Assessment of Bft Victims

Clinical veterinary forensic medicine applies the science to the clinical patient. Given the science and information above concerning BFT and the injuries it may cause to animals, the following aspects should be considered when assessing an animal suspected of having suffered such an incident:

1. Physical examination: As described in Chapter 1, the animal should receive a full physical examination with documentation of both normal and abnormal findings. Injuries should be examined closely for trace evidence, particularly the depths of lacerations and the area beneath the nails/claws.

2. Blood work: Consideration should be given to evaluating a complete blood cell count and serum chemistry. In animals showing contusions, a full clotting profile, including an activated partial thromboplastin time, should be considered. Other blood work tests necessary to eliminate or confirm other rule-outs should be completed, as well. It may be appropriate, with some lesions, to biopsy the area, including the juncture between the normal and abnormal areas.
3. Radiographs: Full-body radiographs should be considered for both live and deceased animals. Full-body radiographs may detect injuries not visually detectable and may aid in establishing a pattern of injury. Advanced imaging such as MRI, CT, ultrasonography, and scintigraphy can be utilized in select cases.
4. Documentation of the injuries: Documentation of all injuries is critical. The external injuries should be located and described in relation to distinctive anatomical landmarks (preferably two landmarks per injury). The injuries should be described as to type (abrasion, contusion, laceration, fracture), size (length, width, depth), shape (regular, irregular, indistinct, patterned), color, and any associated findings (edema, foreign bodies, debris, etc.). Descriptions of fractures should include whether they are open or closed, greenstick or complete, degree of comminution, location, and whether articular surfaces are included along with the amount of displacement. Evidence of healing, secondary infections/injuries, and related findings should also be documented. Any evidence of internal injuries should be noted. Results of all ancillary tests should be documented as well.
5. Photography: The entire animal, including all injuries, should be photographed. The photographs should include overall, mid-range, and close-up views of the animal and each injury.
6. Réévaluations: As some recent lesions, such as bruises, may develop over time, the animal and its injuries should be reevaluated and photographed as appropriate for the case.
7. Deceased animal: Deceased animals should be documented and photographed in situ and then submitted for a forensic necropsy and appropriate diagnostic testing.

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