report writing, entomology collection, body condition scoring, forensic kits, forensic specialists and labs, and web resources.
This book is about the veterinary forensic findings in animal cruelty cases. Veterinary forensics refers to the application of veterinary medical knowledge to matters of law. Very little has been written on the subject of veterinary forensics. With more states passing mandatory reporting requirements for veterinarians and the rise of prosecution of animal cruelty, veterinarians need more medical resources to properly assist in these cases. Most information for this book comes from the editor’s and contributors’ personal experiences with animal abuse cases. Additional information for this book has been gleaned from human forensic pathology and crime scene investigation textbooks.
A large portion of human pathology findings can be applied to animals, although many areas of research are still needed on animals. This book primarily focuses on dogs and cats, except for cockfighting in Chapter 13. The principles and techniques in this book can be applied easily to other species as well.
The book begins with a brief look at the legal system in the United States and the veterinarian’s role in cruelty cases. Becoming involved in the legal system is very intimidating and the thought of testifying can be terrifying. This chapter ex-plains the process from the beginning of an investigation to its conclusion in court.
Animal cruelty is a crime often without a witness or with a witness that cannot testify. It is imperative that veterinarians understand crime scene investigation. The case is often won or lost at the beginning of the case.
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