About
The University of Florida Veterinary Forensic Sciences Program

The educational mission of the University of Florida Veterinary Forensic Sciences program is to foster the application of the forensic sciences to veterinary medicine through workshops, shortcourses, graduate research, case analysis, and distance education.

Areas of Education in Veterinary Forensic Sciences

The University of Florida has produced a number of professional activities created to foster the application of the forensic sciences to veterinary medicine.  These program areas include:

Professionals in Veterinary Forensic Sciences

Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are the primary professionals who encounter animal cruelty, conduct examinations, and become involved in a legal investigation.  They are also most likely to render expert opinions in a court of law regarding cases of suspected animal cruelty.  For these cases, professionals in veterinary medicine who are well versed in various aspects of forensic science are critical to a properly managed case response.  Veterinarians are often responsible for the documentation of the physical findings of abuse, collection of associated physical evidence, and provide expert opinions in a court of law.  Veterinarians may also be requested to assist at the crime scene by state and local law enforcement officials.

Crime Scene Investigators, Forensic Laboratory Analysts, and Law Enforcement

Professionals who are engaged in forensic science and crime scene analysis focused on crimes against humans often encounter acts of animal cruelty in their routine casework.  The Veterinary Forensic Sciences Program is also designed for these professionals so they can better document, collect, and preserve evidence from scenes of animal cruelty for the prosecution of the animal crime or for additional demonstrative evidence for the prosecution of the human crime.  Since crimes against animals are well-documented indicator crimes of future violent behavior towards humans, law enforcement and forensic science professionals are keenly aware of the need to document and prosecute crimes against animals.