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Senior Director of Veterinary Forensic Sciences
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Dr. Merck assists investigators of animal cruelty with crime scene investigation as well as the examination of live and deceased victims. She frequently testifies as a forensic veterinary expert for animal cruelty cases around the country, including cases involving animal hoarding, dog fighting and animal torture. She recently was the veterinary forensics expert on the Michael Vick dog fighting case. In addition, she continues to be a veterinary forensics consultant for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, Georgia, and also conducts veterinary forensic examinations for Gwinnett County Animal Welfare Services. Dr. Merck frequently provides training for veterinary and law enforcement professionals nationwide on the use of veterinary medical knowledge in the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty cases. Dr. Merck lives in Gainesville, Florida with an assortment of dogs and cats, many rescued from cruelty cases.
Education:
- DVM, Michigan State University, 1988
- AS, Veterinary Science, Michigan State University, 1984
Awards:
- ASPCA, Grand Prize Winner of the Pet Protector Award, 2003
- Spay Georgia, Veterinary Clinic of the Year, 2003
- Cherokee County Humane Society, Golden Paw Award, 2002
- Good Mews Animal Foundation, Service Recognition Award, 1997
Selected Publications:
Merck MD. Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations, Blackwell Publishing:Ames, 2007.
Sinclair L, Merck M, Lockwood R. Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty: A Guide for Veterinary and Law Enforcement Professionals, Humane Society Press:Washington DC, 2006.
Merck MD. Veterinary Forensic Investigation: How to Prosecute Animal Cruelty from Start to Finish, Georgia Legal Professionals for Animals, 2003.
Merck MD. Reliable Indicators of Animal Abuse, NAVC Clinician’s Brief, January, 2004.
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