Quick Take
- The ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center opened in late 2020 as the nation’s first multidisciplinary forensic laboratory.
- Investigating animal cruelty now requires specialized scientific support for over 3,000 animal victims across the nation.
- Before 2020, the lack of a multidisciplinary forensic laboratory left law enforcement without a lot of essential evidence for prosecution.
- Veterinary forensic findings are now a critical indicator for identifying animal neglect and abuse and lend themselves to helping with child abuse, domestic violence, and more.
In a quiet corner of Gainesville, Florida, science is speaking up for animals who can’t speak for themselves.
The ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center opened in late 2020 as the nation’s first multidisciplinary forensic laboratory dedicated to assisting law enforcement and animal control agencies investigating cruelty and neglect cases. At its heart, the Center exists for one simple reason: to give animal victims a voice rooted in science.
At the helm is Dr. Rachel Touroo, Senior Director, ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Sciences. Essentially, she’s a forensic veterinarian whose work sits at the intersection of animal medicine and criminal justice. And if you think “veterinary forensic science” sounds like something out of a CSI or Law & Order episode, you’re not totally off-base. Crucially, the Center didn’t open because it would be nice to have. It opened because it was desperately needed.
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