NCJ Number
101574
Date Published
1985
Length
152 pages
Annotation
After an overview of the history and causes of child abuse and neglect and a discussion of related reporting laws, as well as civil and criminal liability, this manual provides detailed descriptions of procedures for investigating child abuse and neglect cases, with particular sections devoted to the investigation of child sexual abuse.
Abstract
Steps in investigating child sexual abuse include setting priorities and focusing the investigation, conducting the medical evaluation and physical examination, identifying the symptoms of sexual abuse, and understanding the victim and pedophiles. One section describes techniques for interviewing the sexually abused child. A checklist summarizes the behavioral clues of parents who have abused their children. A section on wound identification covers soft tissue injuries, skeletal injuries, internal injuries, and head injuries. Separate sections address burn investigations and neglect investigations, the collection of photographic evidence, bite marks, problem diagnosis, poisonings, stress management, and prevention. Appendixes contain a national resources directory, suggested readings, audiovisual resources, a glossary, and a materials catalog.