Professional training in veterinary forensic sciences accessible within the curricula of 30 veterinary medical colleges in the United States

A study of the curriculum offered by veterinary colleges in the United States was performed on the topic of veterinary forensic science, the field of science utilizing the expertise of a veterinarian to gather and interpret evidence associated with animal crime (i.e. animal abuse and/or neglect). In this study, data was collected from 30 United States veterinary colleges in regard to curriculum accessible to veterinary students, specific to the field of veterinary forensic science. Each school provided any mention and characterization of the topic available to students throughout the four years of veterinary education, including lectures in core courses, lectures worked into elective courses, and/or separate elective courses. Completion of this study revealed the inconsistencies of training in veterinary forensic science found at the colleges surveyed. There are no current standards on this topic required for the education of veterinary professionals. Based on this study, 13 colleges (43.3%) provide some mention of the topic in their course work and seven colleges (23.3%) provide a specific elective course, while 10 colleges (33.3%) offer no training at all in veterinary forensic science. With mandated reporting in 18 of the 50 states, new graduates are expected to be competent at recognizing and reporting suspected cases of animal abuse/neglect; however, many veterinarians have never even been exposed to the topic of veterinary forensics during their education.

Manual Strangulation of a stray cat

Veterinary forensic pathology plays a crucial role in animal death investigations. Recent years have seen increased attention given to this field in Taiwan. Here we report a grave crime that aroused public indignation in Taiwan, when in December 2015, a missing free-roaming cat was allegedly strangled by a suspect, according to witnesses. Surveillance video footage of the cruel incident surfaced that showed the cat, without visible signs of struggle, strangled by both hands of the suspect and kicked in the abdomen’s left side. The body was stored in a travel bag when found in the suspect’s motorcycle trunk three days after the cat had been missing. The radiographs revealed a suspected luxation of cervical vertebrae 6 and 7 (C6–C7). At forensic necropsy and histopathology, neck compression with subcutaneous hemorrhage at the left submandibular area, bruising of the neck, tears in the wall of the left external jugular vein, and pulmonary lesions were identified, all consistent with asphyxiation. Hemorrhages of the epidural space of the C7 vertebra, the spinal nerve at the level of C7, and surrounding soft tissues were noted. The pathological findings were in line with the suspect’s confession, the witnesses’ statements, and the video footage. The process and outcome of this case reflected society’s growing awareness of animal welfare and the increased attention that the authorities are giving crimes against animals in Taiwan, and the link between pathologic findings and the crime.

Mortality among free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) during 2010–2014 with determination of last meal and toxicant exposure

Over the past 30 years, the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) population has rebounded from 22 individuals to over 200 birds living in the wild. Historical impacts to the population have been largely anthropogenic. In this study, we explore mortality and cause of death data from condors that died during the years 2010-2014 and compare these to mortality data described by Rideout et al. in 2012, covering the years 1992-2009. In addition, morphologic and genetic analysis of the contents of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract was performed on the 2010-2014 condor mortalities to determine animal origins of the last meal eaten. The maximum population at risk within this time frame was 329 birds. During this time, 88 condors died and underwent post-mortem examination, and 41 birds were lost to tracking efforts and presumed dead (crude mortality rate of 39%; 129/329). A cause of death was determined for 66 of the 88 necropsied birds. Lead toxicosis remained a significant negative factor in condor population recovery, being related to the deaths of 37 adult and juvenile condors (proportional mortality rate 56%). Compared to condors succumbing to other causes of death, cattle were less often part of the last meal of lead-intoxicated condors. Based on these data, continued efforts to mitigate the impact of lead on California condors should be pursued.

Examining the effects of bodygrip 330 traps on domestic cat (Felis catus) cadavers

Bodygrip traps (also called Conibear traps) are nontoothed kill traps used for furbearers and nuisance wildlife. These traps pose a danger to nontarget animals, such as protected wildlife, domestic animals, and people, more so when used on dry land. Because of the potential for intentional or accidental misuse, diagnosis of bodygrip trap injuries may be of consideration in forensic casework. To determine whether trap-related injuries can be identified to narrow down or confirm the cause of death, standard 330 and Magnum 330 bodygrip traps were used on cadavers of 9 domestic cats (F. catus). Trap jaws were engaged in various locations on the bodies to simulate potential live entrapment situations. The cadavers were then imaged and necropsied. Trap-related damage was present only in one (1/9) cat and consisted of liver fractures, likely augmented by the presence of a full stomach. The remaining cats (8/9) had no grossly or radiographically visible injuries. Findings are consistent with past live animal studies in which trap-related injury was only rarely observed or documented. Because no specific injuries can be attributed to bodygrip traps, the diagnosis must rely on the circumstance and rule out other likely causes of death.

Book review: Forensic Taphonomy and Ecology of North American Scavengers

BY Susan N Sincerbox and Elizabeth A DiGangi. Academic Press, 2017. Paperback ISBN: 9780128132432; eBook ISBN: 9780128132630. DOI: 10.1016/C2016-0-04706-X. 232 pages. US$49.95. REVIEW BY Tabitha Viner, DVM DACVP; National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ashland, Oregon.

Forensic veterinary medicine in Chile

Forensic or legal medicine is a historic discipline formed to assist police and legal authorities in providing expert analysis in the fact-finding and adjudication process. It is traditionally concerned with the investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths (Dettmeyer et al. 2013, Madea 2014). It is a multifaceted field that involves several investigative skills, from evidence collection and observation to interpretation and determination. As a scientific discipline in constant evolution, it has seen incredible developments over time that have considerably improved forensic medicine, allowing better collaboration and validation of expert testimony (Madea 2014).

The growth of veterinary forensics

Veterinary forensics is a rapidly growing field, and it is recognized that there is a connection between animal abuse and other types of interpersonal violence (Lockwood and Arkow 2016). While all states have misdemeanor and felony statues for animal abuse, unfortunately, not all cases of animal abuse are reported to the authorities or investigated for a multitude of reasons. Some of these reasons include the lack of mandatory reporting laws in all states, an inability to perform a forensic postmortem examination in all suspicious death cases, lack of training on the identification and documentation of suspected animal abuse, and financial constraints. While it is possible to mitigate some limitations on the local level in some communities, much improvement is needed on the state and national scale.

Intracranial stab wound in a dog

Sharp force wounds are not an uncommon cause of death in animal abuse cases. The reported case is of an adult dog that was stabbed in the head and had evidence of blunt force trauma. The stab wound was small and circular. The findings strongly support the use of an ice pick to cause the injury and support the need to be aware of unusual causes of sharp force trauma.

Evaluation of actin and desmin expression by immunohistochemistry to determine the time since death in dogs

The estimation of the time since death can be of vital importance in a forensic investigation. Several different methods are available to the forensic investigator for estimation of time since death, including temperature- and molecular-based methods, and entomology. The use of immunohistochemical (IHC) methods has rarely been studied for estimation of time since death. To determine whether IHC staining can be used for estimation of time since death in dogs, we selected skeletal muscle as it is abundantly available and slower to decay compared to other tissues. Euthanized dogs (Canis familiaris) were allowed to decompose for up to 30 days in a walk-in refrigeration unit. Thigh muscle tissue was collected from a single dog on postmortem days 0, 2, 4, 6,…, 28, 30. Tissues were formalin-fixed and IHC-stained for muscle-specific actin and desmin. IHC staining was evaluated using the immunoreactive score (IRS) system. Skeletal muscle from all dogs stained positive for the duration of this study. Desmin staining was negative at days 10 and 26. The results show that immunohistochemistry can be performed on dog skeletal muscle for at least 30 days postmortem and support the further investigation of the use of immunohistochemistry for muscle markers to investigate the time since death for periods longer than 30 days.

The detection of pentobarbital in euthanized domestic dogs

This preliminary study examined the postmortem distribution of pentobarbital in the remains of three domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) after intravenous administration of pentobarbital sodium to determine optimal sampling practices for veterinary forensic casework. It was thought that pentobarbital would be absent in many traditional toxicological samples, such as bile and urine, because of the brief period between administration and death. However, all samples tested via gas chromatography, coupled with a nitrogen–phosphorus detector, contained quantifiable levels of pentobarbital. These initial results suggest that when the Florida Animal Control Association’s recommended method of euthanasia is used in healthy individuals, pentobarbital extensively distributes throughout the body.