NCJ Number
67814
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS ESSAY DISCUSSES THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE AND PRESENTS NECESSARY INVESTIGATIVE MEASURES AND TECHNIQUES FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THIS SOCIAL PROBLEM INVOLVES ONE IN FIVE AMERICAN FAMILIES, ONLY LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED IN THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE AND HANDLE A DAILY VARIETY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS. TREATMENT DIRECTED TOWARDS CONVICTED ABUSERS DOES NOTHING TO PROTECT CHILDREN, SO THE FOUNDATION TO PROTECT THE CHILD AND HELP PARENTS BEGINS WITH A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION BY A KNOWLEDGEABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD INCLUDE A FULL BODY INSPECTION OF ALL CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY; PHOTOGRAPHS OF EVERY ROOM; DIAGRAMS OF THE VICTIM'S BODY; STATEMENTS OF ALL RESIDENTS IN THE HOME; STATEMENTS FROM THE DOCTOR, TEACHER, BABYSITTER, CLOSE RELATIVES, AND FRIENDS; A SEARCH FOR SCHOOL ABSENCE PATTERNS; OBSERVANCE OF CHANGES IN THE CHILD'S ATTITUDES AND RESPONSES; COMPLETE X-RAYS; KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONDITION AND QUANTITY OF FOOD AVAILABLE IN THE HOME; AWARENESS OF THE CHILD'S LAST VISIT TO DOCTOR; PRIOR HISTORY OF FAMILY ABUSE OR NEGLECT; TAKING INTO EVIDENCE ANY OBJECT USED TO CAUSE INJURY; AND COMPOSING A LIST OF OBJECTS, DRUGS, AND OTHER SITUATIONS HAZARDOUS AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE CHILD. WOUND IDENTIFICATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE BRUISES, LACERATIONS, HEAD INJURIES, SIGNS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND BURNS. A DUPLICATE SET OF PICTURES OF THE HOME AND CHILD, IN BOTH BLACK AND WHITE AND IN COLOR, IS ALSO NECESSARY. ALL WALLS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND ALL HOME OBJECTS STUDIED. A GLOSSARY OF TERMS RELATED TO CHILD ABUSE IS INCLUDED.