Animal CSI

We’ve all seen about a zillion commercials for some type of CSI TV show, but would you believe there is a woman who is an animal CSI? It’s true! Today my post is going to be all about her work, what she does, and the impact it will have on the future of veterinary forensics.

There is a woman by the name of Melinda Merck - she is the only animal CSI specialist in the entire country. She travels across the country helping law enforcement gather evidence and build cases against animal cruelty. Melinda investigates about 2 cases per month and the crimes range anywhere from animal cruelty to puppy mills to dog fighting.

She was asked by Federal agents to participate in the Michael Vick case - she exhumed 12 animal bodies and examined their remains. Since the case against him is pending, no futher information can be released about her findings.

Animal abuse cases are incredibly hard to prosecute and investigate. The witnesses are silent, they cannot communicate with us what happened, so Melinda searches for the hard evidence to convince a jury of a suspect’s guilt. This is not easy by any means but she has been very successful. Of the 25 cases last year in which charges were filed based on her findings, all of them were either won at trial or the suspect plead guilty.

The field of veterinary forensics is slowly emerging and it is something that is deparetly needed - police and law enforcement have little to no knowledge of animal physiology or behavior.

Check out the video below - this van is the ASPCA’s mobile animal CSI Unit:

She uses things seen in episodes of CSI - blood spatter, examining bones, even collecting DNA samples to investigate what happened and evaluate the crime. After scouring the area for evidence, she works closely with the prosecutors and investigators to get the case ready for a trial.

Veterinary colleges across the country are starting to embrace the idea and are offering forensic classes to its students. The ASPCA plans to break ground this year on an anti-cruelty institute in New York which will provide training for veterinarians and law enforcement - it is scheduled to open in 2010.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic…..I am surprised it has taken this long for veterinary forensics to be recognized. It seems like this is something our country has been in need of for a long time now.

Thanks for reading! As always your participation in comments and discussions are encouraged and greatly appreciated!!