When veterinarians become crime scene investigators

Just as police and forensic pathologists investigate crimes involving human perpetrators and victims, veterinary pathologists are sometimes called upon to determine whether - and how, and by whom - animals were abused or killed by humans. They also investigate injuries or deaths caused by animals. U. of I. veterinary diagnostic laboratory Adam Stern, who has investigated numerous animal-related crimes, spoke with News Bureau life sciences editor Diana Yates about the challenges of the work. What kinds of animal-related cases are most commonly investigated? The most common are cases of neglect (failure to provide food, water, shelter or medical care) and cases of nonaccidental injury - the deliberate physical abuse of an animal, resulting in bodily injury. Gunshot injuries, thermal injuries (in the case of burns or animals set on fire), intentional poisonings and sharp-force trauma (knife injuries) also are investigated. There is a strong link between animal abuse and other forms of family violence. During animal cruelty investigations, it would not be unexpected to find other forms of violence including child abuse, elder abuse or domestic violence.