NCJ Number
214143
Date Published
2006
Length
60 pages
Annotation
This chapter provides guidance to medical examiners and coroners in determining whether or not a child's or adolescent's death was caused by abuse/neglect.
Abstract
The death of any infant, child, or adolescent is under the purview of the medical examiner or coroner in most U.S. jurisdictions. A thorough investigation of such deaths requires the development of the decedent's clinical history, a physical examination of the victim, a processing of the scene of the death, the obtaining of radiographic information, and a comprehensive analysis of the autopsy findings. Clues that suggest the possibility of the abuse and/or neglect of the victim are parent/caretaker accounts of injuries that are inconsistent with the clinical or autopsy findings; the victim's being under 3 years old; and evidence of repetitive or cumulative injuries upon examination of the skin, soft tissues, and bones. Specific causes of death that are or can be related to abuse/neglect are overt homicide, pediatric head trauma, abdominal and chest injuries, asphyxiation, burns, drowning, poisoning, sexual abuse, poor hygiene, and malnutrition. The chapter explains how to detect these various types of injury in the course of an autopsy. Psychological maltreatment almost always accompanies physical and/or sexual abuse and neglect. Psychological abuse of a child/adolescent is suggested by a high tension level in the household, frequent fighting between parents, and verbal aggression. 36 figures, 1 table, and 164 references