On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the Wildlife Interest Group from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – Bogor Agricultural University (FKH-IPB) and the IPB Branch of the Indonesian Veterinary Student Association (IMAKAHI) held a seminar titled “The Role of Forensic Medicine in the Veterinary World” at the auditorium of the Research Institute for Veterinary Science (BBALITVET) in Bogor with CIVAS as one of its sponsor. The seminar was attended by over 120 participants, mostly veterinary students and veterinarians.

The seminar presented two speakers, Anton Budiantono, DVM, MSi, Head of the Subdirectorate of Veterinary Medics from the Directorate of Animal Health – Directorate General of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, and dr. Siswo P. Santoso, SP.F, a Forensic Specialist from Universitas Kristen Indonesia. Moderator of the seminar was R. P. Agus Lelana, DVM, SpMP, MSi. The seminar was officially opened by Bambang Pontjo Priosoeryanto, DVM, MS, PhD as a representative from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – Bogor Agricultural University (FKH-IPB).

In the seminar, Anton Budiantono, DVM, MSi gave a presentation titled “Veterinary Forensics”. In his presentation, Dr. Anton said that currently veterinary forensics in Indonesia has not developed as advance as other countries, but with the new Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Law, Act No. 18 year 2009 Article 73 Verse 1, the government is entitled to develop and facilitate veterinary forensics. Veterinary forensics referred to in the Act is in response to the investigation of crime that is related to animals.

The second speaker, dr. Siswo P. Santoso, SP.F delivered a presentation titled “Forensic Medicine”. Forensic medicine is a discipline that studies the application of medical knowledge for legal issues. In his presentation, dr. Siswo explained the work principles and scope of forensic medicine.

Through discussion in the seminar, it was agreed that veterinary forensic is very important and the government should develop it according to Act No. 18 year 2009. As response to that agreement, Bambang Pontjo Priosoeryanto, DVM, MS, PhD, who is also General Chairman of the Indonesian Veterinary Pathology Association (APVI) said the association is willing to support the development of veterinary forensics by assisting the preparation of veterinary forensics pathology materials for the veterinarian education curriculum. (rie)