December 11th marked a milestone in the fight against animal cruelty with the deployment of the first ever Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation Unit by the ASPCA. The 26-foot customized van is staffed by forensic veterinarian Dr. Melinda Merck, who provided expert testimony in the recent illegal dog fighting case against NFL quarterback Michael Vick. The purpose of the unit is to assist national and local law enforcement agencies in obtaining evidence that can help prosecute animal cruelty offenders.
The field of Animal CSI is a sign of the times. The growth of criminal forensics and the field of CSI has made it easier to prove the guilt or innocence of rapists, burglars and other criminals. Hopefully, Animal CSI will have the same impact on animal cruelty cases.
Now every little piece of evidence can be considered, including hairs, fibers and fluids found on an abused animal. And the integrity of evidence can be preserved by conducting investigations on site, rather than transporting the evidence to the ASPCA. Most important for the animals, the van is equipped to deliver immediate emergency medical care, which can add the flavor of drama to the unit’s operation.
So we have to wonder if the CBS episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation that aired on December 13th was a coincidence. This episode, entitled “Lying Down with Dogs,” delved into the brutal world of dog fighting and did indeed use the expert advice of ASPCA experts, including Dr. Merck, to get things right. Was this a test to evaluate viewer interest? Can we look forward to the debut of a new television program based on Animal CSI, perhaps in conjunction with Animal Cops on Animal Planet? Raise your hand if you enjoy watching animal abusers get what they got comin’.
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