Veterinary Forensic Pathology, Volume 2 (eBook)

Jason W. Brooks, VMD, PhD, DACVP, is a veterinary pathologist from the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Penn State University.  As a pioneer in the field of veterinary forensic pathology, he has forged a path toward advancement of the discipline by seeking out advanced training in forensic pathology and crime scene analysis from medical and law enforcement professionals.  He routinely assists law enforcement with animal crimes investigations and strives to develop instructional materials and programs for veterinary pathologists and the law enforcement community.  He conducts research on the estimation of the postmortem interval and the pathology of gunshot wounds and teaches graduate and undergraduate students in pathology and forensic sciences.

Preface 6
Contents 8
1: Drowning and Bodies Recovered from Water 9
1.1 Introduction 9
1.2 The Process and Mechanism of Drowning 10
1.2.1 Autonomic Conflict: The Diving Response and Cold Shock Responses in Cold Water Immersion 13
1.3 Morbidity 14
1.4 Macroscopic and Microscopic Lesions of Drowning 14
1.5 Postmortem Changes 17
1.6 Case Report of Drowning [81] 18
1.7 Ancillary Tests and Methods Used in Determination of Drowning 19
1.7.1 Lung Weights 19
1.7.2 Diatoms 19
1.7.3 Electrolyte Tests 19
1.8 Summary 20
References 20
2: Thermal/Electrical Injuries 24
2.1 Burns 24
2.2 Fire 26
2.2.1 Pulmonary Irritants 27
2.2.2 Carbon Monoxide 28
2.2.3 Cyanide 29
2.3 Erythema Ab Igne 29
2.4 Scalds 29
2.5 Radiation 30
2.6 Sources of Thermal Injury in Wildlife 31
2.6.1 Gas Flares 31
2.6.2 Solar Energy Equipment 31
2.7 Microwave Burns 32
2.8 Post-Burn Sequelae 33
2.9 Electrothermal Injury 33
2.9.1 Electrocution 34
2.9.2 Lightning Strike 37
2.10 Chemical Burns 39
References 41
3: Neglect 43
3.1 Introduction 43
3.2 Defining Neglect 43
3.2.1 Failure to Provide Adequate Food, Water, Shelter and Veterinary Care 43
3.3 Findings Compatible with Neglect 45
3.3.1 Lack of Adequate Nutrition 45
3.3.2 Starvation and Dehydration 49
3.3.3 Neglect Related to Inappropriate Shelter and Environment 52
3.3.4 Hypothermia and Hyperthermia 52
3.3.5 Inappropriate Restraint 55
3.3.6 Lack of Veterinary Treatment 55
3.4 Neglect Cases Examined 57
3.4.1 Evaluation of the Scene or Environment 57
3.4.2 Postmortem Examination 59
3.4.2.1 Discriminating between Natural Disease and Malnutrition 59
3.4.2.2 Necropsy Findings Associated with Long-Term Inadequate Nutrition and Dehydration 63
3.4.3 Hoarding: A Special Case of Neglect 66
References 71
4: Environmental Injuries 72
4.1 Normal Physiology of Thermoregulation under Normal Conditions in Animals 72
4.2 Hypothermia 72
4.2.1 Definition 72
4.2.2 Risk Factors 72
4.2.3 Pathophysiology 72
4.2.4 Macroscopic Lesions 73
4.2.5 Microscopic Lesions 74
4.3 Hyperthermia 74
4.3.1 Definition and Types 74
4.3.2 Risk Factors 75
4.3.3 Pathophysiology 75
4.3.4 Clinical Signs and Relationship to Mortality 76
4.3.5 Macroscopic Lesions 76
4.3.6 Microscopic Lesions 76
4.4 Challenges of Confirming Hypothermia and Hyperthermia in Animals 76
References 77
5: Poisoning 79
5.1 When to Suspect a Poisoning 79
5.2 Importance of History Taking 79
5.2.1 Exposure History 80
5.2.2 Environmental History 80
5.2.3 Animal History 80
5.3 Sample Collection and Storage 81
5.3.1 Environmental Samples 81
5.3.2 Antemortem Samples 82
5.3.3 Postmortem Samples 82
5.3.4 Sample Storage 82
5.4 Common Toxicants in Domestic Pets and Wildlife 83
5.4.1 Anticholinesterase Insecticides 83
5.4.1.1 Sources 83
5.4.1.2 Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 83
5.4.1.3 Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 83
5.4.1.4 Diagnosis 83
5.4.2 Rodenticides 84
5.4.2.1 Sources 84
5.4.2.2 Anticoagulant Rodenticides 84
Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 84
Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 84
Diagnosis 85
5.4.2.3 Bromethalin 85
Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 85
Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 85
Diagnosis 85
5.4.2.4 Strychnine 85
Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 85
Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 85
Diagnosis 86
5.4.3 Avitrol 86
5.4.3.1 Sources 86
5.4.3.2 Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 86
5.4.3.3 Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 86
5.4.3.4 Diagnosis 86
5.4.4 Starlicide 86
5.4.4.1 Sources 86
5.4.4.2 Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 86
5.4.4.3 Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 86
5.4.4.4 Diagnosis 87
5.4.5 Pentobarbital 87
5.4.5.1 Sources 87
5.4.5.2 Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 87
5.4.5.3 Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 87
5.4.5.4 Diagnosis 87
5.4.6 Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) 87
5.4.6.1 Sources 87
5.4.6.2 Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 87
5.4.6.3 Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 87
5.4.6.4 Diagnosis 88
5.4.7 Lead 88
5.4.7.1 Sources 88
5.4.7.2 Mode of Action and Affected Body Systems 88
5.4.7.3 Expected Clinical Signs and Lesions 88
5.4.7.4 Diagnosis 88
References 89
6: Anesthesia-Related Deaths 92
6.1 Introduction 92
6.2 Pathophysiology of Anesthesia-Related Deaths 92
6.3 Necropsy Procedure and Reporting 93
6.4 Necropsy Lesions in Perianesthetic Death 96
References 98
7: Animal Fighting 100
7.1 Dogfighting 100
7.1.1 The Dogs 100
7.1.2 Housing 101
7.1.3 Training and Conditioning 101
7.1.4 The Fight 104
7.1.5 Wound Patterns 105
7.2 Cockfighting 111
7.2.1 The Birds 112
7.2.2 Housing 112
7.2.3 Preparation for a Fight: Conditioning 113
7.2.4 Preparation for a Fight: Alterations 115
7.2.5 The Fight 118
7.2.6 Wound Patterns 121
References 122
8: Animal Sexual Abuse Investigations 123
8.1 Introduction 123
8.2 The Sexual Assault Examination 124
8.2.1 The Perianal Examination 125
8.2.2 The Vaginal Examination 126
8.2.3 The Penile and Scrotal Examination 126
8.2.4 The Negative Examination 127
8.3 Trace Evidence Collection 127
References 129
9: Ritualistic Animal Killing 130
9.1 Introduction 130
9.2 The Right to Practice Religious Animal Slaughter and Animal Sacrifice 130
9.3 Religious Animal Slaughter for Consumption 131
9.4 Religious Animal Sacrifice 132
9.5 “Occult” and “Satanic” Animal Sacrifice 134
9.6 Criminal Ritualistic Animal Killing 135
9.7 Perpetrators of Ritualistic Animal Abuse and Killing 135
9.8 The Necropsy 137
References 139
10: Writing the Necropsy Report 140
10.1 Importance of the Necropsy Report 140
10.2 Content and Format of the Forensic Necropsy Report 140
10.3 Pitfalls of Report Writing 141
10.4 The Cause, Manner, and Mechanism of Death 142
10.4.1 The Cause of Death (COD) 142
10.4.2 The Mechanism of Death 143
10.4.3 The Manner of Death 143
10.5 The Opinion 144
Appendix 1: Cornell University Forensic Necropsy Report Form 145
Ancillary Procedures and Laboratory Tests: 147
Pathologic Diagnoses 147
Cause of Death: 147
Opinion 147
Appendix 2 148
Appendix 3 149
Bibliography 150
11: Age Determination in Dogs and Cats 151
11.1 Introduction 151
11.2 Methods for Age Determination 152
11.3 Data Tables for Clinical and Forensic Use 157
11.4 Factors for Consideration in Forensic Application 162
Appendix 163
References, 163
Index 164