title: Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence: The Cruelty Connection and Its Implications for Veterinary Pathology.
abstract: The role of the veterinary forensic pathologist in the investigation of animal abuse or neglect can go beyond documenting the condition of animals presented as evidence. Although animal cruelty is a moral concern and a crime in itself, law enforcement response to such crimes is often enhanced by the recognition that crimes against animals can be both indicators of other ongoing crimes against people and predictors of the potential for interpersonal violence. An understanding of common motives underlying animal cruelty can aid the pathologist in asking appropriate questions. The authors review the forms of pathology evidence commonly seen in various presentations of animal cruelty. Understanding these forms of evidence can help the pathologist describe findings that can be significant for assessing the potential risks the alleged perpetrator may pose to other animals and humans.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty Projects, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Falls Church, VA, USA randall.lockwood@aspca.org.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lockwood
authors.affiliation: National Link Coalition, Stratford, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arkow
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000818:Animals; D003415:Crime; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D035846:Law Enforcement; D009042:Motivation; D010341:Pathology, Veterinary / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence
keywords: animal cruelty; animal welfare legislation; forensic investigation; forensic psychology; forensic veterinarian; veterinary forensic pathologist