Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian

Meet a Real-Life Animal CSI

Dr. Merck outside of the “Animal Crime Scene Investigation Unit” with many of her tools—an evidence collection kit, evidence tagging kit, UV light, x-ray machine, and a photography kit for identifying evidence at the scene.

Because of TV shows like CSI and Law and Order, real-life jurors expect forensic science to back up all the evidence presented to them—and animal cruelty cases are no exception. ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian Dr. Melinda Merck, who testifies as a forensic veterinary expert for animal cruelty cases around the country, literally wrote the book on using science in investigating animal cruelty!

To spread the word about her lifesaving work, we held a live chat with Dr. Merck in the ASPCA Community. The following questions and answers were taken from the online discussion:

How did you get involved in veterinary forensics?

Dr. Merck: My interest in this field mostly evolved from seeing cruelty cases in private practice, including working with rescue and animal control groups. In 2000, the felony animal cruelty law was passed in Georgia, and I joined a group called Georgia Legal Professionals for Animals, which conducted educational seminars on the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty. I had to do more research for these seminars and started working with medical examiners and studying forensics. From there it grew to more work with more cases, and eventually I joined the ASPCA!

What does a forensic veterinarian do?

Dr. Merck: Evidence associated with any crime has to be analyzed and interpreted in the proper context. In order to properly identify evidence, analyze it and interpret the findings, you have to know animals and animal behavior. This is what I do and what I bring to a crime scene. I am an animal expert investigating crimes against animals—I conduct crime scene investigation and then the examination of the victim (which is the animal). And then I work with investigators and prosecutors to develop the case and bring it to court.

Dr. Merck tests suspected blood stains with phenolphthalein, which will cause real blood to turn bright pink in color.

Dr. Merck: The evidence I find varies with the type of case. I actually examine the crime scene as well as the animal in most of my cases. I am looking for evidence that can show me if a crime happened and what event took place. I look for blood evidence, trace evidence, fluids, weapons, poisons and so on. I look for clues to what type of weapon may have been used—I actually take a rubber cast of any wound to match to any suspected weapon. I use a UV light to look for fluid, fibers and blood. I also use something called Blue Star, which fluoresces hidden blood a blue color. For hoarding, I look for evidence of how long the animals have been in those conditions, what diseases or types of neglect they are suffering from. We take ammonia readings in those homes, which can be toxic to humans and animals. I also look for insect evidence (yes, I get excited when we have maggots!) because they are the most accurate way to determine time of injury or death. I work with several forensic specialists to analyze these types of evidence.

What are the tools/instruments you always have on you when you're at a crime scene?

Dr. Merck: I actually have several crime scene kits. For buried remains, I have special tools to excavate a grave, including a collapsible grid from which to take measurements, a GPS unit, a sifter for all dirt removed, a tool to collect soil samples, and all my evidence jars and bags. For collecting insects, I have a net for live insects, special jars and preservative fluid, and a group of ID cards to identify the insects. I have special thermometers for the animal and the environment, a large UV black light, magnifier, Mikrosil rubber casting material, trace evidence lifters, Blue Star, phenolphthalein to trace blood, and all sorts of tweezers and evidence containers. When I come to a scene, I never know what we are going to find or need, so I have to have everything!

Tell us about your book, Veterinary Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty: A Guide for Veterinarians and Law Enforcement.

Dr. Merck: I wrote this book to provide a more detailed resource for veterinarians, though it can be a valuable resource for investigators as well. It covers the legal system, crime scene investigation, recognition of all types of cruelty and how to collect evidence, testing and determining time of death. I have certainly a lot more to add for the next edition since I finished writing a year ago! I am working on several areas of research and documentation of injuries, including skeletal remains. We do not have the equivalent of forensic anthropology in animals, which is why I am very interested in developing that side.

What is the worst case you've ever been involved in?

Dr. Merck: Hands down, it was the puppy torture case in Atlanta in December 2006. Two young men, ages 17 and 19, broke into a community center that had just been refurbished in their apartment complex. They destroyed it by breaking windows, walls, the computers and so on. Then they took a three-month-old puppy and hog-tied her with duct tape, muzzled her with duct tape, poured paint on her, tried to light her on fire (unsuccessfully) and then placed her in an oven and baked her to death. Then they brought children in to see the puppy in the oven, and threatened them not to tell. It was the most horrendous case I have seen. The case was taken to trial, where we got a hung jury with 11-1 for conviction. A re-trial date was set, and three days before the start the defendants pled guilty on all counts (1 burglary, 1 criminal damage to property, 1 animal cruelty, 3 child cruelty, 3 terrorist-like threats to children) and received the max on all counts to serve concurrently, which amounted to 20 years—10 to serve in prison and 10 to serve as probation. They also had disturbing juvenile records—one committed arson and the other had sexually assaulted a child.

What’s the best part of your job?

Dr. Merck: The best part of the job is when we succeed—this can mean a conviction, successful intervention or when the animal is now protected from future harm. I work with a group of investigators and prosecutors who support going after the criminals who commit cruelty—that continually validates what I am doing and keeps me motivated.

How are you able to stay strong when you know the animal you're working on is the victim of abuse?

Dr. Merck: It is certainly difficult to work with these cases because they represent the ultimate breakdown of the human-animal bond. I think my work as a veterinarian has helped me because you learn to compartmentalize in order to do your job—you cannot succumb to emotion while working on an animal or case. For cruelty, I turn it into a puzzle that I have to solve. My goal is to gather evidence to find and successfully prosecute the offender. I realize that what’s done is done and I have to work toward justice. It is very hard because of my empathy for animals, but the best thing I can do for them is be their voice.

To read the complete transcript from this list, visit the ASPCA's Fight Animal Cruelty section.

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