Dr. Melinda Merck is the owner of Veterinary Forensics Consulting in Austin, Texas. She provides expert case consultations including assistance with crime scene investigation and examinations of live and deceased victims, frequently testifying as a veterinary forensics expert. She provides support to large scale operations including exhumations of burial sites and examination of skeletal animal remains. Dr. Merck provides training for veterinary, attorney and law enforcement professionals internationally on the use of veterinary forensic science and medicine in the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty cases and the link to crime against humans.

Dr. Merck is the Program Chair for NAVC VMX Veterinary Forensics: Animal CSI program and Course Coordinator for the VetFolio Veterinary Forensics online courses. She serves on the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee and the Association of Prosecuting Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Advisory Council. She is the Past President of the Board of Directors for North American Veterinary Community and is the founding chair of the Board of Directors for the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association.

She developed the first Veterinary Forensics course for University of Georgia and Florida veterinary schools and frequently lectures at other veterinary, technician and law colleges. She teaches workshops on animal crime scenes and the processing of burial and surface remains. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and member of the International Association of Blood Stain Analysts.