Soon the DNA collected from hair strands will identify more than just human culprits thanks to a new UF department
The veterinary forensics program, which was announced on Thursday, was created in order to investigate crimes made against animals as well as to prosecute those who do the crimes, according to a UF health news press release.
Dr. Bruce Goldberger, the director of the William R. Maples Center for Forensic Medicine at UF, said the university was able to pilot the new program through the $150,000 donation from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Goldberger said forensics specialists, along with a vet from the society, have worked on the development of veterinary forensics for the past year.
"We birthed a new field here at UF," he said.
Classes for both graduate and undergraduate students will be offered next spring.
Although certificate programs are now available to those already practicing veterinary medicine, students will eventually be able to obtain a degree in veterinary forensics. However, Goldberger said that this will take a few years to develop.
Goldberger said that the new expertise that UF can now offer will help lessen the country's problem with animal cruelty.
"There are thousands of cases across the country," he said. "We are developing the skills and tools to solve them."
