IVFSA Webinar Series
Browse topics from our 2025 and 2026 webinar series where leading experts in veterinary forensics explore the critical intersections of animal cruelty, animal fighting, entomology, wildlife trafficking, and more. Whether you're new to the field or looking to sharpen your skills, these sessions are designed to inform and empower.
All webinars are available to IVFSA members indefinitely and free of charge.
The Basics of Animal Cruelty Forensic Investigations - Linda Fielder, CAWA, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Brad Nichols, Calgary Humane Society
Ever curious how a file proceeds from report to charge? Two North American field experts in the area of Animal Protection take you through an investigation from start to finish, highlighting forensic opportunities along the way. Original airdate 19 September 2024
The Silent Witness: Identifying and Documenting Signs of Animal Abuse in the Clinical Patient - Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, Forensic Veterinary Investigations
This one-hour introductory session is designed for veterinarians who wish to start enhancing their skills in recognizing and documenting suspected cases of animal cruelty. In this session, we will cover the essential role veterinarians play as advocates for animals experiencing non-accidental injury. Participants will gain an overview of how to conduct thorough clinical examinations and detailed documentation for suspected abuse cases. Original airdate 17 October 2024
Veterinary Forensic Pathology - Jason Brooks, VMD DACVP, Penn State University
This session will introduce attendees to concepts in general forensic pathology and why they are relevant to the investigation of animal crimes. Topics will include the basic procedure for performing a veterinary forensic necropsy, handling evidence in the clinic/laboratory, writing the autopsy report, and communicating results with relevant parties. Procedures will frequently refer to published standards, specifically ANSI/ASB Standard 170 - Standard for Veterinary Forensic Postmortem Examination. Original airdate 21 November 2024
Jurisprudence- Diane Balkin, J.D., Ret. Denver Chief Deputy District Attorney; Ret. Staff Attorney ALDF Criminal Justice Program This presentation will introduce the attendees to legal considerations in crimes against animals including an overview of animal cruelty laws and how to better navigate the criminal justice system. In this session, we will cover the importance of filing criminal charges, charging decisions and what to expect in and out of court including tips about testifying and potential situations to embrace or avoid. Original airdate 19 December 2024
Cockfighting Investigations- Janette Reever & Michelle Gonzalez-Monska
Explore the world of cockfighting investigations, including commonly found paraphernalia, medical indicators of fighting, and the forensic evidence used to support prosecutions. Original airdate 17 July 2025
Introduction to wildlife forensic entomology and the application of insect biology to animal welfare - David B. Rivers, Department of Forensic Science, Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
Forensic Entomology is a multifaceted discipline of forensic science that is focused on the application of insect biology toward legal matters. The primary focus of the discipline has historically been centered on death investigations, especially the application of insect development to estimation of portions of the postmortem interval (PMI) or timing of insect colonization (TOC). Various species of necrophagous flies are the ‘stars’ of forensic entomology, with several recognized for their keen sense of olfaction, resulting in detection and arrival on a corpse or carrion within minutes of death. The same volatile compounds of death serve as attractants, albeit far less concentrated, to flies in instances of lesions or wounds associated with neglect or abuse. Insects developing on a decedent can also serve as matrices for toxicological or DNA analysis, as well as in detection of gunshot or explosives residues. This presentation will introduce the basic principles of forensic entomology and discuss the major uses of entomological evidence toward medicolegal investigations. A specific focus will be on wildlife forensic entomology, emphasizing the types of cases relevant to veterinary and wildlife forensics and the insects that commonly serve as evidence in animal welfare cases. Original airdate 21 August 2025
Co-occurring cases of animal cruelty and human interpersonal violence - Robert Reisman, Forensic Veterinarian, ASPCA
The Link Between Animal Abuse and Human Interpersonal Violence: A Veterinary Perspective. In January of 2014 NYPD formally became the responding law enforcement agency for all complaints of animal cruelty in New York City. Because NYPD has always been the responding law enforcement agency for domestic violence in New York City adding the animal component to their work has resulted in the identification of many cases where there is both animal abuse and human interpersonal violence. This presentation will provide the attendee with medical and legal information about these types of cases and illustrate important points by looking at actual cases. Original airdate 18 September 2025
Practical Applications of Recent Advances for Documenting Suspected Cases of Organized Dogfighting - Rachel Touroo, Director of Veterinary Forensics, ASPCA
Documenting animals suspected of being involved in organized dogfighting can be a daunting and overwhelming request. This lecture will provide participants with an overview of organized dogfighting, discuss best practices for documenting animals as evidence in this particular case type, and highlight recent literature providing evidence-based patterns of injury to assist veterinarians in rendering an expert opinion as to the cause(s) of injuries that may be observed in these cases. Original airdate 16 October 2025
Current Trends in Wildlife Forensic Science- Barry Baker, Deputy Laboratory Director, National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory
Wildlife trafficking continues to be a major threat to many species throughout the world. While once rare, the use of forensic science to combat such illegal activity in now commonplace. The field continues to develop rapidly with the emergence of new technologies and data analysis capabilities. Examples of these current trends will be discussed, along with thoughts about the future of wildlife forensic science. Original airdate 20 November 2025