Keeping an open mind at autopsy: Perspectives from veterinary pathology

Abstract To minimize the risk of error and bias, open-mindedness is an important attribute for pathologists to cultivate during autopsy examination, especially when dealing with medicolegal cases in forensic investigations. Inevitably, a similar open-minded approach is required of veterinary pathologists, especially when they deal with cases that might have medicolegal implications. However, veterinary forensics is still an evolving area and lacks the established framework that exists in the human forensic field. As such, veterinary pathologists are often exposed to disproportionately more background case information than forensic pathologists are, thus increasing the risk that cognitive bias might affect case interpretations, even unintentionally when pathologists are managing their cases honestly and professionally. This article shares some examples of the types of cases involving deaths of animals that have potential to challenge veterinary pathologists in this way. It also highlights some of the hurdles facing veterinary pathologists who deal with such cases.