Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations [Paperback]

Melinda D. Merck (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0813815010 | ISBN-13: 978-0813815015 | Edition: 1

Animal cruelty is gaining attention worldwide. With the rise of mandatory reporting requirements for veterinarians and prosecution of animal cruelty, veterinarians and pathologists need the resources to properly assist in these cases.

Veterinary Forensics is a practical reference for veterinarians, pathologists and investigators. Written by a leading expert in veterinary forensics, it provides the background and resources needed to work with animal abuse cases. The book offers detailed and clear direction on crime scene investigation, forensic testing and forensic pathology findings, as well as guidance on handling evidence and conducting evaluations that will hold up in court.

Primarily focused on dogs and cats, the principles and techniques in this book can be applied easily to other species as well. Photographs highlight pertinent forensic findings in animals, and extensive appendices include forms for examination, report writing, entomology collection, body condition scoring, forensic kits, forensic specialists and labs, and web resources.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Covers [a] wide-ranging field, drawing together information that will provie useful to professionals from varied specialties - animal welfare officials, shelter staff, clinical veterinarians, veteirnary pathologists, and forensics experts.  After reading this forensics text, I find myself fascinated...." - Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 

"This is a book that should be in every clinic.  I am sure that most... readers will have had an animal presented where abuse was suspected.  This book will be very useful in those cases."  - Veterinary Information Network

"From crime scene investigation and forensic testing to compiling evidence that will hold up in court, Veterinary Forensics offers a resource essential for animal cruelty investigators." - Midwest Book Review

“Dr. Melinda Merck is well-qualified to produce such a text. The author has included 27 appendices with useful examples of various logs, worksheets, and record and report forms. The book also includes a detailed index. Veterinary Forensics fulfills its intended purpose to serve as a practical reference and resource guide.” - JAALAS

“Help[s] fill the void in the forensic veterinary medical literature. Nobody could argue with Dr. Merck's enthusiasm and zeal to make us aware of an important topic that we would prefer to ignore, but should not." - Veterinary Pathology

Book Description

Animal cruelty has been closely linked to domestic violence, and this has led to growing calls from the medical and legal communities for mandatory reporting of animal abuse. However, very few veterinarians and pathologists have been formally trained on the medical and legal aspects of animal cruelty cases. Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations fills this gap, providing a thorough and straightforward resource on recognizing abuse, reporting abuse to proper authorities and conducting medical evaluations that will hold up in court. This book offers detailed and clear direction on recognition and interpretations of patterns of non-accidental injury, crime scene investigation, estimation of time of death, gross and microscopic pathology associated with abuse and neglect, chain of custody procedures, and providing expert testimony. This reference manual gives veterinarians, pathologists, and investigators the knowledge they need to understand the stages of animal cruelty investigations and to perform the necessary forensic examinations of animals.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813815010
• ISBN-13: 978-0813815015
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All are top picks college-level veterinary school collections - and practicing vets - will find loaded, September 2, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations (Paperback)

Melinda D. Merck, DVM's VETERINARY FORENSICS: ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS offers up a practical desk reference for vets, pathologists and investigators, integrating the resources needed to work on and investigate animal abuse cases. From crime scene investigation and forensic testing to compiling evidence that will hold up in court, VETERINARY FORENSICS offers a resource essential for animal cruelty investigators. All are top picks college-level veterinary school collections - and practicing vets - will find loaded with real-world applications and techniques.