Veterinary Forensics

Melinda Merck, DVM, is owner of Veterinary Forensics Consulting, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia.

• List of Contributors xiiiForeword xvPreface xviiAcknowledgments xix1 The Legal System: The Veterinarian’s Role and Responsibilities 1Introduction 1Defining Animal Cruelty 1Governing Laws 2How Veterinarians Become Involved 2Search and Seizure 7Handling the Media in Animal Cruelty Cases 7Confidentiality 7Filing Criminal Charges and Hearings 8Non-Criminal Cases 10Trial 11Compensation for the Veterinarian 15Conclusion 162 Crime Scene Investigation 17Introduction 17The Veterinarian’s Role and Handling of Animals at the Crime Scene 18General Considerations for Crime Scene Processing 19Environment: Weather Data 19Photography and Videography 20Evidence Recognition and Documentation 21Evidence Collection and Packaging 23Exclusionary Biological Testing 24Blood Evidence 25Burial Scenes: Grave Detection, Mapping, and Excavation 293 CSI: Examination of the Animal 37General Considerations 37Determining Non-Accidental Injury 38Behavioral Considerations of Animals 41Evidence Documentation, Collection, and Packaging 41Chain of Custody 41Photography and Videography 42Examination and Documentation of the Live Animal 43External Examination 43Forensic Necropsy 47Special Considerations 58The Forensic Report 624 Special Considerations in Animal Cruelty Cases 69Large Scale Cruelty Cases 69Trace Evidence 77Forensic Botany 79DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid 81Animal Death/Injury in Human Suspicious Death/Injury Cases 83Other Unique Identifiers of Animals 84Münchausen Syndrome by Proxy 84Suffering 86Pain 90Suggested Reading on Pain in Animals 955 Blunt Force Trauma 97Overview 97Bruising/Contusions 98Abrasions 101Lacerations 103Ligature Injuries 103Avulsion Injuries 104Fractures 105Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Injuries 106Fall Injuries 107Swinging/Dragging Injuries 108Grooming-Associated Injuries 108Blunt Force Injuries to Specific Body Regions 1096 Sharp Force Injuries 123General Considerations 123Stab Wounds 124Incised-Stab Wounds 128Incised Wounds 128Chop Wounds 129Mutilations, Predator Attacks, and Dog Attacks 130Ritualistic Crimes 1347 Burn-, Electrical-, and Fire-Related Injuries 139Interpreting Burn Patterns 139Recognition and Collection of Evidence 139Burn Classification 140Systemic Effects of Burns 141General Microscopic Examination Findings in Burns 141Thermal Burns 141Chemical Burns 144Electrical Burns 145Fire-Related Injuries 1468 Firearm Injuries 151Introduction 151Overview of Firearms 151Wound Ballistics 154Determining Entrance and Exit Wounds 155Determining Gunshot Range 158Examination of Gunshot Victims 1659 Asphyxia 169Overview of Asphyxia 169General Findings in Asphyxia 169Suffocation 170Strangulation 172Mechanical Asphyxia 178Drowning 17810 Poisoning 185Overview of Intentional Poisonings 185Evidence and History 186Diagnostics 188Agents Used in Animal Poisonings 190Summary 20411 Neglect 207Introduction 207Environment Examination 208Malnutrition: Improper Feeding 209Malnutrition: Starvation 210Animal Hoarders and Animal Sanctuaries 219Puppy Mills 222Heat Stroke 223Hypothermia 226Embedded Collars 230Demodicosis 230Untreated Injuries 23012 Sexual Abuse 233Overview 233Considerations for Crime Scene Investigation 234Assessment of Videos 235General Examination Findings 235Examination Procedures 236Suspicious Examination Findings 238Zoonotic Disease 238Evaluation and Differentiation of Human and Canine Sperm and Semen 23913 Animal Fighting 243Overview of Dog Fighting 243The Fighting Dog 243Fighting Classifications 245The Fight and The Dog Fighting Pit 245Training and Fighting Paraphernalia 246Canine CODIS: Fighting Dog Combined DNA Index System 247Examination of the Animal 247Cockfighting 250Other Types of Animal Fighting 25214 Postmortem Changes and the Postmortem Interval 255Overview 255Examination of the Body 255Determining the PMI: Examination of the Crime Scene 26915 Forensic Entomology: The Use of Insects in Animal Cruelty Cases 273Introduction 273Principles of Medicolegal Entomology 274Cutaneous Myiasis: The Insect Colonization of Live Animals 276Other Uses for Insects in Animal Cruelty Investigations 278Collection of Insect Evidence 279Summary 28416 Large Animal Cruelty 287Introduction 287Assessing Pain and Suffering 287Investigation of Cruelty 288Starvation 289Body Condition Scoring 290Evaluation of Water 291Hoof Care 291Dental Care 294Shelter 296Accidental and Non-Accidental Injuries 29717 Avian Cruelty 299Pet Bird Cruelty 299Avian Abuse Defined 299Intentional Abuse 300Unintentional Abuse 301Veterinary Abuse 302Poultry Cruelty 303General Exam Findings in Pet Bird and Poultry Cruelty 307Appendices 3111. Colorado Veterinary Medical Association Protocol for Mandatory Reporting of Animal Cruelty and Animal Fighting 3112. Case Status Form 3183. Evidence Log/Chain of Custody Form 3194. Photo Log 3215. Animal Cruelty Forensic Supplies 3226. Clandestine Burial Crime Scene Checklist 3247. Veterinarian Crime Scene Checklist 3268. Deceased Animal Intake Questionnaire 3279. Live Animal Intake Questionnaire 32810. Live Exam Form 32911. Necropsy Exam Form 33012. Fixed Tissue List for Histopathology 33313. Canine Body Condition Score for 1–9 and 1–5 Scales 33414. Feline Body Condition Score for 1–9 and 1–5 Scales 33515. Dog Diagram: Condition of Skin, Haircoat, and Nails Form 33616. Cat Diagram: Condition of Skin, Haircoat, and Nails Form 33817. Cat Skeleton Lesions Form 34018. Dog Skeleton Lesions Form 34119. Cat and Dog Skeletal Inventory Form 34220. Live Exam Report Template 34421. Necropsy Report Template 34522. Forensic Medical Protocol for Large Scale Cases 34823. Large Scale Medical Supply List 35224. Large Scale Live Animal Exam Form 35625. Rapid Bird Exam Form 35826. Botany Field Report 35927. Dog Bite Investigation Worksheet 36028. Basic Small Pet Bird Care in Temporary Shelters 36629. Tuft’s Animal Care and Condition Scale for Dogs 36830. Tufts Animal Care and Condition Scale for the Environment 37031. Dogfighting Terminology 37232. Cajun Rules for Dogfighting 37433. Dogfighting Scar and Injury Chart 37634. Cockfighting Scar and Injury Chart 37735. Examples of Vitamins, Drugs, and Medical Supplies Used in Dogfighting 37836. Entomology Form for Animal Cases 38037. Webliography 383Index 387

“Let’s hope you won’t have to use it too often but definitively a very useful tool.”  (Tomorrow's vets, 1 September 2013)