Animal Abuse and Unlawful Killing

• IntroductionDefinition of forensic veterinary pathology - a developing specialty.The relationship between the forensic veterinary pathologist and the courts. Why do it?The forensic examination and reportThe locus: types of loci, value of attending at the locus, notes and photographs * The forensic necropsy procedure: standard procedures, avoidance of pitfalls, natural diseaseInterpretation of findings *Report writing: plain English, formatting and numberingEstimation of the post mortem interval * Rigor mortis, post mortem changes including adipocere and mummification, immunohistochemistry, entomology and environmental cluesWounds and other injuriesSuperficial injuries: skin wounds including abrasions, incisions, lacerations and stab wounds * Bruising and haemorrhage * Internal injuries: blunt trauma; penetrating wounds; head; thoracic; abdominal; pelvic and limb injuriesNon- accidental injuryTerminology and definitions * Features that raise suspicion * Links to violence in the home * Limitations on application of current knowledge to non-companion animalsAsphyxia and DrowningDefinition of asphyxia * General features * Strangulation, Choking & Smothering, Suffocation & Crush Asphyxia, Poisonous gases, Smoke inhalation, DrowningFirearmsTypes of weapons and ammunition: air rifles, shotguns, rifles and crossbows * Firearm injuries: air rifle pellets wounds, shotgun pellet wounds, high and low velocity rifle bullet woundsTraps and snaresIllegal use of traps and snares * Injuries caused by spring traps * Injuries caused by snares * Deaths in cage trapsDog bite injuriesInjuries to hares killed during hare coursing * Injuries to roe deer seized by dogs * Injuries to domestic livestock following stock worryingPoisoningNecropsy features raising suspicion of chemical poisoningThermal injuriesBurns and scalds * Pathologic features in cats fatally injured in microwave ovens and tumble dryers * Electrocution * Heatstroke *Frostbite NeglectDogs, cats, other domestic pets and livestock: deprivation of the normal necessities of life * Lack of veterinary treatment: chronic lameness in livestock; neglected injuries; neoplasia; diarrhoea; loss of weight * Sexual abuse * Terminology * Types of injuries in companion animals * Objects used * Estimation of the age of lesions * Bruises, healing wounds, fractures, peri-osteal responses * Use of histopathology in forensic cases * Confirmation or exclusion of specific changes or lesions.Smoke inhalation

This may not be a comfortable book to read, but every veterinary surgeon in practice should have a copy on their shelves, and it ought to be essential reading for new graduates. It deals specifically with non-accidental injury to animals. The text is attractively laid out and well illustrated with full colour pictures and line diagrams. The first pathology textbook dedicated to non-accidental injury in animals in the UK.Veterinary Record, February 2009 "The senior author's experience in this field is very apparent from both the text and the images...This is a useful addition to forensic literature. It should be available to any veterinary surgeon who is involved in legal cases where cruelty or unlawful killing is alleged."Veterinary Practice, June 2010"The book, written by a husband-and-wife team of veterinary pathologists with many years' experience of assessing accidental animal injury, is indeed a gourmet sandwich. It is the text that many established veterinary pathologists have been waiting for, particularly those who may be engaged in or likely to encounter forensci and legal veterinary pathology." The Bulletin, July 2009