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Investigations & Evidence

Learn the essential steps in conducting animal cruelty investigations, including evaluating situations, securing evidence, obtaining warrants, and preserving evidence for court. Ensure proper evidence collection through detailed medical exams and cruelty assessments.

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Investigations & Evidence

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  1. Investigations & Evidence Sr. Investigator D. Michielson 713-869-7722 x 176 dmichielson@houstonspca.org

  2. Building a Case

  3. Investigation • Go to the location of the report and make contact with the suspect/owner of the animals • Evaluate the situation based on what is required by law • Knowledge and intent must be proven • Give suspect notice with timeframe • Take pictures of scene and animals

  4. Investigation (continued) • Follow up on location to check for compliance • Take pictures of the scene and animals again • Evaluate the situation again • Give another notice or • Start taking necessary steps for seizure/impound

  5. Warrant Application • Law enforcement agency’s duty • The application is based on the facts of the investigation • No opinions should be incorporated into court documents unless they are classified as an expert by the court • Peaceful Entry vs. Forced Entry

  6. Impound & Collection of Evidence • Photograph / video the scene • Scene summary with property outline • Impound items of relevance pertaining to the case (if allowed by warrant) • Catalogue all evidence collected • Medical evidencecollection • Document vehicle, registration numbers, witnesses and suspect identities present that have not previously been documented • Animal housing

  7. Medical Evidence • One of the most important pieces of evidence for animal cruelty cases • As detailed as possible • Documented thoroughly

  8. Cruelty Exam • Basics/Vitals • Age, Weight, Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, CRT, BCS, and Pain Assessment • Detailed • EENT, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Integument, Musculoskeletal, Gastrointestinal, Neurological, Urinary, Reproductive, Lymphatic, and Endocrine • Tests Performed with Results • FIV, Feline Leukemia, Fecal, Heartworm, Skin Scrape • Vaccines Given/Basic Procedures Performed • Deworming, Parasite treatment/prevention, Vaccines • Bloodwork • With interpretation • Radiographs • Assessment • Overall • Treatment Plan • Medications, surgery, other treatment • Summary • Layman’s terms and easy-to-understand language

  9. Preservation of Evidence &Risk Management • Evidence log • Chain of custody • Limited access to evidence storage • Time management/efficiency

  10. Photos as Evidence

  11. Photos as Evidence

  12. Photos as Evidence

  13. Photos as Evidence

  14. Photos as Evidence

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