NCJ Number
127489
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this paper is to foster discussion and implement action among the various professional groups in Pennsylvania that deal with the issue of child homicide.
Abstract
Increased awareness of child abuse and neglect have turned legal and medical attention to the problem of child homicide. A critical need is a definitive study to document the number of child fatalities in Pennsylvania, the cause of death, and law enforcement involvement in conviction and sentencing. Child homicides are difficult to solve, since most of the evidence collection techniques used in adult crimes are often worthless. There are rarely witnesses to child murders because the crimes are committed in the privacy of the home. Confessions are not customary, and parents or caretakers are quick to blame the abuse problem on the child victim. Further, fingerprints are useless, since the assailants usually live in the same house as the child. Pennsylvania has a general criminal homicide statute but improved provisions are needed to deal specifically with child homicides. The person responsible for the care of a defenseless child must be held to a higher standard than the general adult population. 25 endnotes