Practical Veterinary Forensics
David Bailey(Editor)
CABI Publishing
Published on 12. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-83699-433-6 (ISBN)
Description
Veterinarians often come into contact with the law in cases of animal cruelty, domestic animal and wildlife crimes, and human crimes with an animal element. This book provides practical information and training on how to operate within a crime scene. It covers the tests that may need to be carried out, collecting evidence, preparing reports and giving evidence in court as an expert witness. Concentrating on the basic principles and background knowledge needed, the book includes hair, blood and bite mark analysis as well as an overview of firearms injury. It explores wider concepts such as the human-animal bond and one health, going on to give practical guidance and numerous case studies, which bring the book to life and into the real world of the busy crime scene. Practical Veterinary Forensics is an indispensable guide to all veterinarians working in cases of animal cruelty, abuse and crimes against animals. It is essential for welfare organizations, animal shelters and those requiring an introduction to veterinary forensic science.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Wallingford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
41 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 171 mm
Width: 244 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
442 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83699-433-6 (9781836994336)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

David Bailey
Practical Veterinary Forensics
E-Book
06/2016
CABI Publishing
€140.99
Available for download
Persons
Dr David Bailey is a qualified veterinary surgeon with 25 years' experience as a veterinarian in mixed animal practice. He is the founder and course director of the first recognized postgraduate teaching qualification in Veterinary Forensics and Law in the UK, and an experienced expert witness, instructed in civil and criminal cases in matters involving animals, animal by-product, animal welfare, and animal cruelty matters. He now runs Forensic Vet Ltd., a company created to fulfil a need for a standardised approach to legal disputes involving experts, evidence and animals, with an emphasis on practical veterinary forensics delivered through teaching, research, and an understanding of the law.
Editor
Veterinary Forensic Consultant, UK
Contributions
Cranfield University, UK
Griffith Law School, Australia
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Staffordshire University, UK
Staffordshire University, UK
Animal Forensic Investigations LLC, USA
Content
1: Introduction: What is Veterinary Forensics? 2: Forensic Philosophy 3: Law & Animals 4: Forensic Science and Applications to One Health 5: Evidence Collection and Gathering: The Living Evidence 6: Forensic Examination of Animal Hair 7: Firearms and Ballistics 8: Blood and Blood Pattern Analysis 9: Understanding the Nature of Document Evidence 10: Forensic Toxicology 11: Bitemark Analysis 12: Report Writing 13: The Human-Animal Interaction