APPLICATION OF FORENSIC VETERINARY IN VETERO-LEGAL CASES & STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) OF DNA FINGERPRINTING TECHNIQUES FOR ANIMALS

March 11, 2022

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COMPILED & SHARED BY DR.PK MOHATA, FORENSIC LAB, KOLKATA

The term „Forensic‟ is derived from the Latin word forensic, meaning „of the forum‟. Forensic science is a multidisciplinary subject that is drawn principally from Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology, Psychology, and even social sciences. Forensic Medicine is defined as the application of medical knowledge to the investigation of crime, particularly in establishing the causes of injury or death. Both are used for the scientific assessment of DNA, blood samples, bones, and so on. Forensic plays an important role in criminal investigations and it is equally used in Archeology, Anthropology, Astronomy, Biology, Geology and Victimology (Anonymous, 2017). Anatomical sciences are important in medical and forensic education and investigations. Forensic anatomy, a newly emerging field, therefore, there is a need for collaboration among Anatomists who are interested in forensic education and investigations with other Forensic Scientists. It has two major parts: Macroscopic and Microscopic Anatomy. From a molecular point of view, atoms interact to form molecules and the integration of molecules gives rise to organelles seen in the cell. The DNA, a chain of nucleotides and a part of the genetic make-up of an individual can be accessed from any part of the body structure like the hair, blood, bone, etc. This collaboration will create an opportunity for the exchange of ideas required for proper investigations in Forensic as well as an employment opportunity.

Forensic is an applied science used in a court of law to answer questions. Veterinary forensic is applied knowledge of veterinary to answer questions posed by a court of law. The practice of veterinary forensic pathology is quite old. The word pathology is derived from roots of Greek linguistics, “Pathos” means “ experience or suffering” and “Logia” means “an account of”. According to linguistic and forensi c role of pathology is to provide an account of suffering. The veterinary forensic pathology helps voiceless animals victims of abuse to tell a well phrased story about an animal victim who suffered and died from abuse. Animal sexual abuse (ASA) also known as zoophilia, bestiality, zoosexuality, zoosadium And many other terms (Lockwood, et.al,2016). According to US legal animal sexual abuse defines as the sexual molestation of an animal by a human being. It mostly involves killing or injuring an animal for sexual gratification. Any abusive act with an animal involving the rectum, anus or genitals or sexual contact with animals that may or may not result in physical injury to the animal. Women and children Abuse is same as animal abuse and troublesome because: ● Sexual contact of human an animal is coercive. ● It result in injury and death. ● Animals are voiceless and can’t tell about their abuse (Salvagni, et. al, 2012). In present time the proper term of “fornication with animals” is zoophilia. According to the literal zoophilia means “Affection or love” of animals. it does not indicate the normal love towards animals in refer to emotional, platonic and devotion; But it indicates erotic relationship with an animals which result in sexual gratification. There are five acts between human an animal ● Genital act (anal, Vagina intercourse, insertion of fingers, hands or foreign bodies) ● Oral genital acts (Fellatio, Cunnilingus) ● Masturbation ● Frotteurism (Rubbing of genitalia or the entire body on the animal) ● Voyeurism (Observation by third parties during sexual interaction with animals) Zoophilia is distinguished between violent zoophilia and non-violent zoophilia. As not all the animals let sexual intercourse occur, so that human use physical force to do so. Animal abuse are often Grave injuries do you do the physical force applied during sexual activity, sometime it result in death of the animal. A satisfaction of a person to inflict pain or injury to an animal, or kill it is called “zoosadium”. For example: ● Cattle stabber: Killing of animals in context of sexual gratification (Cows, horses, sheep and goats) ● Strangulation of chickens, geese and ducks during sexual intercourse. ● In Western countries prostitutes involves animals in sexual activities with their client an intimate act to torture them till death. Zoosadium also involves, Girls and women’s involved animals for their sexual gratification. Totem cults studied on creation of mixed creatures by sexual union between animals and humans to trace the concept of evolution of human from animals ( Bolliger et.al,2009). In statistical manual of mental disorder ( DSM-V)4 Animal Sexual abuse is not included in formal diagnosis disorder, it is included in other disorders in (DSM-IIIR)3 . Animal sexual abuse is a offense in Indian Penal Code but due to absence of documented abuse to animal it’s rare that these cases are prosecuted (Stern et. al, 2016).

Social and psychological context—-

Animal and human sexual relationship is a form of abused it impacts an animal, abuser and society. In animal sexual abuse activities men, women and children’s are involved, using foreign bodies in rectum and anus, acts of zoosadium, in animal pornography production. For the sexual gratification women’s may also be intercourse with male animals or receive oral contact to the genitals. In many instances, Death of a human in sexual relationship with animals, or caused serious injuries. Animals actual abuses offense committed by the child or women abuser to avoid being caught or reoffending. An abuser choose an animal for sexual gratification or this actually involved with animals because they are unrestricted and available. Necrobestiality is a variant of bestiality which indulged in a sexual act with dead animals. According to the study of Kinsey on human animals relationship, 8% males and 3.6% postpubescent women had intercourse with animals. According to the study of Brazil, the proposed risk of penile cancer in sex with animal. Prevalence of bestiality is more prove two psychiatric patients. Profiling of animal abuser is difficult because they come from every social economic group, Range from elders to teenagers. According to the research emotional neglect And abuse as children are more prove to animal abuser, aggression against human linked with bestiality. Bestiality is more commonly reported in violent offender, sexual offender and the sexually abused. For sexual gratification zoosadist will torture an animal to death, traumatic injury is a main exhibit of abuse. Most common method of killing of an animal is strangulation, it is seen in the concurrent injury in human sexual assault. Videography depicting torturing, beating, mutilation and death of an animal are sold on pornographic websites. These videography provides sexual gratification to animal abusers. in the influence of seductive or tranquilizers animals do not resist or due to blunt force trauma or conditioned to accept the abusive activity (Stern et. al, 2016).

FORENSIC VETERINARY ANATOMY APPLICATIONS IN VETERO-LEGAL CASES

Role of anatomy in forensic medicine revolves around the identification of sex, species and age in vetero-legal cases, insurance, and soundness certificates etc. The forensic science was recognized early in the 19th century. One of the significant developments in forensic science were the identification of finger prints. The fingerprint evidence was accepted for first time in English court in 1902. In the year 1980, the concept of DNA fingerprinting for species identification came into existence; however, in veterinary science first laboratory in biotechnology was established in1990 at IVRI, Izatnagar.

Importance of forensic anatomy –

Forensic anatomy intends to determine, examine and identify preserved or unpreserved body parts of the animal/human remains, as well as the living consequent upon which the big fours of Forensic Anthropology (i.e. sex, age, race and height) is established. Also examines the cause of death.

Anatomy of an animal crime scene –

Without physical evidence including animal bones, animal remains and even financial records, we could not show the link between critical tools in the fight against animal cruelty While every crime scene is different, the forensic scientists use the following steps to gather evidence a) Assessment b) Observation c) Documentation d) Search e) Collection f)Packaging and g) Analysis.

Forensic Veterinary Anatomy is a newly emerging field of Veterinary Anatomy. Forensic Veterinary anatomy is not only helpful in various vetero-legal cases but also play important role in identifying sex, breed, age, height, brutal killing as well as in poaching of domestic and wild animals. It also examines the cause of death. Anatomy is the branch of biological science which deals with the form and structure of the organisms (animals). It includes gross anatomy (Osteology, Arthrology, Myology, Splanchnology, Angiology, Neurology and Anesthesiology), microscopic anatomy (Histology, Histochemistry and Ultrastructure) and developmental anatomy (Embryology- prenatal and postnatal). Forensic Veterinary science combines the knowledge of veterinary anatomy with forensic science techniques to determine the identity of animal remains. Forensic experts specialize and have in-depth knowledge of the particular aspect of forensic veterinary anatomy. Forensic science has two subfields viz; forensic archeology and forensic taphonomy. Forensic Archeologist assists in the identification of dead individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated or otherwise unrecognizable. Forensic Taphonomist assists in the study of post-mortem changes of animal/human remains caused by soil, water and interaction with plants, insects, and other animals. Forensic taphonomy is divided into two sections viz; Biotaphonomy and Geotaphonomy. Biotaphonomyis the study of how the environment affects the decomposition of the body. Specifically, it is the examination of biological remains in order to ascertain how decomposition/ destruction occurred. This can include factors such as animal scavenging, climate as well as the size and age of an individual at the time of death. Biotaphonomy also deals with the common mortuary services and their effects on decomposition. Geotaphonomy is the examination of how the decomposition of the body affects the environment. It includes how the soil was disturbed, pH alteration of surrounding area and acceleration or deceleration of plant growth around the body. By examining these characteristics, it is possible to determine the timeline events during and after death. Today, Forensic Science is a well-established discipline especially in the human science (Forensic anthropology). In veterinary science, it plays a very important role in the identification and traceability of animals.

Forensic anatomy analytical techniques:

Role of embryology in fingerprinting, footprints, and other body prints: The knowledge of embryology is a branch of anatomy which is also applicable in forensic studies. Notably, the patterns of fingerprints are enclosed at the interface between the dermis, and such a pattern cannot be destroyed by surface skin injuries and thus remain unchanged throughout life. In addition to fingerprints, footprints, ear prints and muzzle print also follow the dermal pattern. Role of biometry: In Biometric technology the prints are seen, collected, studied, evaluated and compared with stored data and exact cross match with the culprit. The biometric system therefore, is a pattern recognition device that acquires physical or behaviora l data from an individual extracts a silent feature set from the data, compares this feature set against the features set stored in the database and provides the result of the comparison. Anatomists are consulted frequently for the identification of skeleton remnants found under suspicious circumstances. Unless the characters are measured and expressed in figures, accurate scientific evaluation is not possible. Lord Kelvin has stated, “I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about and expressed it in numbers, you know something about it but you cannot express it in number. Your knowledge is useless and of unsatisfactory kind, it may be the beginning of knowledge but have scarcely in your thought advanced to the stage of science whatever the matter may be.” Identification points did not have statical base, it may give wrong results for unknown cases. The biological data always shows normal distribution curve. Hence, it is necessary to calculate, Demarking Points, which can be calculated on the basis of Standard Deviation (SD). It is calculated by Mean ± SD which gives 99.75 percent accuracy. In vetero-legal cases cent percent accuracy is essential. The maximum and minimum limits are to be calculated by adding and subtracting SD to and from the mean values of each measurement. These values are referred as Demarking Points (DP) Determination of the sex of an individual from the skeleton remnants from the examination of a single bone is considered to be almost an impossible task. Pearson (1990) contributed to determining sex by the examination of single long bone. Singh and Singh (1971) demarcated sex from the various biometrical parameters of different bones in the body. Role of Osteology: The scientific study of bone is called osteology. The biological profile of every skeleton is unique. The knowledge of osteology is of great importance in animal height estimation, sex determination, determination of age and ancestry. Role of hair evidence: Hairs are composed primarily of the protein keratin, can be defines as slender outgrowths of the skin of mammals. Each species of animal possesses hair with characteristics length, colour, shape, root appearance and internal microscopic features that distinguish one animal from another. Hair cast is reliable without any expense gives 99 percent accuracy for identification of species and sex which can be confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Because hairs can be transferred during physical contact, their presence can be associate a suspect to a victim or a suspect/victim to a crime scene. Comparison of the microscopic characteristics of questioned hairs to known hair samples helps to determine whether a transfer may have occurred or not. Animal identification in forensic science is fundamental for many reasons. Analyses of animal remains, e.g. hair or bone, at a criminal scene may help to provide evidence for a contact of a suspected assailant or to diagnose some toxic cases e.g. the presence of arsenic, lead or molybdenum in animals. In restaurants, animal remain investigation can help to identify meat adulteration, e.g. meats of cat, dog or donkey instead of rabbit, goat or sheep. Furthermore, animal identification is important in case of illegal trade provided proof of principle that hair examination can give some evidence of the age. Animal species identification can be done based on many features including morphology of animal remains, particularly hair and bone. For example, osteon morphology can be used as a tool to distinguish mammalian from non-mammalian species. Hair morphology is another important tool that can be used to identify animal species. Four main types of hair were described in different mammals, of which guard hair is the most important in differentiation between various animal species. The hair consists of two parts, hair root which is embedded in the dermis of the skin, and hair shaft which extends above the epidermis as a cylindrical structure. The hair shaft consists of three distinct morphological layers medulla (the central layer), cuticle (the outer layer), and the cortex (between the medulla and the cuticle). The medulla, the innermost layer of the hair shaft, is a honeycomb-like keratin structure with air spaces in between. The hair medulla can be continuous, discontinuous or fragmental, depending on the species. The cortex contains keratin fibers and pigments which is responsible for the coloration of the hair. The cuticle, the outermost layer, consists of overlapping keratin scales. Two main patterns of cuticle scales were identified: (i) imbricate, this includes ovate, acuminate, elongate, flattened and crenate cuticles; and (ii) coronal, which include simple, serrate or dentate cuticles. The distance between every two successive scale margins can be close, intermediate or wide, depending on the animal species. The pattern of the cuticle scales, the type and the diameter of the medulla and/or the characteristics of pigmentation can be used for animal species identification as well as for differentiation between animal and human hair at crime scene. Ahmed, et al.(2018) reported that hair histology act as a tool for forensic identification of some domestic animal species. Muzzle printometry: Surface makings of the muzzle present numerous grooves forming definite pattern which may be used for the identification of animal by studying the muzzle prints. This method is useful in identification of animal as in human finger prints and may be employed on an organized farm to avoid the frauds made in insurance. It is also useful for identification fraternal and identical twins.Dhande (2012) mentioned that muzzle printometry is an anatomical technique for identification of animal and correlation in milk production Role of teeth: Forensic dentistry in science represents the overlap between the dental and the legal professions. The stored materials, which cannot be putrefied which can be utilized during lawsuits against dentists, identification procedure of cadavers having only skeleto n or which undergone putrefaction can be possible (Rath and Panda, 2017). One possible way to estimate the age of an adult is the microscopic examination of osteons. Younger adult have fewer and larger osteon while older adults have smaller and more osteons fragments. Another potential method for the determination of an adult skeleton is to look for the arthritis. Arthritis cause noticeable rounding off of the bones. The degree of rounding from arthritis coupled with the size and number of osteons is helpful to determine the age of an individual. Unusual Teeth in Mammals: Elephant’s tusk: upper incisors grow to form tusk, used in offence and defense. The lower incisors disappeared. The tusks are made of ivory which is a specialized dentine. Both sexes of African elephants have tusks but in India only males bear tusks. Pig’s tusk: In wild boar the upper canines are enlarged to form stout tusks. The wart hog (Phacochoerus) of Africa bears 4 upward curving tusks, used for digging in the soil for storage roots and tubers of the plants. Barking deer’s tusk: The male munt jaks and musk deer possess tusks which are the enlarged form of upper canine teeth, used for self defence. Walrus’s tusk: modified form of upper canines, primarily used to break the clams on the ocean floor. Fangs / tusks:large pointed Canine teeth in human Wolf tooth:these are vestigial first premolar tooth found in horse. Determination of sex: Depending upon the bone, the sex by looking for distinctive sexual dimorphisms. The pelvis and skull are commonly used for sex determination. The examination of conjugate diameter, transverse diameter, ischial arch and the location of sacrum is helpful in the determination of sex with great accuracy. The skull also contains multiple markers that can be used for the determination of sex. Specific markers on the skull include the temporal line, the eye sockets, the supraorbital ridge, nuchal lines and the mastoid process. The recent studies show that the dimensions of the foramen magnum are also very useful to determine the sex. The sexual dimorphism begins to occur during puberty and is not fully completed until and after sexual maturation (Ingrid and Maciej, 2015). Forensic scientists are able to see other marks present on the bones. Post fracture is evident by the presence of bone remodeling. The examination of any fractures on the bones can potentially help to determine cause of death as well as time of death by determining if a fracture occurred at antemortem (before death), perimortem or post mortem (Anastasi, et al., 2016).

Role of DNA analysis: ——-

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)- a chain can be accessed in of nucleotides and a part of genetic makeup of an individual (human/animal) can be accessed from any part of body i.e. hair, blood, bone etc. the DNA when isolated from any given part/structure of body and further examined, is always unique for a particular individual. In this way the interaction of body part at the molecular level is useful in the identification of individual (animal/human). The DNA can be used as a biometric tool to classify and guide the identification of unknown biological samples such as hair, blood, teeth, saliva, bone fragment, semen etc. More recent techniques like carbon dating (radiocarbon analysis), CT scanning etc are also useful techniques to determine the age, sex and stature of individual. Conclusively therefore, anatomical sciences are vital in forensic science/education and investigation and Anatomist who are interested in Forensics should be allowed to participate. This will ultimately create opportunity and collaboration among Anatomist and other Forensic scientists for exchange of ideas and for proper investigations having highlighted areas where Anatomical sciences will integrate well with Forensic science/investigation. In the future, a combine‟s approach of these advance tools with other radiological techniques may lead to an imaging data set with unsurpassable anatomical, physiological and pathological information, offering unique advantages in the field of forensic science.

Source-P.J Kapadnis, S. K. Karmore, S.K.Gupta and Alka Suman Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (M.P.) https://justagriculture.in/files/newsletter/2021/april/05.%20FORENSIC.pdf

In veterinary medicine, cases of animal neglect, cruelty, or abandonment can be an unfortunate part of our careers. However, it is inevitable that these cases will cross our paths.

Forensic investigation of animal cruelty cases involves collecting evidence for law enforcement. These cases are part medical and part legal. The veterinary medical forensic investigation is separate and independent of the law enforcement investigation.

The information we collect should remain unbiased and should be systematically obtained for investigation by local law enforcement. It is up to law enforcement to determine if animal abuse, neglect, or abandonment has occurred, however we must recognize the signs associated with each. It is the veterinarian’s responsibility to make an accurate and truthful determination of the animal’s health.

Most animal cruelty cases are prosecuted under state animal cruelty statues, which can vary from state to state. The forensic medical investigation may or may not support a finding of abuse, however it is up to veterinarians to present the evidence to law enforcement if there are concern for neglect, cruelty or abandonment.

The following will include information on some steps to collecting forensic evidence for cases, additional tools for casework, resources for reference and other information, however this is not all inclusive. While most cases present to the hospital with owners, sometimes veterinarians can be called to give opinions about outside cases as well. It is important to identify examination findings that could indicate animal cruelty, to then present the evidence to law enforcement for investigation.

Considerations

Consistent approach to every case. Standard protocol, evidence collection.
Be complete and thorough. Don’t make assumptions about what your investigation will uncover.
The animal is evidence that changes with time, in some cases serial documentation is needed.
Independent and unbiased medical investigation. Document the facts of the case.
You must make a definitive diagnosis.
Is the animal injured, or has its health been impaired? Is the animal in pain?
Emaciation does not equal starvation; Be aware of the clinical signs of emaciation and starvation. Ruling out systemic illness may be indicated.
For hair matting to be criminal neglect it must have compromised the animal’s health (it is not just cosmetic).
Make and commit to a pain assessment.

When presented with a case of suspected abuse or neglect, there are some obvious signs that concern us, and some others that can be more elusive.

Signs to look for

History inconsistent with the injury; unexplained injury
Discrepant history (varies with person telling it)
Client/patient behavior (owner unconcerned about injuries, animal is extremely fearful)
Fractures: skull, limb, rib fractures; multiple fractures
Multiple fractures in different stages of healing are a cardinal sign of non-accidental injury (NAI).
Bruising- most frequently over thorax, abdomen, head/neck; linear bruising
Repetitive injuries- old injuries or untreated wounds, fractures as above. Check previous medical history for repeated visits to the hospital, or similar injury presentation.
Burns and scalds: cigarette burns, burns of pads of 4 feet, caustic or chemical burns. There may be odor associated with use of an accelerant (oil or chemicals). Scalds from pouring are likely to be over animal’s back or top of head.
Eye injuries- subconjunctival/scleral hemorrhages can indicate choke or strangulation injury.
Internal thoracic and abdominal injuries- to diaphragm, liver, spleen, kidney or bladder; result of kicking or punching; may be severe or fatal
Administration of drugs or poisons- stupor or bizarre behavioral signs.
Drowning- necropsy may show little besides animal being wet; body may show signs of forcible restraint during submersion.
Asphyxiation- crushing injury of trachea; edema of laryngeal region, lips, tongue and eyelids.
Misc: Dislocation of the tail near the sacrum from swinging a cat by its tail; separation of scapula from underlying tissues if the animal has been swung by the forelimb(s); stab wounds or gunshot wounds.

Accidental injury/motor vehicle accidents vs Non-accidental injury (NAI) journal review results

Motor vehicle accidents (MVA) were pelvic fractures, pneumothorax, pulmonary contusions, abrasions, and degloving wounds.
NAI were fractures of the skull, teeth, vertebrae, and ribs, scleral hemorrhage, damage to claws, and evidence of older fractures.
NAI cases were found to be smaller, younger, and more often sexually intact when compared to MVA cases.
MVA rib fractures tended to be in discrete clusters on one side of the body, with cranial ribs more likely to fracture.
NAI cases, rib fractures tended to be on both sides of the body with no cranial-caudal pattern.

5 fracture features that should raise suspicion of NAI

The presence of multiple fractures
Fractures occurring on >1 region of the body
Transverse fractures
Fractures presenting with radiographic evidence of healing
Multiple fractures at different stages of healing

Missile Ballistics

Rifling at end of barrel for identification (creates pattern on missile)
- Pellets
- Round shot, not copper coated (BBs)
Should not handle with metal for removal as this can damage rifling pattern
- Use plastic forceps, or can cover ends of hemostats/forceps with rubber tubing
Rinse blood off with tap water
- Blood is corrosive and will destroy rifling over time
Storage
- Place in plastic bag, roll down and tape. Can use rubber glove finger as well.
- Then in rigid container, to evidence bag

Bodies found in water can be analyzed to determine drowning versus submersion postmortem

Prove suffering based on concern for drowning
Diatom analysis
- Diatoms are algae, unicellular
- Found in all water types, except household supplies
Water will flow passively after death, so can be found in GI tract.
To attempt to prove circulation was active when exposed to water, looking for diatoms in body organs
- Submit whole kidney, uncut and compare to water supply
- Part of the liver; upper lobe of either lung; whole femur, with ends still enclosed (for advanced decomposition)

Entomological Evidence

Forensic Entomologist, contact to discuss
Pupae, larva
Use blunt forceps and transfer to specimen holders with damp tissue, evidence packaging
Can transport back from scene in a cool box
Use boiling water to kill instantly
Transfer to 80% ethanol
Sometimes ½ will be saved to grow to adult stages to assess species
Can help to determine approximate timing of death

DNA and Biology

Blood and touch DNA
Forensic Biologist- body fluid and blood analysis
Can perform DNA testing on samples
Wet and dry sampling for Touch DNA
Contact lab for procedure, PPE

Concern for animal neglect or abandonment pose additional challenges for cases. If an animal is suspected to be left without food, water, adequate shelter, or necessary medical care, there are additional determinations to make for their cases.

Five Freedoms, Animal Welfare

Freedom from hunger and thirst.
Freedom from discomfort.
Freedom from pain, injury or disease.
Freedom to express normal behavior.
Freedom from fear and distress.

Suffering

While pain equals suffering, suffering does not always equal pain.
Suffering is broader than pain.
Suffering can be physical or mental, and it can be associated with a range of potential causations.
Physical or mental suffering, or related expressions
- Suffer: to submit to or be forced to endure; to put up with, especially as inevitable or unavoidable; to endure death, pain, or distress; to sustain loss or damage; to be subject to disability or handicap
In practice, what constitutes actual suffering is a question of fact to be determined by the Court
Duration and intensity
- Suffering can be of any duration and at any level
- Duration and level of suffering can be used to determine “intent.” How long did the animal have the problem?
Necessary versus unnecessary suffering- necessary suffering would be considered suffering with relation to recovery/healing post operatively to cure an illness
Animals that are dead or unconscious cannot suffer

Suffering and Seizure

Make determination about suffering as apart of physical exam
Animal Legal and Historic Center has several cases for review
Underweight animals, determine:
- Emaciated- abnormally thin or weak
- Cachexia- weakness and wasting of the body
- Starvation- underweight due to lack of nutrition
Vocalization
Stereotypical Behavior- pacing, repetitive behavior, self trauma.
- Lack of space, absence of natural surroundings, inability to escape or roam, boredom due to lack of intellectual stimulation

Seizure

If additional animals in household
Medical treatment necessary

Weather information can be helpful for cases of suspected weather related injuries/exposure, or pets left outside/abandoned.

The Tufts Animal Condition and Care (TACC) scale is a numeric scale that evaluates body condition, risk from exposure to temperature extremes, and sanitation and grooming as indicators of adequate animal husbandry. The TACC scores are similar to childcare rating scales developed for social workers who are assessing infants as risk of neglect.

If Euthanasia is a consideration for a case due to patient suffering

When an owner does not want/refuses to euthanize
If owner is not present
Consult with another veterinarian
Contact Animal Law enforcement, Animal Control, or other agency
- If animal is a part of an active investigation, you must get the approval of the lead agent
AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals
Documentation
If inappropriate to wait, always err on the side of the animal and alleviate suffering

Euthanasia

You can give advice on euthanasia by owners, law enforcement if they cannot bring a patient to you and there is concern for suffering
- Usually with firearm
- AVMA and MSU Animal Law Center has recommendations
Necropsy should be considered in all cases if possible

In Hospital Cases

Presenting complaints, injuries
Owner stories, make sense?
Review previous records if possible
Contact Animal Law Enforcement for the city of where the owner lives, they will be in charge of case investigation. In some cases, you will have to talk to a few people as there are different levels of understand for investigating these cases and who will be assigned to the case. Often Animal Control Officer will be starting contact.
Documentation, Diagrams, Photographs, Video
Necropsy- can refer to University Hospital if not comfortable performing in house
Proof of guilt? Not up to veterinarians to determine who is the perpetrator, however if information is received during history, certainly forward to investigator. It is up to law enforcement to determine case.
Determine suffering and document with pain level scores, photos, video, vocalizing, etc. Sometimes in stoic cases, after pain medication, changes to patient can help with suffering and pain level assessment.
What human action or inaction may have caused the animal’s illness or death?

Animal Examinations

Initial assessment and triage
Assign patient number
Evidence Receipt Form if a case from law enforcement
Police ID if available
Animal Exam Form- forms available on AVMA website
Dog/cat Diagram Form- can use diagram for sketching of injuries
Photos*, video
Scan for microchip, document number for case file- MC information can link a case to length of ownership and if injuries sustained during time of ownership, or can be helpful in cases of abandonment
Record- sight, smell, pain level, etc.

Photography- use dedicated camera and not cellphone

Important to do prior to any alterations to the pet, including IVC placement, ideally, but not if detrimental for patient
Include ID card with name, patient number and date, including year
Take all angles of pet, ideally top and bottom as well, and standing position
The camera lens should be parallel to the forensic scale/ruler
Start large and focus down to an area of concern
Include any lesions, overgrown nails, injuries
Save photos and upload to chart
Video can be important as well to document vocalizations, neurological status, etc.
As pet changes, take additional photographs

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) OF DNA FINGERPRINTING TECHNIQUES FOR ANIMALS

DNA Fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting is a chemical test that shows the genetic makeup of a person or other living things. It’s used as evidence in courts, to identify bodies, track down blood relatives, and to look for cures for disease.

DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid, which is inside of every cell in your body. It’s a chain of chemical compounds that join together to form permanent blueprints for life.

These compounds are called bases, and there are 4 of them. They pair up with another to form what are called base pairs. Your DNA has about 3 billion of these couples. The way they’re strung together tells your cells how to make copies of each other.

The complete set of your compounds is known as a genome. More than 99.9 % of everyone’s genome is exactly alike (100% if you are identical twins). But the tiny bit that’s not is what makes you physically and mentally different from someone else.

DNA fingerprinting uses chemicals to separate strands of DNA and reveal the unique parts of your genome. The results show up as a pattern of stripes that can be matched against other samples.

Uses

Since it was invented in 1984, DNA fingerprinting most often has been used in court cases and legal matters. It can:

Physically connect a piece of evidence to a person or rule out someone as a suspect.
Show who your parents, siblings, and other relatives may be.
Identify a dead body that’s too old or damaged to be recognizable.

DNA fingerprinting is extremely accurate. Most countries now keep DNA records on file in much the same way police keep copies of actual fingerprints.

It also has medical uses. It can:

Match tissues of organ donors with those of people who need transplants.
Identify diseases that are passed down through your family.
Help find cures for those diseases, called hereditary conditions.

Fingerprint Test

To get your DNA fingerprint, you would give a sample of cells from your body. This can come from a swab inside your mouth, from your skin, the roots of your hair, or your saliva, sweat, or other body fluids. Blood is usually the easiest way. Lab workers treat the sample with chemicals to separate the DNA, which is then dissolved in water. Your DNA is cut into smaller segments with another chemical process to get sections of 5 to10 base pairs that repeat themselves. Technicians copy those tiny sections millions of times to make the samples longer for easier study.

Lab workers take those strips of DNA and mix them into a gel. Then they run an electric current through the gel, which separates smaller strands of DNA from the larger ones. A dye added to the gel makes the DNA strips stand out when they’re placed against an ultraviolet light or lit up with a laser.

The more these short segments are tested, the more accurate the DNA profile will be. The strips will show a barcode-like pattern that can then be compared to the results from another sample of DNA to find a match.