Methodical approaches to cranioscopic study of purebred Arabian horses in the context of forensic veterinary examination, Методологічні підходи до краніоскопічного дослідження чистокровних арабських коней у контексті судово-ветеринарної експертизи

<jats:p>The aim of the study is to formulate and substantiate methodological approaches to the osteoscopic examination of the nasocranial part of the skull of purebred Arabian horses in the context of forensic veterinary expertise. The informativeness of osteological examination parameters (osteoscopy) of the nasocranial region of the skull of purebred Arabian horses was analyzed. The study was conducted on 36 dry skulls of purebred Arabian horses obtained from veterinary anatomical collections and verified according to breeding documentation. The skulls were selected based on preservation criteria, which included the absence of postmortem damage, deformation, or pathological changes that could affect morphometric analysis. Cranial reference points were identified and their localization was described. It was established that the skull is an informative material for determining the age and sex of animals and can serve as a basis for the development of computer-based technologies for expert examinations. The skulls were obtained from horses aged from 1 day to 5 years. The age dependence of cranial measurements was determined on 60 skulls of Arabian horses. Thus, the study presents a comprehensive approach to the osteoscopic analysis of the nasomaxillary region of the skull of purebred Arabian horses, emphasizing its practical application in forensic veterinary examination of cranial material. Visual anatomical assessment of horse skulls allows for determining the sex and age of unidentified remains. It is noted that the identified cranial landmarks, particularly those associated with the frontal and nasal bones, demonstrate stable sexual dimorphism and age-related variability, confirming their high diagnostic value in forensic veterinary examinations. The proposed innovative developments will form the basis of standardized protocols aimed at improving the scientific accuracy and efficiency of cranial forensic veterinary investigations, especially for animal identification and estimation of the postmortem interval. The study confirms the growing role of forensic veterinary expertise in the legal and ethical assessment of animal welfare. Further research should focus on expanding applications to other horse breeds and integrating modern imaging methods to enhance the accuracy of expert conclusions.</jats:p>