But if the investigator is not able to make such a determination, a formal investigation begins. Appropriate emergency services can be provided while the investigation is pending. These may include various kinds of family support or, if the child is at imminent risk, taking the child into protective custody. Some 5,076 children were taken into protective custody during Fiscal Year 2000. Investigators also play a greater role in the comprehensive assessment of children in care, which involves both initial assessments that take place early in the investigative process and later comprehensive assessments.
Special attention is given to risk assessments.
Once an investigator has collected information from the people involved, a decision must be made by the investigator. By law, the decision must be made within 60 days, but usually the decision is announced within 30 days. Credible evidence means that the facts gathered by the investigator would lead a reasonable person to believe that a child has been abused or neglected. Indicated reports of child abuse or neglect are kept by the Department for a minimum of five years. Indicated reports of death or sexual penetration are kept for 50 years, while reports involving serious physical injury are kept for 20 years.