VTMED 6752 - Veterinary Forensic Medicine and Pathology

Spring. 1 credit. Letter grades only.

Permission of instructor required.

L. DeTar, S. McDonough.

The public care deeply about animal welfare and demand that perpetrators of animal cruelty be held accountable, even though the definition of cruelty varies from state to state. Veterinarians are uniquely qualified to recognize potential animal cruelty and are required to report suspected cruelty in the state of NY. Animal cruelty is but one facet of interpersonal violence. Although forensic medicine and pathology rely on the same basic principles and methods used for conventional veterinary medical investigations, the analytical framework and purpose differ significantly. If the investigation does not meet the needs of the court, the effort is wasted. Through lectures from the pathology and shelter medicine teams as well as ASPCA forensic department guests, this course provides students with the theoretical framework and practical information needed to conduct animal cruelty investigations for live and deceased animals.