NCJ Number
145208
Date Published
1992
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This is a manual for investigating child burn injuries that may have resulted from abuse.
Abstract
Intentional burns represent about 20 percent of all physical injuries to on children. Doctors and other professionals may like to believe parents' (and children's) explanations that the injury was accidental, but should consider the possibility that abuse occurred. Yet, they must be careful not to make false accusations. Four standard considerations are 1) Is there a crisis that could have triggered this event? 2) How realistic is the explanation of this burn? 3) Is this child being toilet trained or having bedwetting problems? and 4) Was there a delay in obtaining medical attention? Using illustrations, the authors explain how to examine various types of burns--what to look for to tell what instrument or substance was used and whether the injury was intentionally inflicted or accidental. In cases of intentional repeated infliction, age of wounds is an important factor. The hands, genitalia, buttocks, and feet are parts of the body most commonly burned. Charts, 19 references