Melinda D. Merck, D.V.M.

Melinda D. Merck, D.V.M.

 

Dr. Melinda D. Merck joined the ASPCA in 2007 as a Forensic Veterinarian, and now serves as Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics in Anti-Cruelty.
 
Dr. Merck received her veterinary degree from Michigan State University in 1988 and, upon graduation, opened her private practice in 1990, in Roswell, Georgia.  At the same time she began working with local shelters and animal welfare organizations in the Atlanta area.

In January, 2003, Dr. Merck joined the Georgia Legal Professionals for Animals (GLPA) as the vice president of Veterinary and Forensic Affairs, and began giving seminars on veterinary forensic investigations through GLPA for law enforcement and veterinarians.  To develop her expertise in this emerging field, she worked closely with medical examiners at the Fulton County Medical Examiners’ Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation while continuing to further her expertise through the study of human forensics textbooks.

Dr. Merck frequently testifies as a forensic veterinary expert for animal cruelty cases across the country, including cases involving animal hoarding, puppy mills, dog fighting and animal torture, such as 2006’s high profile “puppy torture” case in Atlanta.  In addition, she continues to be a veterinary forensics consultant for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, Ga., and also conducts veterinary forensic examinations for Gwinnett and Dekalb County Animal Welfare.

Most recently, Dr. Merck has been involved in developing the nation’s first ASPCA Veterinary Forensic Sciences Program with the University of Florida.  The Program will promote the application of forensic sciences to veterinary medicine to aid in the understanding, prevention and prosecution of animal cruelty.  The Program will also be directly involved in forensic work on animal cruelty cases investigated by the ASPCA, as well as acting as a resource to assist other agencies with such investigations. 

Dr. Merck is co-author of the book “Veterinary Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty: A Guide for Veterinarians and Law Enforcement.” Her latest publication, “Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigation,” was released in June 2007.  She continues to provide training for veterinary and law enforcement professionals nationwide on the use of veterinary medical knowledge in the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty cases.

Dr. Merck lives in Atlanta, Ga., with an assortment of dogs and cats, many rescued from cruelty cases.

 

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