NCJ Number
68490
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 101-108
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
USE OF A CHILD DEATH EVALUATION TEAM, CONSISTING OF EXPERTS IN MEDICINE AND LAW, IS RECOMMENDED TO INVESTIGATE DEATHS CAUSED BY CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT.
Abstract
DEATHS OF 32 CHILDREN, AGED 1 MONTH TO 6 YEARS, WERE RESEARCHED. THE DATA WAS OBTAINED PRIMARILY FROM CASE FILES OF THE CHILD PROTECTIVE DEPARTMENT IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA, AND AUTOPSIES. THE CAUSES OF THOSE DEATHS WERE IDENTIFIED AS ILLNESS OR DISEASE, ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES, AND MALNUTRITION. THE RESEARCH SHOWED THAT IN ALL OF THOSE CASES CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT COULD HAVE BEEN THE ACCOMPANYING CAUSE. HOWEVER, PROSECUTION OF THE CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT CASES IS VERY DIFFICULT, BECAUSE EITHER THERE ARE NO WITNESSES, OR A SPOUSE OR A SIBLING ARE THE ONLY WITNESSES. ALSO, THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ADULT OFFENDER MAY BE WEAK AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL. HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO MORE ACCURATELY DETERMINE THE CAUSES OF THOSE CHILDREN'S DEATHS TO ELIMINATE THE NEED TO USE SPECULATIVE FIGURES IN THE EVALUATION OF THE STATISTICAL DATA, AND TO DEVELOP GENERAL STANDARDS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR THE AGENCY GUILTY OF THE ABUSE OR NEGLECT. A VEHICLE FOR SUCH INVESTIGATIONS WOULD BE A CHILD DEATH EVALUATION TEAM CONSISTING OF A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST, A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, A CHILD PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST, A PEDIATRICIAN, AND A COORDINATOR. THE TEAM WOULD COOPERATE WITH OTHER AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE CHILD PROTECTION AGENCY, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS, ETC. A DIALOG COULD BE ESTABLISHED TO MAKE ALL PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED AWARE OF THE MEDICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN WHICH A PARTICULAR CHILD LIVED AND DIED. ACCURATE IDENTIFICATION OF THESE PHENOMENA WILL RESULT IN BETTER PREVENTIVE METHODS. STATISTICAL DATA AND TWO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.