동물법의학 관점에 근거한 동물보호법 위반 수사

Abstract

In this study, the authors report the case of investigation into animal death case handled by Seoul ‘A’ Police Station in 2021. The death of a wild cat found on the plumbing of an underground parking lot in an apartment in downtown Seoul was concluded as a death due to infection due to parvo virus after onsite investigation, veterinary examination findings, relevant person statement investigation, cat autopsy, drug analysis, on-site CCTV confirmation, DNA collection analysis and bloodstain pattern analysis etc. As cases of animal deaths due to animal cruelty are not uncommonly reported and the number of domestic companion animal households increases every year, and in case of death of an animal due to abuse it is severely punished by imprisonment for not more than 3 years. It is necessary to newly recognize the investigation of animal deaths in a more scientific direction. Animal death and death cases also need on-site investigations such as on-site forensics, forensic veterinary external examination of the corpse and autopsy, and forensic science appraisal just like general human death cases. Based on forensic veterinary medicine and forensic science evidence, the scene should be reproduced and reconstructed to clarify the case of animal deaths.