Establishment: Standardization of Systems and Protocols

One of the main factors hindering the development of veterinary forensic medicine is the wide diversity or absence of standard systems and protocols (Cooper & Cooper, 2007). Systematic and strictly followed protocols are needed when dealing with live or deceased animals (Cooper & Cooper, 2007). To the author’s knowledge, there are no proven guidelines about how or which samples should be obtained from animal material for legal cases or techniques for labeling, transportation, or storage. In addition, veterinarians or animal humane investigators unfamiliar with forensic work may be unaware of maintaining a chain of custody and not aware of the necessity of tamper-proof evidentiary containers in transporting evidence (Cooper & Cooper, 2007).

The forensic expert’s system of collecting and processing evidence, not their opinion, is often the vulnerable area in a court case (Cooper & Cooper, 2007). It is easier for an attorney to find issue with technical work (i.e., procedures, record keeping) than to challenge an expert’s opinion (Cooper & Cooper, 2007). Veterinary forensics is a developing discipline, and it is imperative that those who use or develop protocols share the information and receive feedback to facilitate continued alterations and improvements (Cooper & Cooper, 2007).

Since January 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) has been collecting data from law enforcement agencies on acts of animal abuse including gross neglect, torture, organized abuse (animal fighting), and sexual abuse. Acts of animal cruelty are now counted alongside felony crimes such as arson, burglary, assault, and homicide in the FBI’s expansive criminal information database (Desousa, 2016). This may provide a venue to establish databases involving animal abuse cases. Dr. Cooper in his book stresses the importance of establishing animal forensic archives for the diverse veterinary forensic issues. These might be maintained at veterinary schools or research institutes, and the material would be available for both research and evidentiary purposes (Cooper & Cooper, 2007).

Establishment: Standardization of Systems and Protocols

Research and Development: Investigative Techniques

Since Dr. Cooper’s book in 2007, there has been minimal research in the field of animal forensic sciences. Mirroring human forensic work is helpful but not always ideal. Comparative forensic medicine should be utilized, permitting lessons to be learned and applied from diverse species and disciplines. Postmortem changes and their interpretation, specifically regarding time of death, is an important example of where specific study and evaluation are required (Cooper & Cooper, 2007; Merck, 2017). Another area of interest is ballistics in animals that have been shot, especially those at distance (Cooper & Cooper, 2007). An animal shot at close range where gunshot residue (GSR) may be present is difficult to access or document due to fur. A great deal of information still needs to be researched in veterinary forensic medicine.

Collaboration

Veterinary forensic medicine does not exist in a vacuum (Figure 2.2). It overlaps with many other forensic fields and professions. Veterinary forensic medicine may require information from both medical and dental professions in the investigation of bite wounds or animal abuse cases (Aquila et al., 2014; Cooper & Cooper, 2007). This is also plausible in a reverse sense. There have been issues of human medical examiners (MEs) performing necropsies on companion animals. Human MEs are not veterinarians, and evidence may be discarded if it is not obtained by a qualified veterinary professional (McEwen & McDonough, 2016). Advances in veterinary forensic medicine will be enhanced if scientists and professionals from varied disciplines collaborate their efforts. The medical and dental professions exemplify how techniques used in humans can be applied to veterinary work or when humans and other creatures suffer similar abuse (Cooper & Cooper, 2007). Collaborative efforts with non-medical groups (i.e., law enforcement crime analysts) can also be beneficial. An example, discussed earlier in this chapter, is the cooperation between the author and a blood spatter pattern expert. The demand for interdisciplinary collaboration is increasing.

Veterinary forensics and one health system

Veterinary medicine

Human medicine

Dentistry (odontology)

Forensic science

Forensic scientific Crime scene

disciplines, e.g., ballistics blood spatter entomology

One Health

analysis investigation (evidence collections)

Figure 2.2 Diagram of the integration of veterinary forensic sciences and the One Health concept. (Courtesy of L. Siemens.)

Developments in science and multidisciplinary applications will cause ethical dilemmas that will necessitate legislation, codes of practice, or both (Cooper & Cooper, 2007).

Networking

Networking is communication with individuals who have similar interests, where sharing information may be beneficial to both parties. Networking encompasses communication via e-mail, exchanging literature, collaborative effort in authoring literature (Bradley & Rasile, 2014), and meeting in person. Conferences both nationally and internationally are excellent opportunities for networking. The exchange of literature can refer to published and unpublished information but may also include data that has not appeared in print but is available to individuals for reference (Cooper & Cooper, 2007).

Conclusion

Veterinary forensic science goes well beyond animal cruelty issues. Increasing demands are being placed on veterinarians in the United States for mandatory reporting and increasing involvement in animal welfare, wildlife, and regulatory, criminal, and civil-related issues. Education in these areas needs to be addressed in veterinary university curriculums. Research regarding veterinary forensics needs to be addressed through ongoing studies at veterinary universities and collaborative efforts with human forensic science disciplines. Veterinary forensic science is a form of comparative medicine linking human and veterinary medicine and is an important factor in the future One Health system proposed in the United States, benefiting both humans and animals (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2008).

References

American Veterinary Medical Association. 2008. One Health Initiative Task Force: Final Report July 15, 2008. One Health: A New Professional Imperative, One Health: World Health through Collaboration.

American Board Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). 2018. Shelter Medicine Practice Board Certification. www.abvp.com.

Aquila, I. C., Di Nunzio O., Paciello D., Britti F., Pepe E., De Luca, and P. Ricci. 2014. Case report: An unusual pedestrian road trauma: From forensic pathology to forensic veterinary medicine. Forensic Set International 234: el-e4.

Arkow, P. and H. Munro. 2008. The veterinary profession’s roles in recognizing and preventing family violence: The experiences of the human medicine field and the development of diagnostic indicators of non-accidental injury. In: Ascione F., ed. The International Handbook of Animal Abuse and Cruelty: Theory, Research, and Application. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press, pp. 31-58.

Bailey, D. 2016. Practical Veterinary Forensics. CAB International, Oxfordshire, UK, 201p.

Bradley, O. C. Nov 1927. What is comparative medicine? Proc R Soc Med. 21 (1): 129—134.

Bradley, N. and K. Rasile. April 2014. Recognition and management of animal sexual abuse. Clinician's Brief. 73-75.

Bradley, N. and A. Zannin. 2015. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Presented at 8th Annual Veterinary Forensic Sciences Conference of the International Veterinary Forensic Science Association, May 13-15, Orlando, Florida.

Cooper, J. and M. E. Cooper. 2007. Introduction to Veterinary and Comparative Forensic Medicine. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Desousa, D. 2016. NIBRS User Manual for Animal Control Officers and Humane Law Enforcement. National Council on Violence Against Animals. Animal Welfare Institute. 31p.

Green, C. E. 2011. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. St. Louis: MI: Elsevier Saunders, 1376p. International Veterinary Forensic Science Association (IVFSA). 2018. www.ivfsa.org.

References

Lockwood, R. and P. Arkow. 2016. Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence: The cruelty connection and its implications for veterinary pathology. Vet Pathol. 53(5):910-918.

McEwen, B., S. P. McDonough. 2016. Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and forensic practice.

Forensic Sci Med Pathol. Letter to the Editor. Published online, September 12.

McEwen, B. 2017. Personal Interview. September 7.

McMillan, F. D., Duffy, D. L., and J. A. Serpell. 2011. Mental health of dogs formerly used as “breeding stock” in commercial breeding establishments. Applied Animal Behavior Sci. 135:86-94.

Merck, M. 2017. Personal Interview. September 5.

Touroo, R. 2015. VME 6575-Veterinary Forensic Medicine. Spring Semester, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Vetfolio Program NAVC/AAHA. Graduate Certificate Program, http://www.vetfolio.com/

Wobeser, G. 1996. Forensic (medicolegal) necropsy of wildlife. J Wlldl Dis. 32(2):240-249.