The Clinical Forensic Examination

​The clinical forensic examination is a methodical and detailed physical exam performed to thoroughly document the animal’s condition and search for case-specific evidence. Two unique components of the clinical forensic exam that differentiate it from routine physical exams are forensic photography and evidence collection.

Forensic photography is utilized to:

• Identify the victim
• Show the victim’s condition at the time of examination
• Document injuries and evidence that cannot be preserved or left unaltered
• Document injuries or conditions before and after medical intervention

The photographic documents are evidence for a court of law.

The basic clinical forensic exam steps are:

• Obtain case number and animal number from law enforcement or the investigator
• Write case-specific information on a dry erase board (photo board)
• Take photograph of the photo board with the animal
• Take overall photographs of the animal’s body
• Perform physical exam
• Take orientation and close-up photographs of any lesions or abnormalities
• Collect samples for diagnostic testing
• Collect and preserve any evidence on the body

Let’s walk through the steps in more detail…