Shelters are the primary agencies that encounter animal cruelty. Shelter veterinarians are the professionals most likely to be asked to render expert opinions regarding suspected cruelty cases, and their involvement is critical to a successful outcome. The veterinarian and shelter staff are often the first ones to recognize signs of abuse on intake examinations, and the investigations are usually conducted by officers of the shelter or local law enforcement, depending on the jurisdiction.

The role of the veterinarian is critical with cruelty investigations, and includes documentation of physical findings of abuse, collection of evidence, provision of treatment, working with the prosecutor on case strategy, and eventually testifying in court. They have an additional role at the crime scene. All crime scene findings must be interpreted in the context of the behavior of the victim. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians/assistants are far more qualified to examine animal victims than investigators of human victims to interpret crime scenes. The veterinary professional should be at the scene or otherwise assist investigators with their crime scene analysis. The core issue for animal cruelty investigations is training and education. The historical lack of investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty cases is primarily due to lack of recognition, lack of knowledge of investigation procedures, and lack of knowledge of available professional resources and expertise.

We will provide training for veterinary students, shelter medicine residents, shelter veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and animal cruelty investigators with a series of intensive workshops and an elective course for veterinary students. We will take advantage of unique regional resources that provide expertise in animal forensic investigations, including the University of Florida’s Maples Center for Forensic Medicine and Dr. Melinda Merck’s veterinary forensic consultation service.

Effective crime-scene investigation of animal victims is hindered by the lack of veterinary-specific scientific data to assist in the interpretation of evidence. In addition to providing training programs for forensic investigations, we will engage in research to enhance the science of animal cruelty investigations.