NCJ Number
150980
Date Published
1993
Length
633 pages
Annotation
Intended for use by investigators, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals, these volumes provide background information, detailed guidelines, and sample materials for use in investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases.
Abstract
Individual chapters discuss victims and victimization, the vulnerability of victims, indicators of specific kinds of child abuse, and issues related to reporting of child abuse. Investigative guidelines cover techniques for interviewing children, the assessment of validity in sexual abuse cases, interviews of other witnesses, interviews of the suspect, physical evidence and search warrants, medical examinations in cases of child sexual abuse, the handling of allegations involving multiple children and suspects, and issues related to child physical abuse and child homicide. Additional chapters cover charging, plea negotiations, and disposition; pretrial motions; trial procedures, including pretrial preparation, jury selection, the opening statement, the presentation of the state's case, the defense case, ways to meet common defenses, closing arguments, and jury instructions. Further sections focus on special courtroom procedures and the development of a coordinated system. Figures and charts; chapter reference lists; and appended sample motions, briefs, transcripts, orders, and exhibits for reference in preparing a case