Module 1.3

Question 1

What are the three roles in every veterinary forensics case?

Answer 1

1. Vets & team
2. Law enforcement/Investigators
3. Attorneys (prosecutors and defense attorneys)

Question 2

If there are any missing/lacking roles in a case, what happens?

Answer 2

The case may fall through

Question 3

What is the vet’s role in a case?

Answer 3

ID signs consistent or not consistent with abuse, without bias
Document medical findings in record
Collect evidence during history/physical exam
Make statement/testify
Diagnose, but do NOT determine abuse has occurred

Question 4

What is law enforcement’s role in a case?

Answer 4

Varies depending on training and agency
Investigate and make arrests (animal control is NOT law enforcement)

Question 5

Exigent Circumstances

Answer 5

Allows officers to make warrantless entry when there are reasonable grounds to believe animals are in need of immediate care

Question 6

What is the attorney’s role in a case?

Answer 6

Prosecute or defend abuse suspects
Vets can be on either side of case
Most cases do not end in court

Question 7

Scene investigation

Answer 7

Veterinarians triage, ID evidence and explain the affect of this on animals
Law enforcement secures the scene and animal control officers collect evidence
Prosecutors are on scene if human crime is also occurring, but usually get the case after scene investigation

Question 8

Animal vs. Human crime scenes

Answer 8

Animal crimes have multiple victims, whereas human crimes usually have 1 or few
There are fewer personnel with animal crimes
Animal crimes involve 1+ species
Animal crimes are processed through veterinary labs, not human labs
Animal crimes are more likely to involve nonprofit groups