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Forensic investigations of religious rituals involving poultry: a case report

Investigation published in Journal of Comparative Pathology

November 1st, 2023

Animal victims of human cruelty are receiving increasing attention from the press and society. Veterinary pathologists and civic authorities have a duty not only to elucidate the cause, method and manner of death but also to address the motivation behind a case. Poultry are commonly used as offering to gods in Santería rituals (ebos). Only a few cases have been reported in scientific journals, in contrast with the number of cases described in the media. Here, a hen and a cockerel (Gallus domesticus) were submitted to
the VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre for autopsy, which comprised macroscopic and histological studies and microbiological testing for Chlamydia psittaci, avian orthoavulavirus 1 (Newcastle disease virus), West Nile virus and avian influenza virus. The carcasses were in an active decay stage of decomposition, containing larvae of Lucilia eximia. Both animals had been decapitated and haemorrhages in the cutting region were observed histologically. Post-mortem burns were also observed. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first post-mortem description of lesions in a domestic avian species due to religious rituals. European Union and Spanish forensic practitioners should be aware that these ritual sacrifices occur in some European countries. Moreover, future European and national legislation
updates should consider this type of animal abuse




Vazquez-Fernandez E., Rebollada A., Chinchilla-Rodríguez B., Porras N. and Rodriguez-Bertos A..




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Forensic investigations of religious rituals involving poultry: a case report

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Forensic investigations of religious rituals involving poultry: a case report



Participants:

Universidad ComplutenseServicio de Patología y Veterinaria Forense (SAP). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).

Universidad ComplutenseDepartamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).







Journal of Comparative Pathology
FACTOR YEAR Q
0.800 2023

NLMID: 102444

PMID: 38000307

ISSN: 0021-9975



TITLE: Forensic investigations of religious rituals involving poultry: a case report


JOURNAL: J Comp Pathol


NUMERACIÓN: 207:91-95


AÑO: 2023


PUBLISHER: Academic Press


AUTHORS: Vazquez-Fernandez E., Rebollada A., Chinchilla-Rodríguez B., Porras N. and Rodriguez-Bertos A..


3rd
Blanca Chinchilla Rodríguez
4th
Néstor Porras González
Last
Antonio Manuel Rodríguez Bertos

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2023.10.006


CITE THIS PUBLICATION:

Vazquez-Fernandez E., Rebollada A., Chinchilla-Rodríguez B., Porras N. and Rodriguez-Bertos A. Forensic investigations of religious rituals involving poultry: a case report. Journal of Comparative Pathology. 207:91-95. 2023. (A). ISSN: 0021-9975. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2023.10.006


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