CSI: Pets

Most people have seen at least one episode of what has become one of the most popular shows on TV. "CSI", which has branched into other series such as "CSI: Miami," follows a group of crime scene investigators as they pick apart every gruesome detail surrounding a crime.

But what does this have to do with pets? Now cats and dogs have their own crime scene investigator.

According to the article published by CNN.com, Melinda Merck is the country's only animal CSI specialist. She started out as a veterinarian but then decided to focus on investigating crime scenes involving animals. While most crime scene investigators could make assumptions about the death of an animal at the scene of a crime, Merck knows how animals behave. This knowledge gives her more insight into what might have happened.

She investigates about two cases a month. Since last year, she has been working on the case involving Michael Vick and his involvement in dog fighting. Her job has been to exhume and examine the bodies of 12 dogs involved with the case.

Now, this new field of veterinary forensics has opened up many opportunities for people interested in helping animals. While Merck is the only person practicing veterinary forensics right now, more people will probably join the field soon as this sort of work is needed in animal cruelty cases.

I never considered that examining a crime scene involving animals could be so different from one involving only humans. However, after reading about this new profession, I am happy to know that it is an expanding field so animals can have justice as well.

To read more about Merck or veterinary forensics, you can visit this site.

(Picture courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica)