Virginia M. Maxwell is Professor in the Forensic Science Department at the University of New Haven. She teaches Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty and has created a graduate certificate in Animal Cruelty Investigation at the University. Dr. Maxwell is a member and contributing scholar with the Center for a Humane Economy's Scholarly Network on Animal Protection. As part of a Collaboration for Investigation of Animal Maltreatment with the University of Connecticut School of Law, she has developed Animal Cruelty Investigation trainings for animal control officers and other first responders.