Veterinary Forensic Pathology II

VME 6576

CREDITS: 3

This course is designed to introduce students to veterinary forensic pathology, an emerging discipline in veterinary forensic science. Upon completion of this course the student should be able to define, describe and accurately detect postmortem changes, mechanisms and lesions of trauma, neglect and perianesthetic death in animals. Although the focus is on the postmortem lesions of trauma and neglect, many of the patterns and principles discussed are applicable to live animals.

This course is comprised of 15 modules: .each module contains lessons, textbook and journal readings, discussions and assignments.

Those taking this course must be knowledgeable of material taught in prerequisite VME 6577, Veterinary Forensic Pathology I including: how to perform a forensic postmortem, write a forensic postmortem report, describe the basic diagnostic process and reactions to cellular injury, describe lesions, understand and explain hemostasis, edema, wound healing and understand and describe color changes in tissues. Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology are required.

Topics:

Module Topic
Module 1 Postmortem Changes, Interval and Postmortem Artifacts
Module 2 Pathology of Trauma and Blunt Force Trauma I
Module 3 Blunt Force Trauma II – Fractures & Traumatic Brain Injury
Module 4 Sharp Force Trauma
Module 5 Projectile Injuries
Module 6 Asphyxia
Module 7 Drowning & Bodies Recovered From Water
Module 8 Mid-term Examination
Module 9 Thermal, Electrical and Caustic Injuries
Module 10 Environmental Causes of Injuries and Death
Module 11 Neglect & Starvation
Module 12 Animal Sexual Abuse
Module 13 Animal Conspecific Fighting & Bite Wounds
Module 14 Sudden Death & Peri-anesthetic Death
Module 15 Final Examination