Animal Forensics Institute

About the Institute

Where Forensic Rigor Meets Animal Justice

The Animal Forensics Institute is an independent research and training organization dedicated to closing the critical gap in forensic-grade standards of animal crime investigations. We are a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to the scientific examination of animal crime evidence.

Animal control officers, shelter staff, and local law enforcement are often the first responders to animal cruelty, but are in dire need of the resources, toolkits, and expert training required for forensic investigations. Crimes against animals are often missed or undelivered.

We are changing that. By delivering professional training, validated methodologies, and purpose-built tools to agencies across Maryland and beyond, we are building the evidentiary foundation that animal crime professionals need to pursue justice.

Our mission is to empower the people who investigate cruelty against animals.

Dr. David Rivers and Dr. Rhys Williams leading forensic evidence training at Loyola University Maryland — Dr. David Rivers leading a forensic evidence training workshop

About the Team

The People Behind the Institute

Core Members

Dr. David Rivers

Professor of Forensic Science

Loyola University Maryland

Dr. Rivers is a forensic entomologist at Loyola University Maryland, where he researches and provides legal expertise in several areas involving necrophagous flies and parasitic wasps. His research laboratory currently investigates the physiological interactions occurring between flies that develop on a corpse.

Presently, Dr. Rivers is examining the physiology of maggot masses, which are large feeding aggregations of fly larvae that form on an animal carcass during decomposition.

Dr. Rhys Williams

Assistant Professor of Forensic Science

Loyola University Maryland

Dr. Williams is a biological anthropologist at Loyola University Maryland, where he specializes in digital imaging and soil analysis within bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. His research has grown to focus on the digitized analysis of discrete forensic evidence, soil profiling for burial site interpretation, and scholarly public engagement.

Dr. Williams is currently developing new methods for the visualization and identification of animal evidence for rapid scene testing for the Animal Forensics Institute.

Jonathan Fried

Assistant Teaching Professor

Loyola University Maryland

Jonathan Fried is a forensic pattern analyst with more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, crime scene investigation, and forensic analysis across Connecticut, Nevada, and the District of Columbia. His work focuses on forensic documentation, photography, and evidence collection involving both human and animal injuries, including the use of aerial imaging as an FAA licensed remote pilot.

Jon is actively engaged in training and advancing standardized, technology-driven approaches in support of the Animal Forensics Institute, and offers additional expertise in firearms and toolmarks analysis.

Instructors

Adam Lippe

Instructor

Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office

Adam Lippe is a career prosecutor and Chief of the Economic, Cyber, and Animal Abuse Units in the Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Law, University of Baltimore School of Law, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland Global College, Goucher College, and Loyola University Maryland.

Adam is an instructor of Animal Law at Loyola and a dedicated advocate of animal law enforcement.

Collaborators

Baltimore City Animal Control

Sharon Colburn, Director

Sharon Colburn is the Director of Animal Control for Baltimore City. Sharon oversees animal services and has been involved in addressing policy changes regarding community cats and animal welfare.

Talbot Humane

Patty Crankshaw-Quimby, Executive Director

Patty Crankshaw-Quimby has been with Talbot Humane since 1999. Working her way through the ranks, Patty is committed to ensuring the pets and their people of the Mid Shore have the services and care they need. Patty is also the current president of Professional Animal Workers of Maryland, the state association of animal control and humane societies, a consumer member and vice president of the Maryland Board of Veterinary Examiners, and a member of the Maryland Spay Neuter Advisory Board.

Benefactors & Supporters

Show Your Soft Side

Show Your Soft Side is a public service campaign run entirely by volunteers with the goal of ending animal abuse before it starts and generating support for the world's animal rescue community. Their mission is to create a more compassionate world for animals while providing support for the most vulnerable.

PAWS: Professional Animal Workers Society of Maryland

PAWS is an organization which encourages and assists in the professional development of organizations and individuals engaged in Animal Control, Animal Welfare and sheltering. The goals of PAWS are to provide education, training, legislative information and mutual fellowship for its members.