This is a forensic lecture note for students in doctor of veterinary medicine at Jinka university, Ethiopia.

1. VeterinaryEthicsandJurisprudence
(vetm-5162)
By Dr. Asrat.S
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2. Chapter 8-Forensic Veterinary Medicine
Forensic Veterinary Medicine
Explaining the Cause and Manner of Death
Identification of Gun Shoots
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3. INTRODUCTION
“Forensic veterinary medicine”: can be defined as “the applied use of veterinary
medical knowledge to the purpose of the law.”
It is the application of veterinary medicine and forensic science techniques to the
investigation and documentation of animal abuse and neglect as well as civil
matters involving animals.
In recent years, there has been an increase in many parts of the world in lawsuits
concerning animals and their products.
Factors that have contributed to this include:
a growing tendency for owners of animals to resort to litigation,
the escalating financial value of many animals,
the global trade (some of it illegal) in wild species and
greater public concern over conservation and environmental issues. 3

4. The veterinarian of the 21st century cannot afford to be complacent.
Whether interested in legal cases or not, she/he is likely to become involved – and
certainly must be prepared for that eventuality.
This requires familiarity with the demands of forensic work, in particular the
detailed investigations and meticulous record-keeping that are its essential features.
Such skills will also prove of value to the veterinarian when dealing with such
matters as contested insurance claims and disciplinary proceedings.
 Although forensic medicine offers exciting challenges, it is, as yet, not a true
“bona fide” discipline within the veterinary undergraduate curriculum in most
parts of the world.
 Few opportunities for specialized post-graduate training in the subject are
available.
 This means that veterinarians generally have to rely largely on experience or
advice from others, rather than receiving specific teaching. 4

5.  The lack of training opportunities, coupled with relative paucity of literature and baseline data,
can hamper the ability of veterinarians to contribute their skills and knowledge to the necessary
standard.
 Forensic veterinary medicine is of increasing importance. Legal and other cases in which a
veterinary input is likely to be required include those relating to unexpected death of animals,
welfare, abuse, and breaches of conservation law. The principles of investigation closely follow
those used in human forensic medicine, but there are some important differences.
Veterinarians are required to provide expert evidence for litigation on cases where animals are
associated with crime
Dog-bites, cases of poisoning, assaults on animals including bestiality, investigation of causes
and time of death (based on post mortem changes) and homicides associated with animals
including cattle-rustling and ordinary thefts: all would be better resolved by a veterinarian well-
skilled in forensic sciences
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6. In addition, there are increasing numbers of cases of wildlife-associated human
deaths or crop destruction issues that can only be satisfactorily resolved with a
forensic approach.
Also, some human crimes could be solved using animal-associated information
gathered at the scene of crime which the specially-trained veterinarian would
readily provide.
However, there is no local training facility offering forensic veterinary sciences
nor are there any supporting diagnostic services that are specifically geared to
veterinary forensic sciences.
In this regard, giving a course in integrated veterinary forensic sciences
(incorporating environmental and agricultural issues) would be timely as would
the setting-up of a well-equipped forensics laboratory. Both are long overdue in
Kenya.
 The importance of greater veterinary involvement in forensic work was first
strongly emphasized in the UK in papers directed primarily at members of the
profession (Chapman, 1986; Cooper and Cooper, 1991). 6

7. Soon after, the UK’s Forensic Science Service (now, alas, disbanded) established
a unit devoted to analyzing animal DNA and at about the same time, numerous
small laboratories, in the UK and elsewhere, began to develop and advertise an
“animal forensics” capability.
Interest among veterinary schools is growing: recently, the University of Surrey
launched a dedicated veterinary forensic pathology and science service.
There are three main ways in which animals are involved in litigation:
1. As the cause of an incident – animals of different species, singly or in groups,
can cause injuries, death and financial loss to human
2. As the victim – if they are killed, injured, poached, exported illegally or treated
inhumanely
3. In providing information that is relevant to an incident – for example,
because an animal was present when a crime was committed 7

8. In circumstances where the animal is the victim (the most usual reason for a
veterinary involvement), legal cases generally fall into four categories:
A. The animal has died under unusual, unexpected or suspicious circumstances and
is investigated with a view to determining the circumstances – that is, the cause,
mechanism and manner – of death (is it gun shoot?? Or poisoning???)
B. The animal is alive but exhibits unusual, unexpected or suspicious clinical signs
or is injured or incapacitated under unusual or suspicious circumstances
C. The animal’s welfare apparently is, or has been, compromised. In these cases
there is a need to determine whether an animal is being (or has been) subjected to
unnecessary pain, suffering, discomfort or distress
D. A non-domesticated animal appears to have been taken, killed or kept in captivity
unlawfully – a form of “wildlife crime” 8

9. Dealing with a forensic case
 Given that acquittal or conviction is dependent upon the nature and reliability of the
evidence, the quality of the evidence in an animal-related crime investigation must be
beyond criticism
A number of references are available on
 animal abuse and crimes against animals
 crime scene investigation
 various types of forensic examinations of the animal
 the judicial system and testimony in a court of law
 the forensic clinical examination and forensic necropsy of small and large animal
species,
 forensic radiology, forensic toxicology, bite mark analysis and animal behavior.
 Various, relevant forensic disciplines such as bloodstain pattern analysis, DNA
analysis, animal sexual abuse, animal hoarding, ritual crimes against animals, and
animal fighting 9

10. Dealing with a forensic case cont…
 Veterinary forensic works to collect and analyze evidence that law enforcement may
use to settle convictions. To shine a light on this important work, the critical role
veterinary forensic science plays in obtaining justice for victims of animal cruelty.
 Forensic Veterinarian’s job is to identify, collect and assess evidence from animals and
their environment.
 Veterinary medical knowledge to put together the pieces of a mystery to try to answer
the questions asked by law enforcement and the courts in an unbiased and objective
manner.
 This is to clearly convey the evidence based on science and fact,
 To assist the judge and/or jury in understanding the evidence at hand,
 act as an advocate for the truth. 10

11. Dealing with a forensic case cont…
 Veterinary Forensics: Investigation, Evidence Collection, and Expert testimony
provide anyone involved in an investigation of an animal involved crime or civil
action with the knowledge and tools that can give guidance for their actions in
completing a forensic investigation
 Law enforcement agents, veterinarians, the judiciary, attorneys and forensic
scientists may be involved in cases of animal cruelty, neglect or human crimes
that may have an animal element.
 It is important to note that, whatever the context, forensic veterinary work differs
in many ways from routine diagnosis and treatment and requires in particular a
combination of in-depth investigation, strict adherence to protocols and standard
procedures and a degree of lateral thinking
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12. Explaining the Cause and Manner of Death and other cases
Explaining the cause and manner of death of animal and other criminal cases can
involve a variety of techniques:
Examination and assessment of the alleged crime and the interviewing of people
who are, or are believed to be, involved in the incident or may have relevant
information
Examination of live animals/ (animal autopsy)
Examination of dead animals/Post mortem Examination/
Examination of the environment
Collection and identification of specimens, including derivatives and samples, for
laboratory testing
Correct storage and dispatch of specimens for laboratory testing and presentation
of evidence
Laboratory tests 12

13. Production of report(s) and Appearance in court
Retention of reference material for further court proceedings or for reference
The provision of forensic evidence must be scientific and objective in the
recognition that, ultimately, it is likely to be presented in a report and, if in court,
must be in accordance with the rules of procedure of that court.
The Veterinarian as Crime Scene Investigator
Forensics is the scientific presentation of evidence to:
Establish that a crime occurred
Determine a crime’s timeline
Assess elements of a crime
Provide perspective regarding the nature of a crime
Confirm or contradict events related or circumstantial to a crime.
As a science, forensics does not determine guilt or innocence, right or wrong.
Instead, evidence is used to provide an explanation and account for the events that
occurred in relation to a crime. 13

14. Therefore, law enforcement and prosecutors will often ask veterinarians to
assist in criminal investigations involving animals. This assistance includes:
Providing expertise in clinical medicine, pathology, and surgery
Ensuring collection of all possible biological and physical evidence
Evaluating the significance of evidence to assist in successful prosecution.
In a forensic criminal or civil investigation, evidence is any item that may,
by scientific analysis or its presence at the crime scene, provide:
Verification a crime has been committed
Illumination regarding the elements of a crime
Confirmation of the nature, time sequence, and events of a crime
Identification of individuals present at the scene.
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15. Approach to the crime scene
There are several methods of investigating a crime scene; however, any thorough,
systematic, coordinated review of the crime scene is acceptable as long as no
evidence is overlooked or remains undocumented.
The initial scene should be approached with a thorough understanding of the:
Suspected crime
Number and approximate location of victims
Circumstances surrounding the crime
Law enforcement findings
Information from witnesses and first responders.
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16. Crime Scene Overview
In general, crime scenes should be initially evaluated from a wide-angle view, as an
entire scene (often defined by crime scene tape or cones).
Photography/videography should begin on arrival and encompass all pertinent angles of
the scene.
Be aware of lines of ingress (entrance) and egress (flight) of all potential victims or
perpetrators; these areas should be evaluated and photographed from the wide-angle
perspective, especially if the scene is an outside venue.
Protection and documentation of fragile or perishable evidence should be the first
priority.
Critical point
Before entering the crime scene proper, avoid investigator cross contamination by
putting new disposable booties and gloves on over shoes and hands. In areas with
potential for biohazards (ie, chemicals, toxins, human blood-borne or animal diseases),
such as hoarding scenes, use of a coverall suit, boots, gloves, and even an approved
biohazard respirator is recommended. 16

17. Inside the Scene
Once inside the scene:
Look again for lines of ingress or egress, including doors, windows, and other
visible portals.
It is important to note and photograph if any of these routes are open/closed,
locked/unlocked, forced/broken, or tampered with in any way.
Examination should extend to the floor, ceiling, furniture, and walls for signs of
violent damage, weapon marks (including projectiles), ridge impressions (nose
prints, paw prints, or fingerprints), blood drops or splatter, and any other signs of
evidentiary importance.
Legal considerations
 When working within the criminal justice system, veterinarians have the same
accountability that applies to forensic investigators, criminalists, and law
enforcement officers regarding search and seizure and evidence collection.
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18. Evidence Gathering
Animal bodies should initially be examined in place.
Bodies should be photographed from all sides and above before moving them for
necropsy examination.
Any insect evidence (see Entomology) should be collected from the body and
placed in a sterile vial or envelope.
Once examined and photographed the body should be placed or wrapped in a
clean white pillow case or sheet.
Paws should have evidence bags placed over them to retain any evidence attached
to, or trapped in, the interdigital areas.
Physical surfaces, such as walls, floors, ceilings, or other indoor areas, related to
the crime or criminal activity are photographed and sketched for completeness.
Some surfaces must be dismantled for further evaluation in the laboratory setting.
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19. Trace evidence may be retrieved by using plastic thumb forceps, lint roller paper, or specialized
evidence vacuums.
Each single piece of particulate matter should be folded in paper (druggists wrap); then placed
in a manila envelope, which is sealed to ensure stored location and security.
DNA material is often essential in criminal cases. There are many acceptable methods of
collection; however, use of commercially prepared forensic DNA collection equipment is
preferred because it eliminates many possible defense objections to cross contamination,
improper collection, handling, or storage.
Investigative Sciences
 Toxicology is often an important part of the forensic investigation. Involvement of a poison or
toxin may be determined through:
Clinical/forensic examination of the animal
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20. Witness or owner statements about the events surrounding time of sickness or
death
Suspicion based on the nature of the evidence found at the crime scene or a
second location.
Entomology is becoming an important aspect of forensic investigations.
Often insect larva, pupae, and other intermediate stages (maggots) can help
determine time or location of death.
Forensic entomologists analyze the significance of insect evidence with respect to
the crime and crime scene.
Collection of Evidence
The veterinarian’s investigation process includes:
Photographs
Videography
Crime scene notes
Sketches 20

21. Evidence Handling
 Evidence is defined as something that furnishes proof or something legally
submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter.
 Failure to collect, package, document, and store evidence in a proper forensic
manner may create reasonable doubt during criminal proceedings and result in an
acquittal.
 In general, when called to a crime scene, a veterinarian will have support and
guidance from federal, state, municipal, or humane police regarding evidence
seizure and collection. If in doubt at a crime scene, ask for guidance from a senior
law enforcement official, criminalist, or prosecution.
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