ASPCA Co-Hosts Fourth Annual Veterinary Forensics Conference

NEW YORK--The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) will co-host the fourth annual Veterinary Forensic Sciences Conference, to be held from May 2 - 4 in Orlando, Fla., in conjunction with the University of Florida's William R. Maples Center for Forensic Medicine and the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association (IVFSA).

An international panel of forensic science experts will present at the conference, including professionals from Brazil and Australia. The symposium will open with a keynote speech from Dr. Douglas Ubelaker, president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, on the interface between forensic anthropology and veterinary forensic sciences. Dr. Ubelaker is a curator and senior scientist at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.

"We look forward to co-hosting this event each year and exchanging information with veterinary professionals from around the world," said Dr. Randall Lockwood, senior vice president of ASPCA Forensic Sciences and Anti-cruelty Projects. "The ASPCA is unique in that we offer staff with specialized knowledge in using veterinary forensics to identify animal cruelty, which makes us an immense resource in the continuing education of members of the law enforcement, science, legal and veterinary healthcare professions. The ASPCA is deeply committed to advancing capabilities in this emerging field to aid in the fight against animal abuse and neglect."

Topics will include veterinary forensic pathology, crime scene processing, investigation techniques, forensic evidence analysis and expert witness testimony. Over 100 veterinary, law enforcement, forensic scientists and legal professionals are expected to attend the conference.

The conference will take place over three days at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Fla., and will include the following topics:

• From 9-9:50 a.m.: Dr. Douglas Ubelaker will deliver the keynote address on the use of veterinary forensic science to study forensic anthropology.

On May 3, 2011:

• From 8-9:50 a.m.: Dr. Paulo Cesar Maiorka, Department of Pathology FMVZ, University of São Paulo, will present on the recent advancements in veterinary forensic sciences in Brazil.

On May 4, 2011:

• From 10-10:50 a.m.: Dr. Randall Lockwood will present alongside Mike Duffey, animal cruelty investigator with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, on occult animal crimes titled "Truth or Fiction: Ritual or Not?"

For more information, please visit: www.ivfsa.org. Members of the media interested in obtaining press credentials for the symposium should contact Dr. Jason H. Byrd at the University of Florida at 352-294-4091 or [email protected].