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The Veterinary Forensic Necropsy: A Review of Procedures and Protocols
H W Brooks Brownlie1, R Munro2
1School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, United Kingdom harriet@bridgepathology.com.
Veterinary Pathology
|July 3, 2016
Summary
This guide provides essential procedures for conducting forensic necropsies in animals. It aims to standardize veterinary forensic pathology services and increase pathologist confidence in handling animal-related crime cases.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Forensic Science
- Animal Forensics
Background:
- Increasing animal-related crime necessitates veterinary involvement in forensic investigations.
- Many veterinary pathologists lack experience and confidence in performing forensic necropsies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide procedural guidance for forensic necropsies in animals.
- To assist in the standardization of veterinary forensic pathology services.
- To enhance the confidence of veterinary pathologists in forensic case handling.
Main Methods:
- General advice on necropsy procedures, documentation, and recording.
- Discussion of evidence management, including recordkeeping and labeling.
- Inclusion of wound assessment, taphonomy, and sample collection techniques.
Main Results:
- Outlines differences between forensic and natural disease investigations.
- Details methods for written and visual documentation of findings.
- Defines and guides the use of terms: cause, mechanism, and manner of death.
Conclusions:
- The article offers practical guidance to improve forensic necropsy practices.
- Aims to standardize veterinary forensic pathology and build pathologist confidence.
- Supports the development and consistency of forensic veterinary services.
