Dec 11, 2007 7:10 pm US/Eastern
ASPCA Rolls Out One Of A Kind Animal CSI Unit
Nation's First Such Mobile Vehicle Mirrors Popular Show
By Scott Rapoport, CBS 2 HD News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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At a cost of $220,000, the ASPCA unveiled its animal CSI mobile unit on Dec. 11. It is the first of its kind in the country and is modeled after what you'd see on the popular CBS television show.
CBS
It's state of the art science designed to protect those who can't protect themselves -- defenseless animals.
CBS 2 HD has learned how the ASPCA is going CSI.
Michael Vick's recent conviction for his role in a brutal dog fighting ring shined the spotlight on the issue of animal cruelty and crime.
Now, like something ripped from the pages of the show CSI a new, one of a kind tool to combat crime against animals has been unveiled.
This is the nation's first mobile animal CSI unit," said forensic veterinarian Dr. Melinda Merck.
That's right a high-tech, animal crime scene investigation unit was unveiled by the ASPCA on Tuesday.
"This is an animal CSI van that can literally go to the crime scene, gather forensic evidence and at the same time be a veterinary treatment center for any victims of animal cruelty that are on the scene," ASPCA president Ed Sayers said.
Inside you'll find it all – microscopes, cameras, evidence collection kit, blood spatter technology, a digital X-ray unit, a surgical suite and ultraviolet lights for fiber detection.
"Basically like a human CSI with a few extras," Dr. Merck said.
For Merck, this will be her office as she travels to crime scenes around the country, involving animal fighting and puppy mills. She'll have all the science at her disposal.
"We can identify blood evidence, fibers and fluids and we can collect that evidence and preserve the chain of custody which is preserving the integrity of the evidence," Merck said.
It's a taste of CSI for the vet set.
The ASPCA says the animal CSI unit cost $220,000, and the money came from a single private donor.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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