International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association

04/21/2026

Meet Hannah Laurence

As forensic necropsy cases rise, Colorado State University is at the forefront of supporting law enforcement investigations. Dr. Hannah Laurence discusses trends, case highlights, and CSU’s critical role in veterinary forensic work.

🎤 Speaker:
Hannah Laurence, Pathologist, Colorado State University

🗓 Session:
Expanding Veterinary Forensic Casework on Colorado’s Front Range: Trends and Case Highlights

📅 Date & Time:
May 13, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:00 PM

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Learn about trends in forensic necropsy submissions at CSU, with a focus on active law enforcement cases. Dr. Laurence will share case studies and show how CSU’s diagnostic lab supports investigations through evidence-based necropsy evaluation and clear communication with legal professionals.

🌍 Why It Matters:
This session emphasizes the important role veterinary forensic labs play in advancing law enforcement efforts, helping to ensure that forensic findings contribute to medico-legal decision-making.

📍 IVFSA Conference | May 12–15, 2026
Canadian Rocky Mountains

🔗 Register now:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/lIy18whdw6CQgvsW4z2S/

04/21/2026

Meet Madison Smalley

Drowning cases present unique challenges in veterinary forensics. Madison Smalley compares macroscopic and microscopic findings to uncover diagnostic patterns in this often-overlooked cause of death.

🎤 Speaker:
Madison Smalley, Veterinary Student, Mississippi State University

🗓 Session:
Macroscopic and Microscopic Comparison of Three Drowning Cases

📅 Date & Time:
May 13, 2026 | 2:30 – 3:00 PM

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Explore how postmortem examination findings, both macroscopic and microscopic, can help diagnose drowning in veterinary forensics. Madison will discuss patterns found in tissue samples from heart, lungs, brain, and other organs across three distinct drowning cases.

🌍 Why It Matters:
Drowning is a challenging diagnosis in veterinary forensics. This session aims to expand the tools veterinarians have for determining drowning as a cause of death, improving diagnostic accuracy and supporting better outcomes for investigations.

📍 IVFSA Conference | May 12–15, 2026
Canadian Rocky Mountains

🔗 Register now:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/lIy18whdw6CQgvsW4z2S/

04/21/2026

The 19th Annual IVFSA Conference is taking place in Banff, Alberta, May 12–15 🇨🇦✨

Get ready for four days of cutting-edge veterinary forensic science against the stunning backdrop of the Rockies, PLUS earn up to 22 hours of RACE-approved CE!

🔗 Don't miss out - register now: https://www.ivfsa.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=167153&module_id=661511

04/20/2026

Meet Ashley Kaswer

Chemical contamination in forensic necropsy is a hidden risk to data integrity. Ashley Kaswer explores how a simple change in cleaning protocols can reduce cross-contamination and improve forensic toxicology accuracy.

🎤 Speaker:
Ashley Kaswer, Doctoral Student, Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory

🗓 Session:
Reducing Forensic Necropsy Cross-Contamination via a One-Step Enhanced Surface Cleaning

📅 Date & Time:
May 14, 2026 | 9:45 – 10:15 AM

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Discover how a modified cleaning protocol using ethanol effectively reduces pentobarbital contamination on necropsy surfaces, ensuring more accurate forensic toxicology results. Learn about the risks of cross-contamination and the importance of maintaining data integrity in forensic investigations.

🌍 Why It Matters:
As forensic toxicology plays a critical role in death investigations, improving cleaning protocols to prevent chemical residue carryover ensures that analytical data is reliable, enhancing the accuracy of forensic conclusions.

📍 IVFSA Conference | May 12–15, 2026
Canadian Rocky Mountains

🔗 Register now:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/lIy18whdw6CQgvsW4z2S/

04/20/2026

Meet Sally Johnston

Turning philosophy into practice, Sally Johnston shows how embedding the Link and One Welfare models into shelter operations can lead to meaningful, compassionate change for both pets and their owners.

🎤 Speaker:
Sally Johnston, Director, Community Services, Calgary Humane Society

🗓 Session:
From Philosophy to Practice: Embedding the Link & One Welfare into Shelter Operations

📅 Date & Time:
May 14, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 PM

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Discover how Calgary Humane Society successfully embedded the Link and One Welfare models into their operations. Learn about the development of innovative community programs that address the interconnected needs of people, animals, and community systems, while balancing enforcement with compassionate care.

🌍 Why It Matters:
This session highlights the importance of collaboration between enforcement, community services, and external partners to reduce animal welfare issues upstream, prevent pet surrenders, and provide ongoing support for at-risk animals and their families.

📍 IVFSA Conference | May 12–15, 2026
Canadian Rocky Mountains

🔗 Register now:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/lIy18whdw6CQgvsW4z2S/

04/20/2026

This week is recognized as National Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week.

Research shows that domestic violence abusers often use companion animals as tools of coercion and control, creating additional barriers for survivors seeking safety. In this webinar, co-presented by the AVMA and ABA, you’ll gain practical guidance on identifying signs of domestic violence and animal abuse or neglect and understanding the link between them.

You’ll also learn how to access resources to support survivor decision-making and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to help protect both survivors and their pets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP08Tpa5FdY

04/17/2026

Meet Diane Balkin

Navigating the complexities of court testimony and ethical challenges is crucial for both forensic veterinarians and prosecutors in animal cruelty cases. Diane Balkin brings her extensive experience to guide professionals through these critical aspects of the legal process.

🎤 Speaker:
Diane Balkin, Consultant, Self-Employed

🗓 Sessions:

Court Testimony Workshop
May 12, 2026 | 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Gain practical experience in giving court testimony, from expert qualification to cross-testimony and courtroom etiquette. This hands-on session will help veterinarians and forensic professionals navigate the legal process with confidence.
Navigating Ethical Challenges for Prosecutors and Veterinarians
May 15, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Explore the ethical obligations of forensic veterinarians and prosecutors, covering topics such as cognitive bias, objectivity, and constitutional rights. This session will ensure that professionals maintain integrity and impartiality throughout legal proceedings.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
From effective testimony techniques to handling ethical dilemmas in legal work, these sessions provide invaluable guidance for veterinarians and prosecutors involved in animal cruelty investigations.

🌍 Why It Matters:
Both sessions underscore the importance of integrity, objectivity, and professionalism in the legal and veterinary fields to ensure justice and fair outcomes for animals.

📍 IVFSA Conference | May 12–15, 2026
Canadian Rocky Mountains

🔗 Register now:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/lIy18whdw6CQgvsW4z2S/

04/17/2026

Meet Andrea Allen

Forensic science and criminal justice collide in Andrea Allen’s work, where she brings expertise in both policing and forensic education to investigate and teach about crime scenes and wildlife crime.

🎤 Speaker:
Andrea Allen, Professor of Criminal Justice, Clayton State University

🗓 Session: TBD

📅 Date & Time: TBD

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Learn about Andrea Allen’s work in forensic science, including her multidisciplinary approach that bridges theory and practice in crime scene investigation, death investigation, wildlife CSI, and more.

🌍 Why It Matters:
Andrea is advancing forensic education and wildlife crime investigation, preparing the next generation of criminal justice professionals with cutting-edge, evidence-based skills.

📍 IVFSA Conference | May 12–15, 2026
Canadian Rocky Mountains

🔗 Register now:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/lIy18whdw6CQgvsW4z2S/

04/17/2026

🧬 Inside the ASPCA Lab: Solving Animal Cruelty Crimes 🐾

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the ASPCA's forensic lab, where science meets justice to solve animal cruelty cases. This article dives deep into the crucial role forensic scientists play in identifying animal abuse, providing invaluable evidence, and helping law enforcement crack down on cruelty. 🔬

From animal autopsies to the latest in forensic technology, discover how experts are working tirelessly to bring justice to those who can’t speak for themselves.

🔗 Read more about the incredible work being done at the ASPCA Lab: https://a-z-animals.com/articles/inside-the-aspca-lab-helping-solve-animal-cruelty-crimes/

Learn how the ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Science Center helps law enforcement investigate animal cruelty through forensic veterinary science.

04/17/2026

Meet Maggie Marshall

Veterinary expertise plays a pivotal role in farmed animal cruelty cases. Maggie Marshall explores how veterinarians and legal advocates collaborate to ensure justice for farmed animals.

🎤 Speaker:
Maggie Marshall, Criminal Justice Program Fellow, Animal Legal Defense Fund

🗓 Session:
Strengthening Farmed Animal Cases: The Power of Veterinary Expertise

📅 Date & Time:
May 15, 2026 | 11:15 – 11:45 AM

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Through a detailed case study involving a Texas cruelty case, learn how veterinarians serve as expert witnesses to demonstrate animal suffering and how expert testimony strengthens legal cases involving farmed animals.

🌍 Why It Matters:
By leveraging veterinary expertise, we can better challenge "generally accepted agricultural practices" and improve outcomes for farmed animals, ensuring stronger protections under the law.

📍 IVFSA Conference | May 12–15, 2026
Canadian Rocky Mountains

🔗 Register now:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/lIy18whdw6CQgvsW4z2S/

04/16/2026

Meet Alex Markham

Forensic necropsy plays a key role in solving cases with legal implications. Alex Markham discusses how Colorado State University’s diagnostic lab is supporting law enforcement investigations through veterinary forensics.

🎤 Speaker:
Alex Markham, Necropsy Lab Manager, Colorado State University

🗓 Session:
Expanding Veterinary Forensic Casework on Colorado’s Front Range: Trends and Case Highlights

📅 Date & Time:
May 13, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:00 PM

🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Explore trends in forensic necropsy submissions at CSU, highlighting cases associated with active law enforcement investigations. Learn how CSU’s necropsy lab plays a crucial role in evidence evaluation, documentation, and communication with investigators and legal professionals.

🌍 Why It Matters:
Veterinary forensic labs are essential partners in criminal investigations, ensuring that forensic findings are accurately conveyed and can stand up in legal settings.

📍 IVFSA Conference | May 12–15, 2026
Canadian Rocky Mountains

🔗 Register now:
https://whova.com/portal/registration/lIy18whdw6CQgvsW4z2S/