Veterinary Forensics Symposium
April 9-11, 2008 Orlando, Florida
Veterinary forensics is a new and emerging field. The purpose of this website is to aid those who are investigating crimes involving animals.
Melinda D. Merck, D.V.M., has been studying and investigating animal cruelty cases since beginning her practice in veterinary medicine. After graduating with her veterinary degree from Michigan State University in 1988, she opened The Cat Clinic of Roswell in June, 1990, in Roswell, Georgia. In addition to private practice, she worked on cruelty cases with local animal control agencies.
After the Animal Protection Act was passed in Georgia, Dr. Merck joined the Georgia Legal Professionals for Animals (GLPA) in January, 2003, as the Vice President of Veterinary and Forensic Affairs, and began giving seminars on veterinary forensic investigations through GLPA for law enforcement and veterinarians. To develop her expertise in this emerging field, she worked closely with medical examiners at the Fulton County Medical ExaminersÂ’ Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and studied human forensics textbooks. She now works full-time as the Forensic Veterinarian for the ASPCA where she serves as a national and international consultant on animal cruelty cases and provides expert witness testimony. In addition, Dr. Merck consults around the Atlanta metro area with animal control investigations.
Dr. Merck spoke at the North American Veterinary Conference in January 2004 and 2005, chairing a half-day program on "Veterinary Forensics: Making the Case." She also conducted and on-line course for the Veterinary Information Network in November 2005. In February 2006, Dr. Merck spoke at the Midwest Veterinary Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Most recently, she spoke on the topics of Veterinary Forensics and CSI from a veterinarian's perspective for a seminar held by the Georgia State Bar Association.
Dr. Merck has lectured at the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, University of Tennessee, and Purdue University. Future conference engagements include the North American Veterinary Conference in January 2007 in Orlanda, Florida, and the Western States Veterinary Conference in February 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dr. Merck is the author of the new publication, Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations (Blackwell Publishing), which was released in June, 2007. She is also the co-author of the book entitled Veterinary Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty: A Guide for Veterinarians and Law Enforcement (Humane Press).