NCJ Number
101488
Date Published
1982
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This handbook instructs police in recognizing child abuse and neglect, performing crisis intervention, conducting investigations and interviews, and addressing special aspects of child abuse cases.
Abstract
It notes that child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment, can be identified through the child's physical condition and behavior. Other indicative factors are parental characteristics and the level of parental stress. In responding to family crisis calls, officers should provide control, remain calm, and elicit cooperation from family members in resolving the immediate problem. Pertinent evidence should be collected and a decision made about how to deal with a child who manifests abuse symptoms. Police may subsequently conduct detailed investigations requiring specialized interviewing techniques with the child, the parents, witnesses, and collateral sources. Special aspects of a child abuse case are covered, including the investigator's emotional adjustment to case circumstances, the removal of the child from the home, arrests, court jurisdictions, civil and criminal immunity from prosecution for professionals acting to protect a child, and joint police-social worker investigations. 11 references and an investigation form.