Overview on crime scene procedures involving animals

Abstract

Crime scene investigation is one of the most important criminal expertise assignments. It depends on the appropriate treatment of the traces found in crime scenes, helping to elucidate the materiality, authorship and dynamics of a crime. It is necessary to recognize the importance of the expertise as a fundamental factor to carry out intelligent and professional investigations, which result in the identification of criminals and in the production of proves.1 There are a number of cases where crimes involve animals, parts of animals, products and by-products of the animal industry, which require the assistance of a veterinarian for the proper examination of the traces. Examples include crimes against wildlife, such as animal abuse, illegal hunting and illegal trade of animals, fraud in animal products and veterinary medicines, crimes against public health and environmental crimes. In addition to these cases, there are many others that require the performance of a veterinary professional, either by private competence or in collaboration with professionals from other areas, such as biologists, chemists, engineers, etc. Animals have relevance to crime scene investigation without necessarily being the main object of the crime, but associated in an indirect manner, in also other situations. This article aims to present the peculiarities of crime scene investigation, which in some way are influenced by animals, depending on the nature or characteristics of the crime committed.