Whether alive, in need of treatment or euthanasia, and even when they have passed away, your clinical expertise and forensic awareness will be required to thoroughly and impartially assess all animals of concern. You will follow a real welfare investigation as you progress through the course, creating your own forensic casefile, to support the accurate recording of your observations.
This course also explores the difficult subject of non-accidental injury to animals, whilst also providing a support system for referrals and confidentiality breaches in the most challenging of cases. In addition, you will tackle issues regarding the determination of suffering, owner compliance and dissent, and the seizure and certification of animal abuse investigations. You will also have the opportunity to ask your own questions in a secure discussion forum, or seek advice on confidential topics via private messaging.
With insight and guidance from a range of forensic specialists, you will learn how to gather and preserve appropriate forensic samples, and how to document contemporaneous actions in note, diagram and photographic forms. By utilising specific templates, you will be able to demonstrate a secure chain of custody at all times – whether at the Practice, on a home visit, or at the crime scene. Designed for use in busy veterinary practices, this course provides downloadable Court-compliant forms, allowing you to manage all aspects of an investigation whilst maintaining the utmost care and consideration to the animals.
The course can be undertaken at your own pace, over a 2-month period. Upon completion, you will be awarded a certificate of CPD hours, and be well-prepared for this fascinating, but critical aspect of veterinary medicine.
Please email us at training@forensic-access-group.co.uk for further information.
The course will cover the following within its contents:
- Explore the role of veterinary professionals by studying a range of real animal welfare investigations.
- Create a forensic casefile as you progress through a welfare case, which includes the clinical examination of an animal, their surrounding and the recovery of appropriate evidential material.
- Use standardised forensic processes and documentation methods to record clinical observations and expert opinions.
- Learn how to demonstrate a secure chain of custody at all times, whether handling living or dead animals.
- Receive practical advice regarding basic forensic photography and how to store digital files.
- Review specific sections of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, including how to define suffering, the appropriate use of Veterinary Certificates under the act, and the seizure and possession of animals.
- Appraise the contribution that traditional forensic specialists can bring to welfare investigations, including how to recognise, recover, and prepare various types of evidential material for analysis.
- Evaluate the similarities and differences between veterinary and forensic roles and responsibilities.
- Examine the links between animal abuse and human abuse.
- Study at an in-Practice case of non-accidental injury, with advice on how to tackle issues of client confidentiality and reporting your concerns.
- Gain practical experience, using your newly-acquired skills, to approach a variety of challenging animal welfare scenarios.
Forensic Access has been a market leader for 35 years, providing bespoke training both in the UK and abroad.
This is a 16-hour CPD course.