Consultation room to courtroom (LVS25)

The majority of vets are likely to be involved in a criminal case involving animal cruelty during their careers. However, few have an understanding of the integral part they play in securing a criminal conviction. In this lecture the speakers will take you on a journey through the process of reporting, intelligence gathering, warrant execution, forensic veterinary exam to statement writing, court attendance and sentencing. Understanding the process will leave you better equipped to aide the investigatory authority in securing convictions for the betterment of animal welfare.

• Understand the process of animal welfare investigations
• Learn the part a veterinary surgeon can have in these operations
• Optimise forensic approach
• Writing a statement basics
• Attending court as a witness; do's and don'ts

Chairperson

Caroline Gardner, BVSc CertSAS MRCVS, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery

Speakers

David Martin, BVSc FRCVS, Group Director of Animal Welfare - IVC Evidensia

Richard Sinclair, BVM&S MRCVS Cert AVP, UK Veterinary Welfare Advisor/ Veterinary Surgeon & General Practitioner - IVC Evidensia/Lamond Vets

Presented at LVS 2025

Thursday, 20 November 2025, 13:50-14:50, IVC Evidensia Theatre