Veterinary forensic necropsies: a look through an aspect of forensic traumatology

Forensic veterinary pathology is essential to identify the cause of death of animals with suspicion of abuse, neglect, exogenous intoxication, medical errors, if the lesions were accidental or ante-mortem or in cases where the animal’s identity is needed. It involves several areas that can be used to determine the cause of death in animals, such as traumatology, entomology and toxicology. This work aims to determine the main lesions found in judicial necropsies of animals from the metropolitan region of Belém, qualifying the most prevalent lesions according to the classification in forensic traumatology. The necropsy was performed according to the animal species and using the method of Ghon. The animals were grouping by specie, sex, race and age and it was made a segmentation by vulnerable energy. 33 judicial necropsies (9.06%) were performed between January 2018 and December 2019, including 22 canines (66.7%), seven felines (21.2%), two farm animals (6.1%) and two wild animals (6.1%). Regarding the sex of the animals, in general, 51.51% were males and 45.45% were females. Young dogs and cats represented the highest percentage of cases. Mixed breed dogs were the most prevalent, with 31.8%. In all species, the most prevalent energy was chemical energy, totalling 18 cases. Second, with six cases, mechanical trauma with only canines and felines, in which, only in three were evident the blunt injury. In only one case, the suspicion was of biodynamic energy, with suggestive findings. In conclusion, the forensic necropsy associated with the animal’s history is capable of providing relevant information which assists the pathologist in the search for injuries, its identification and interpretation.

Veterinary forensic necropsies: a look through an aspect of forensic traumatology

Forensic veterinary pathology is essential to identify the cause of death of animals with suspicion of abuse, neglect, exogenous intoxication, medical errors, if the lesions were accidental or ante-mortem or in cases where the animals identity is needed. It involves several areas that can be used to determine the cause of death in animals, such as traumatology, entomology and toxicology. This work aims to determine the main lesions found in judicial necropsies of animals from the metropolitan region of Belém, qualifying the most prevalent lesions according to the classification in forensic traumatology. The necropsy was performed according to the animal species and using the method of Ghon. The animals were grouping by specie, sex, race and age and it was made a segmentation by vulnerable energy. 33 judicial necropsies (9.06%) were performed between January 2018 and December 2019, including 22 canines (66.7%), seven felines (21.2%), two farm animals (6.1%) and two wild animals (6.1%). Regarding the sex of the animals, in general, 51.51% were males and 45.45% were females. Young dogs and cats represented the highest percentage of cases. Mixed breed dogs were the most prevalent, with 31.8%. In all species, the most prevalent energy was chemical energy, totalling 18 cases. Second, with six cases, mechanical trauma with only canines and felines, in which, only in three were evident the blunt injury. In only one case, the suspicion was of biodynamic energy, with suggestive findings. In conclusion, the forensic necropsy associated with the animals history is capable of providing relevant information which assists the pathologist in the search for injuries, its identification and interpretation.(AU)

Abundância e flutuação populacional do gênero Chrysomya (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) durante as fases de decomposição da carcaça de Sus scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758) na região Nordeste do Brasil / Abundance and population fluctuation of the genus Chrysomya (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) during the decomposition stages of the carcass of Sus scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Northeastern region of Brazil

As espécies do gênero Chrysomya (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Diptera: Calliphoridae, são conhecidas vulgarmente como moscas-varejeiras. Elas são importantes do ponto de vista epidemiológico, como vetores de microorganismos, porém desempenham papéis fundamentais para os processos ecológico e de importância forense. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a abundância e flutuação populacional do gênero Chrysomya durante as fases de decomposição da carcaça de Sus scrofa em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica no Extremo Sul da Bahia. Utilizou-se um pernil de porco com aproximadamente 3 kg alocado na armadilha do tipo Shannon modificada. Foram realizadas nove coletas, distribuídas em quatro fases (fresca, gasosa, coliquativa e esquelética) de decomposição da carcaça de outubro a novembro de 2015. Foram identificadas 1299 moscas pertencentes a quatro espécies da família Calliphoridae: Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) e Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775). O genêro Chrysomya foi mais abundante na fase gasosa. C. albiceps foi a espécie mais abundante, frequente e considerada dominante, apresentando correlação positiva com a quantidade de massa de putrilagem e negativa com presença de esqueleto na carcaça. As abundâncias das espécies C. megacephala e C. putoria não tiveram correlação com nenhum dos fatores analisados, com exceção da massa de putrilagem, que teve uma correlação positiva com C. putoria. Portanto, C. albiceps foi a espécie mais representativa e esteve presente ao longo de praticamente todo o processo de decomposição. De modo geral, o estágio de decomposição mais atrativo para as espécies deste gênero de Diptera foi o gasoso. Em contraposição, no estágio de esqueletização não houve a presença das mesmas...

The species of the genus Chrysomya (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Diptera: Calliphoridae are commonly known as blow flies. They are important from the epidemiological point of view, as vectors of microorganisms, but they play key roles in ecological and forensic processes. Thus, the objective was to know the abundance and population fluctuation of the genus Chrysomya during the stages of decomposition of the carcass of Sus scrofa in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in the Extreme South of Bahia. A pork shank of approximately 3 kg was allocated to a modified Shannon-type trap. Nine samples were collected, distributed in four phases (fresh, gaseous, coliquative and skeletal) of decay of the carcass from October to November of 2015. A total of 1299 flies were identified from four species of the Calliphoridae family: Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) e Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775). The genus Chrysomya was more abundant in the gas phase. C. albiceps was the most abundant species, frequent and considered dominant. It had a positive correlation with the amount of putrid mass, and a negative correlation with presence of skeleton in the carcass. C. megacephala and C. putoria had no correlation with any of the factors analyzed, except for the amount of putrid mass, that had a positive correlation with this last species. Therefore, C. albiceps was the most representative species and was present throughout almost the entire decomposition process. It also points out that the gaseous was the most attractive decomposition stage for the species of this genus of Diptera. In contrast, in the skeletonization stage these species were absent. In addition, it was evidenced that the internal temperature and the internal humidity had little influence to attract the Chrysomia, being the putrid mass an important factor to attract two of the three species of the genus analyzed in this work.

Abundância e flutuação populacional do gênero Chrysomya (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) durante as fases de decomposição da carcaça de Sus scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758) na região Nordeste do Brasil / Abundance and population fluctuation of the genus Chrysomya (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) during the decomposition stages of the carcass of Sus scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Northeastern region of Brazil

As espécies do gênero Chrysomya (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Diptera: Calliphoridae, são conhecidas vulgarmente como moscas-varejeiras. Elas são importantes do ponto de vista epidemiológico, como vetores de microorganismos, porém desempenham papéis fundamentais para os processos ecológico e de importância forense. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a abundância e flutuação populacional do gênero Chrysomya durante as fases de decomposição da carcaça de Sus scrofa em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica no Extremo Sul da Bahia. Utilizou-se um pernil de porco com aproximadamente 3 kg alocado na armadilha do tipo Shannon modificada. Foram realizadas nove coletas, distribuídas em quatro fases (fresca, gasosa, coliquativa e esquelética) de decomposição da carcaça de outubro a novembro de 2015. Foram identificadas 1299 moscas pertencentes a quatro espécies da família Calliphoridae: Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) e Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775). O genêro Chrysomya foi mais abundante na fase gasosa. C. albiceps foi a espécie mais abundante, frequente e considerada dominante, apresentando correlação positiva com a quantidade de massa de putrilagem e negativa com presença de esqueleto na carcaça. As abundâncias das espécies C. megacephala e C. putoria não tiveram correlação com nenhum dos fatores analisados, com exceção da massa de putrilagem, que teve uma correlação positiva com C. putoria. Portanto, C. albiceps foi a espécie mais representativa e esteve presente ao longo de praticamente todo o processo de decomposição. De modo geral, o estágio de decomposição mais atrativo para as espécies deste gênero de Diptera foi o gasoso. Em contraposição, no estágio de esqueletização não houve a presença das mesmas...(AU)

The species of the genus Chrysomya (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Diptera: Calliphoridae are commonly known as blow flies. They are important from the epidemiological point of view, as vectors of microorganisms, but they play key roles in ecological and forensic processes. Thus, the objective was to know the abundance and population fluctuation of the genus Chrysomya during the stages of decomposition of the carcass of Sus scrofa in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in the Extreme South of Bahia. A pork shank of approximately 3 kg was allocated to a modified Shannon-type trap. Nine samples were collected, distributed in four phases (fresh, gaseous, coliquative and skeletal) of decay of the carcass from October to November of 2015. A total of 1299 flies were identified from four species of the Calliphoridae family: Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) e Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775). The genus Chrysomya was more abundant in the gas phase. C. albiceps was the most abundant species, frequent and considered dominant. It had a positive correlation with the amount of putrid mass, and a negative correlation with presence of skeleton in the carcass. C. megacephala and C. putoria had no correlation with any of the factors analyzed, except for the amount of putrid mass, that had a positive correlation with this last species. Therefore, C. albiceps was the most representative species and was present throughout almost the entire decomposition process. It also points out that the gaseous was the most attractive decomposition stage for the species of this genus of Diptera. In contrast, in the skeletonization stage these species were absent. In addition, it was evidenced that the internal temperature and the internal humidity had little influence to attract the Chrysomia, being the putrid mass an important factor to attract two of the three species of the genus analyzed in this work.(AU)

Standard operational procedure: crime scene evaluation related to animal cruelty in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Procedimento operacional padrão: avaliação da cena do crime relacionada à crueldade animal no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The Brazilian legislation on crimes against fauna defines as a crime: “to commit acts of abuse, mistreatment, injury or mutilation of wild, domestic or domesticated, native or exotic animals” (BRASIL, 1998). In recent years, the number of crimes against fauna has gained great notoriety, and due to the high demand for this type of exam, it is crucial to improve the experts’ reports on such offenses. Therefore, the State has the responsibility of correctly identifying and preserving evidences related to animal abuse (YOSHIDA, 2013). A satisfactory collection of vestiges is indispensable, since “findings are pieces of a puzzle that together tell a story” (MERCK, 2007). Currently in the state of Rio de Janeiro most of the examinations of crime scenes involving animals are carried out by forensic experts who are not veterinarians, due to the reduced number of these professionals in Scientific Police. In this regard, a standard operating procedure is essential for performing crime scene investigations involving animals because well collected evidence and proper crime scene analyses are fundamental for helping crime solution. Criminal expertise involves technical--scientific knowledge, intended to clarify traces and interpret facts in the face of criminal or suspicious events (TREMORI; SOUZA, 2013). Thus, this work aims to implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) used as an instrument to produce evidences, which will guide law enforcement.

Standard operational procedure: crime scene evaluation related to animal cruelty in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Procedimento operacional padrão: avaliação da cena do crime relacionada à crueldade animal no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The Brazilian legislation on crimes against fauna defines as a crime: “to commit acts of abuse, mistreatment, injury or mutilation of wild, domestic or domesticated, native or exotic animals” (BRASIL, 1998). In recent years, the number of crimes against fauna has gained great notoriety, and due to the high demand for this type of exam, it is crucial to improve the experts reports on such offenses. Therefore, the State has the responsibility of correctly identifying and preserving evidences related to animal abuse (YOSHIDA, 2013). A satisfactory collection of vestiges is indispensable, since “findings are pieces of a puzzle that together tell a story” (MERCK, 2007). Currently in the state of Rio de Janeiro most of the examinations of crime scenes involving animals are carried out by forensic experts who are not veterinarians, due to the reduced number of these professionals in Scientific Police. In this regard, a standard operating procedure is essential for performing crime scene investigations involving animals because well collected evidence and proper crime scene analyses are fundamental for helping crime solution. Criminal expertise involves technical--scientific knowledge, intended to clarify traces and interpret facts in the face of criminal or suspicious events (TREMORI; SOUZA, 2013). Thus, this work aims to implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) used as an instrument to produce evidences, which will guide law enforcement.(AU)

The legality of veterinary expert reports / A legalidade do parecer médico-veterinário

The demand for lawsuits and ethical proceedings against veterinarians, seeking compensation as well as technical reports, has been significantly increasing. What is the legal value of a technical opinion when the action has not yet been initialized in court? The Brazilian New Code of Veterinary Medical Ethics, which came into force on September 9, 2017, does not mention the use of this instrument by veterinarians, with the purpose of legally corroborating them. The New Code of Civil Procedure (Brazilian Federal Law) of 2015, which repealed the previous text, maintained the legal provision for the use of the technical opinion of a professional, contracted or not as a technical assistant by one of the parties, to endorse or disagree with the experts report, or only to substantiate the parties claims in a judicial proceeding. Therefore, this essay suggests a reflection with the aim of elucidating doubts about the preparation of a document that may or should have a legal status when an animals owner prosecutes a veterinarian, civilly or ethically.

O aumento do número de ações na justiça e processos éticos contra médicos-veterinários e a busca não só por reparações indenizatórias, mas também laudos técnicos tem tido significativa demanda. Qual é o valor legal de um parecer técnico quando a ação ainda não foi impetrada na justiça por quem tem o objetivo de fazê-la, ou seja, quando há incerteza se a ação será de fato levada adiante? O novo Código de Ética Médica-veterinária Brasileiro, que entrou em vigor no dia 9 de setembro de 2017, não cita o uso desse instrumento por parte do médico-veterinário, com o intuito de corroborá-lo judicialmente. Já o novo Código de Processo Civil (lei federal brasileira), de 2015, que revogou o texto anterior, manteve a previsão legal do uso do parecer técnico de profissional, contratado ou não, como assistente técnico por uma das partes para endossar ou discordar do laudo de um perito ou apenas fundamentar as alegações das partes num processo judicial. Em vista disso, este ensaio promove reflexão e elucida a dúvida que paira sobre os profissionais que são requisitados para a elaboração de um documento que poderá ou deverá ter valor jurídico quando o proprietário de um animal pensa em acionar um médico-veterinário, seja civil ou eticamente.

The legality of veterinary expert reports / A legalidade do parecer médico-veterinário

The demand for lawsuits and ethical proceedings against veterinarians, seeking compensation as well as technical reports, has been significantly increasing. What is the legal value of a technical opinion when the action has not yet been initialized in court? The Brazilian New Code of Veterinary Medical Ethics, which came into force on September 9, 2017, does not mention the use of this instrument by veterinarians, with the purpose of legally corroborating them. The New Code of Civil Procedure (Brazilian Federal Law) of 2015, which repealed the previous text, maintained the legal provision for the use of the technical opinion of a professional, contracted or not as a technical assistant by one of the parties, to endorse or disagree with the experts report, or only to substantiate the parties claims in a judicial proceeding. Therefore, this essay suggests a reflection with the aim of elucidating doubts about the preparation of a document that may or should have a legal status when an animals owner prosecutes a veterinarian, civilly or ethically.(AU)

O aumento do número de ações na justiça e processos éticos contra médicos-veterinários e a busca não só por reparações indenizatórias, mas também laudos técnicos tem tido significativa demanda. Qual é o valor legal de um parecer técnico quando a ação ainda não foi impetrada na justiça por quem tem o objetivo de fazê-la, ou seja, quando há incerteza se a ação será de fato levada adiante? O novo Código de Ética Médica-veterinária Brasileiro, que entrou em vigor no dia 9 de setembro de 2017, não cita o uso desse instrumento por parte do médico-veterinário, com o intuito de corroborá-lo judicialmente. Já o novo Código de Processo Civil (lei federal brasileira), de 2015, que revogou o texto anterior, manteve a previsão legal do uso do parecer técnico de profissional, contratado ou não, como assistente técnico por uma das partes para endossar ou discordar do laudo de um perito ou apenas fundamentar as alegações das partes num processo judicial. Em vista disso, este ensaio promove reflexão e elucida a dúvida que paira sobre os profissionais que são requisitados para a elaboração de um documento que poderá ou deverá ter valor jurídico quando o proprietário de um animal pensa em acionar um médico-veterinário, seja civil ou eticamente.(AU)

Chave de identificação e diagnose dos Histeridae (Insecta: Coleoptera) de interesse forense do Brasil / Identification key and diagnosis of forensic interest Histeridae (Insecta: Coleoptera) from Brazil

The histerid species are mostly predator and can be found in different environments. Among the groups associated with carcasses, some are reported as relevant in medicolegal entomology. However, the Histeridae taxonomic data is poorly known, especially in the Neotropics. The aim were to elaborate an identification key and provide diagnosis of the Histeridae species with forensic interest from Brazil. Also, the distribution and biological data of the species were added. The following species are recorded in Brazil as important for forensic entomology: Aeletes nicolasi Leivas, 2012;Euspilotus azureus (Sahlberg, 1823); Hister cavifrons Marseul, 1854; Omalodes bifoveolatusMarseul, 1853; Omalodes foveola Erichson, 1834;Omalodes lucidus Erichson, 1834, Operclipygus subterraneus Caterino & Tishechkin, 2013; Phelister sanguinipennis Marseul, 1853; and Scapomegas auritus Marseul, 1855. This is the first work for forensic studies with Histeridae from Brazil and it can be used at applied forensic entomology.(AU)

As espécies de Histeridae são quase que exclusivamente predadoras e podem ser encontradas em uma grande diversidade de ambientes. Dentre os grupos associados a carcaças, alguns são citados como relevantes na entomologia forense médico-legal. Entretanto, há pouca informação taxonômica para a família, principalmente na Região Neotropical. Desta forma, os objetivos do trabalho foram elaborar uma chave de identificação e caracterizar as espécies de Histeridae de interesse médico-legal no Brasil. Além disso, são apresentadas informações de distribuição geográfica e aspectos biológicos das espécies. As seguintes espécies são registradas como relevantes na entomologia forense no Brasil: Aeletes nicolasi Leivas, 2012; Euspilotus azureus (Sahlberg, 1823); Hister cavifronsMarseul, 1854; Omalodes bifoveolatus Marseul, 1853;Omalodes foveola Erichson, 1834; Omalodes lucidus Erichson, 1834, Operclipygus subterraneusCaterino & Tishechkin, 2013; Phelister sanguinipennisMarseul, 1853; e Scapomegas auritus Marseul, 1855. Esta contribuição representa a primeira ferramenta para uma melhor identificação dos Histeridae associados a carcaças no Brasil e pode servir como referência e aplicação na entomologia médico-legal.(AU)

Chave de identificação e diagnose dos Histeridae (Insecta: Coleoptera) de interesse forense do Brasil / Identification key and diagnosis of forensic interest Histeridae (Insecta: Coleoptera) from Brazil

The histerid species are mostly predator and can be found in different environments. Among the groups associated with carcasses, some are reported as relevant in medicolegal entomology. However, the Histeridae taxonomic data is poorly known, especially in the Neotropics. The aim were to elaborate an identification key and provide diagnosis of the Histeridae species with forensic interest from Brazil. Also, the distribution and biological data of the species were added. The following species are recorded in Brazil as important for forensic entomology: Aeletes nicolasi Leivas, 2012;Euspilotus azureus (Sahlberg, 1823); Hister cavifrons Marseul, 1854; Omalodes bifoveolatusMarseul, 1853; Omalodes foveola Erichson, 1834;Omalodes lucidus Erichson, 1834, Operclipygus subterraneus Caterino & Tishechkin, 2013; Phelister sanguinipennis Marseul, 1853; and Scapomegas auritus Marseul, 1855. This is the first work for forensic studies with Histeridae from Brazil and it can be used at applied forensic entomology.

As espécies de Histeridae são quase que exclusivamente predadoras e podem ser encontradas em uma grande diversidade de ambientes. Dentre os grupos associados a carcaças, alguns são citados como relevantes na entomologia forense médico-legal. Entretanto, há pouca informação taxonômica para a família, principalmente na Região Neotropical. Desta forma, os objetivos do trabalho foram elaborar uma chave de identificação e caracterizar as espécies de Histeridae de interesse médico-legal no Brasil. Além disso, são apresentadas informações de distribuição geográfica e aspectos biológicos das espécies. As seguintes espécies são registradas como relevantes na entomologia forense no Brasil: Aeletes nicolasi Leivas, 2012; Euspilotus azureus (Sahlberg, 1823); Hister cavifronsMarseul, 1854; Omalodes bifoveolatus Marseul, 1853;Omalodes foveola Erichson, 1834; Omalodes lucidus Erichson, 1834, Operclipygus subterraneusCaterino & Tishechkin, 2013; Phelister sanguinipennisMarseul, 1853; e Scapomegas auritus Marseul, 1855. Esta contribuição representa a primeira ferramenta para uma melhor identificação dos Histeridae associados a carcaças no Brasil e pode servir como referência e aplicação na entomologia médico-legal.

Exame do corpo de delito na Perícia Veterinária (ensaio) / The examination of the corpus delicti in veterinary expertise

Casos envolvendo crueldade com animais acontecem com frequência e o médico-veterinário é o profissional mais competente, para realizar as respectivas perícias. A Medicina Veterinária Legal está em constante crescimento e o seu objetivo é proteger os animais domésticos e selvagens, com base na legislação e levando em consideração o ser humano. A perícia sempre envolveu conhecimentos técnico-científicos destinados à esclarecer os vestígios e interpretar fatos perante acontecimentos criminosos ou suspeitos. O exame do corpo de delito é a principal forma para a avaliação de um local de crime, com o emprego de uma análise minuciosa que resulte em laudos destinados ao auxílio e à condução de um processo judicial.

Situations of cruelty to animals occur frequently and the veterinarian is the Professional more competent to perform expertise in these cases. The Forensic Veterinary Medicine is growing, and its goal is to protect wild and domestic animals, based on the law and taking into account the human. The veterinary medical expertise has always involved scientific and technical knowledge in order to clarify the facts and interpret trace events before criminals or suspects. The examination of the corpus delicti is the main way to evaluate a crime scene, through analysis, resulting in reports that assist the development of judicial procedures.

Exame do corpo de delito na Perícia Veterinária (ensaio) / The examination of the corpus delicti in veterinary expertise

Casos envolvendo crueldade com animais acontecem com frequência e o médico-veterinário é o profissional mais competente, para realizar as respectivas perícias. A Medicina Veterinária Legal está em constante crescimento e o seu objetivo é proteger os animais domésticos e selvagens, com base na legislação e levando em consideração o ser humano. A perícia sempre envolveu conhecimentos técnico-científicos destinados à esclarecer os vestígios e interpretar fatos perante acontecimentos criminosos ou suspeitos. O exame do corpo de delito é a principal forma para a avaliação de um local de crime, com o emprego de uma análise minuciosa que resulte em laudos destinados ao auxílio e à condução de um processo judicial.(AU)

Situations of cruelty to animals occur frequently and the veterinarian is the Professional more competent to perform expertise in these cases. The Forensic Veterinary Medicine is growing, and its goal is to protect wild and domestic animals, based on the law and taking into account the human. The veterinary medical expertise has always involved scientific and technical knowledge in order to clarify the facts and interpret trace events before criminals or suspects. The examination of the corpus delicti is the main way to evaluate a crime scene, through analysis, resulting in reports that assist the development of judicial procedures.(AU)

Análise retrospectiva de casos de maus tratos contra cães e gatos na cidade de São Paulo / Retrospective analyzes of cruelty toward dogs and cats in the city of São Paulo

A Medicina Veterinária Legal é uma área em crescimento devido à demanda da sociedade na coibição dos crimes contra a fauna. No Brasil, pouco se conhece acerca da magnitude deste problema. Assim, o presente estudo propôs-se a realizar um levantamento de casos em dois órgãos distintos que lidam com esta modalidade de crime em sua rotina de atendimento: o Serviço de Necropsia do Departamento de Patologia da FMVZ/USP e o Núcleo de Análise Instrumental do Instituto de Criminalística de São Paulo (NAI/IC). Este levantamento possibilitou a visualização do perfil quantitativo e qualitativo dos casos atendidos de maus tratos praticados contra cães e gatos, no período de 2003 a 2007. Constatou-se inicialmente que o número absoluto de casos de maus tratos em cães é maior que em gatos, porém, o confronto desses números absolutos com o tamanho da respectiva população atendida pelo Serviço de Necropsia da FMVZ/USP, revelou que os gatos são animais de eleição para as práticas de maus tratos. Constatou-se ainda que o sexo do animal não é fator relevante nessa eleição, mas a idade sim. Isso pode ser devido ao fato de animais de tenra idade serem mais indefesos que animais adultos. O tipo de maus tratos mais comumente praticado, tanto em cães como em gatos, é a intoxicação intencional e, os agentes tóxicos mais utilizados nestes casos são os carbamatos. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a ampla utilização dos carbamatos decorre da facilidade com que podem ser adquiridos no comércio e fornecidos aos animais. (AU)

The area of Legal Veterinary Medicine is growing due to the demand of society in restraining crimes against wildlife. In Brazil, little is known about the magnitude of this problem. Thus, this study set out to do a survey of cases in two separate bodies dealing with this type of crime in their routine care: the Autopsy Service, Department of Pathology FMVZ / USP and the Instrumental Analysis Center of the Institute Forensic São Paulo (NAI / IC). This survey enabled the visualization of a qualitative and quantitative profile of the seen cases of abuse committed against dogs and cats in the period 2003 to 2007. The conclusions are: cats are more affected than dogs by the practice of maltreatment; there is no difference regarding sex, but age is a determinant factor, therefore young animals are predominantly maltreated; and the agents most commonly used to cause intentional poisoning are carbamates. (AU)