Scientists shot live pigs in the head to measure blood-spatter patterns
An animal rights group has written to the institute urging researchers to stop the experiments
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An animal rights group has criticised researchers in New Zealand who shot live pigs in the head as part of a study on blood-spatter patterns.
The study, published in July in the International Journal of Legal Medicine, described how five of the animals were secured to a surgical table before being shot from close range with a Glock semi-automatic handgun to record the back-spatter of blood, bone and brain material.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claimed the experiment was unnecessary because pigs are "fundamentally different" from humans and better results could be achieved using mannequins or computer modelling.
"These incredibly violent experiments are entirely indefensible, given their cruelty, inapplicability to humans and the superior non-animal research methods that are available," said Justin Goodman, the animal rights group's US director of laboratory investigations.
The group has sent letters to the government-funded Institute of Environmental Science and Research and two universities which contributed research, urging them to stop such experiments.
But the institute said the pigs were sedated and treated humanely. The scientists said their analysis is important in understanding human shooting deaths and could help in criminal cases.
Keith Bedford, the general manager responsible for forensic science activities at the institute, said it uses models and simulations wherever possible, but that this particular experiment could not get the results it needed any other way.
"It goes to the ability to provide reliable, and the most informative, evidence in a court case," he said.
"It may be critical in protecting someone's liberty."
He said the organisation had no plans to carry out similar experiments using live animals, a point the animal rights group welcomed.
AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments