UF Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory

Forensic Fact Wednesday. Did you know that in Florida it is illegal to filet a fish while still on open water? Wildlife officers must be able to identify the whole fish to determine if protected or regulated species are being possessed legally. Even if someone attempts to hide the species by fileting it, forensic DNA analysis can still be used to identify the fish species from the meat sample.

Recently, Florida Governor Desantis signed two new bills into law which will become active later this year. In a press release, Governor Desantis said “Florida has become a leader in protecting animals and holding accountable those who harm them. Today, we built on that record with new legislation to strengthen penalties for animal abuse and improve consumer protections for pet owners.”

First there is HB 559 which will:

• Create new felony offenses for adults who cause or encourage minors to participate in aggravated animal cruelty, animal fighting, or sexual abuse involving animals.

• Require juveniles convicted of animal cruelty offenses to undergo psychological evaluation and treatment if necessary.

Next is SB 1004 which strengthens consumer protections involving pet sales by:

• Requiring pet dealers to disclose financing terms before a sale is finalized.

• Requiring pet dealers to provide veterinary medical records documenting examinations, medications, and treatments provided to the animal.

• Make violations enforceable under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Let’s see what Florida can do next to continue to protect animal victims of abuse!

https://floridianpress.com/2026/05/desantis-signs-legislation-cracking-down-on-animal-cruelty-protections-for-pet-buyers/

DeSantis Signs Legislation Cracking Down on Animal Cruelty, Protections for Pet Buyers Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills aimed at strengthening animal welfare protections and consumer safeguards for pet adoptions during a pres

Everyone knows what a tripod is, but not everyone remembers to bring one to an animal crime scene. A tripod is one of the most valuable photography tools because it stabilizes the camera, helps to reduce motion blur, and allows for the taking of high-quality photographs, especially in low-light conditions. Sometimes the difference between a usable and unusable photograph is a stable camera platform.

This Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and to their families.

Do you want to receive information about services the VFSL provides? Do you want to receive infomation about upcoming VFSL trainings? Do you want to hear about general laboratory updates? If yes, all you have to do is sign up for our quarterly newsletter. It is that simple!

https://animalforensics.vetmed.ufl.edu/about-us/contact-us/

Forensic Fact Wednesday. Taking crime scene photographs in a dark room can be challenging, but one useful technique is called “painting with light.” During a long exposure photograph, a flashlight or other light source is moved around the scene to selectively illuminate evidence and details. This technique can help document bloodstains, tool marks, or other evidence in low-light environments.

Recently, the Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory (VFSL) hosted two members of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency from South Korea for a week-long training experience focused on veterinary forensic pathology. The visit was part of a multi-year international collaboration aimed at advancing veterinary forensic science and strengthening global partnerships.

During their time at the VFSL, participants observed forensic autopsies, discussed investigative approaches, and learned about laboratory workflows. The ability to collaborate with both internal and international partners is essential in addressing animal cruelty and animal crimes worldwide. Animal cruelty investigations often involve issues that cross jurisdictions and borders, making scientific collaboration and information sharing increasingly important. Through partnerships like these, the VFSL continues to support the advancement of veterinary forensic science on a global scale.

The Animal Welfare Junction Podcast joined us at Animal ForensiCon 2026! If you were unable to attend the conference, these podcast interviews are a great way to learn more about many of our presenters and the important work they are doing in the fields of animal welfare, animal advocacy, forensic investigations, and animal protection.

https://animal-welfare-junction.captivate.fm/

That’s a wrap for Animal ForensiCon 2026, and what a tremendous success it was! The conference brought together professionals from across the country and around the world for outstanding lectures, hands-on workshops, and meaningful discussions focused on advancing the field of animal forensics and animal cruelty investigations. Thank you to our sponsors Humane World for Animals and the National Animal Care and Control Association!