Veterinary Forensics Flashcards
ON MIDTERM
What are the SIMILARITIES between a forensic veterinarian and a human medical examiner?
THEY BOTH…
-Ability to convey what has happened based on science and fact to assist the judge/jury in understanding the evidence
-Determine COD, SEQUENCE OF INJURIES, ANTI-MORTEUM VS POSTMORTEUM INJURIES
-ACCIDENTAL VS NON ACCIDENTAL INJURIES
-Determine if death was humane or not
-Interact with other forensic professions
(toxicology, pathology, radiology)
-Conduct post mortum examinations
-Maintain a chain of custody
-They both have to ask permission from either before touching evidence whether that be an animal or a human body!
-Provide expert testimony
-Will determine cause of death (can be undetermined!)
-Same photography protocols
-External examination
-Radiography may be taken before necropsy/autopsy
-Toxicology may be performed
-Swabbing of the mouth/genitals will be performed for sexual assault cases
-Hands will be preserved in suspected sexual assault cases
-Manner of death may be considered undetermined (not enough underlying evidence to determine cause, body is too decomposed!)
-Manner of death may be ruled as accidental or non-accidental
ON MIDTERM
What are the DIFFERENCES between a forensic veterinarian and a human medical examiner?
Veterinarian:
-deals with many species of animals
-conducts necropsies
-the veterinarian owns the body (animal)
-familiar with animal behavior can help direct search (what would an animal normally do?)
-we don’t have the option of a cast off pattern!
-bruising: animals have a much thicker layer of fur/feathers which masks bruising
-paws will be preserved in separate bags in suspected SA cases!
Human Medical Examiner:
-deals with one species (humans)
-conducts autopsies
-they own the body (human)
-cast off patterns can be consistent
with the # of blows
-bruising can be more easily identified
-hands will be preserved in separate bags in suspected SA cases!
-5 categories of Manner of Death
What are examples of when a Forensic Necropsy may be conducted?
Will be conducted if you believe you’re dealing with a criminal case…
-Burns
-Asphyxia (strangulation)
-Animal sexual abuse
-Poisonings
ON MIDTERM
Expert Witness Information…
-Important to document the physical condition of ALL animals (post-mortem and anti-mortem)
-MUST comment on standards of care that COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN to prevent disease, injury or death
-Distinguish between death and injury from a human (intentional injury) vs non human causes (accidental injury)
-Evaluate whether the death/killing was humane OR NOT!
-ID and preserve physical evidence that may link the INJURIES to a particular suspect!
Triage Color Coding is often used in…
- Animal fighting cases
- Puppy mills (5 waves as well)
- Hoarding
- Any case where you are knee deep in animals
Triage Color Coding…
RED CODED:
-need immediate medical attention
-will die on the spot if not treated ASAP
YELLOW CODED:
-may be wounded, emaciated, but won’t die if they aren’t treated ASAP
-will be patched up and sent off for treatment
GREEN CODED:
-bright and responsive
-may have minor issues: scratches, fleas, maggots, etc.
Proximate Cause of Death…
-The sequence of events that is considered to be the CAUSE of injuries
Example: beating an animal on its head with a baseball bat for a number of days
Immediate Cause of Death…
-The condition which caused the individual to die at that time
Example: fatal gunshot wound
Manner of Death
Based on the circumstance of how the injury/disease occurred
