Martha Smith-Blackmore

Martha Smith-Blackmore is an internationally recognized veterinarian with deep animal welfare, animal law and veterinary forensics experience. She is a leader in the field of veterinary, shelter & forensic veterinary medicine; an engaging public speaker; a compassionate and effective manager. A talented animal advocate, Dr. Smith is known for her appropriate and balanced scientific approach. She is passionate about good quality of life for all animals and people. Dr. Smith works to protect animals because protecting animals helps to protect all of us.

For 2021 - 2022, Dr. Smith-Blackmore is a Visiting Fellow at the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law and Policy Program at Harvard Law School. She is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and she is a recipient of the school's Childers Award for extraordinary contributions to student education. She is also an associate member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences appointed to the Crime Scene Investigations Consensus Body, the National Sheriffs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, appointed to the IACP’s Forensic Science Committee.  Dr. Smith is a past chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Welfare Committee, and past-president of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians.

Dr. Smith-Blackmore's forensics career was launched at the MSPCA and continued to develop over her 14 year stint at the Animal Rescue League of Boston, working with a variety of police departments, animal control departments and prosecutors. Dr. Smith served as interim president of the ARL for 11 months, and supervised a small law enforcement department during that time. She left the ARL to hone her forensic skills and expand her knowledge base by undertaking a year of observational training at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Boston, Massachusetts, attending over 400 autopsies. Over her career, Dr. Smith has contributed to the successful prosecution of cases of simple animal abuse, intentional abuse & torture, animal sexual abuse and animal fighting. She has also helped to exonerate the innocent and contribute as an expert in a variety of civil disputes.

A graduate of Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Smith was internship trained at the MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center. She has worked as a shelter veterinarian, director of veterinary medicine, interim president and vice president of animal welfare at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. When the increasing demand for veterinary forensic work forced a choice between a career as an administrator and working to protect animals and advance forensic science, Dr. Smith knew there was no choice.  Hence, FVI!