10th Annual Veterinary Forensic Sciences Conference Explores Innovative Partnerships and New Advances May 16-18

NEW YORK— Today the IVFSA (International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association) in collaboration with the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) announces the agenda for the 10th Annual Veterinary Forensic Sciences Conference to be held May 16-18, 2017 at the Westin Times Square in New York City. The conference will gather experts in veterinary medicine, law enforcement, criminal prosecution, forensic science, animal welfare and human social services to explore multi-disciplinary approaches to save more victims of animal cruelty and ensure successful investigations and prosecutions.

The three-day event will feature learnings from the innovative partnership between the ASPCA, NYPD, and NYC District Attorney’s Offices as well as recent advances and new techniques in veterinary forensics and animal law enforcement. Attendees will also learn from real-life case studies that demonstrate the impact of forensic sciences on cruelty case outcomes.

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill will deliver the keynote address. Speakers from the NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad, ASPCA, Cornell University, University of Florida, New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Hospital, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts, Pennsylvania State University, NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Animal Medical Center of NYC will also present throughout the conference. View the full agenda here.

“It is an exciting time to work in the expanding field of veterinary forensic sciences,” said Dr. Rachel Touroo, IVFSA President and ASPCA Director of Veterinary Forensics. “This year’s agenda clearly illustrates how much we’ve achieved through collaboration over the last decade. Our lineup of speakers and topics represents the most contemporary research and thinking on issues central to the practice and how to move it forward through the coming years.”   

The conference has been approved for 19 continuing education credits for veterinarians and veterinary technicians by the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) and the New York State Education Department.  Continuing education credit approval is pending with Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) and Continuing Legal Education. In addition to educational presentations and discussions, the conference also offers several opportunities for professional networking, including a special opening-night soiree and a “bring your own slides” meet-up.

Registration is now open with early bird discounts ending March 15, 2017. Visit the registration website for more details on fees and accommodations. Download a copy of this year’s official conference poster here to spread the word.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Mahathi Gerts at 646-291-4583 or [email protected] for details.

To request media passes to the conference and/or interviews with IVFSA leaders or speakers, please contact Natasha Whitling, 212-876-7700, ext. 4612 or [email protected]   

About the IVFSA

Founded in 2008, the purpose of the IVFSA is to:

• Promote the health, welfare and safety of animals through the fostering of current, new, and novel techniques of forensic science and crime scene processing to circumstances of animal abuse, neglect, cruelty, fighting, and death.
• Apply forensic science techniques to legal investigations involving animals as the victim of criminal offenses and civil disputes.
• Educate the animal welfare community, law enforcement, crime scene analysts, forensic scientists, veterinarians, attorneys, judges, and pathologists on the application of forensic science techniques and crime scene processing methods to cases of animal abuse, neglect, cruelty, fighting, and death.
• Inform the law enforcement and legal community on the various scientific disciplines that can be utilized for the interpretation of collected physical evidence related to any crime scene where an animal’s presence or absence is relevant.
• Advance and foster excellence in the veterinary forensic sciences.