Law enforcement response to child abuse
Contributors: United States. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Series: Portable guides to investigating child abuse
Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 20
Subjects: Child abuse -- Investigation -- United States; Law enforcement -- United States
Description: This guide provides information needed by law enforcement personnel to ensure consistency in child abuse investigations and offers useful suggestions on how police officers can work with physicians, respond to domestic disturbance calls, and place children in protective custody. The role of law enforcement in child abuse cases is to investigate, identify and apprehend the offender, and file appropriate criminal charges. The response of law enforcement to child abuse needs to be consistent, and police officers must be objective and proactive in child abuse investigations. The most effective approach to child abuse investigations is based on interagency coordination and planning. Social workers, physicians, therapists, prosecutors, judges, and police officers all have important roles to play. Police investigators should be trained and experienced in objectively investigating child abuse so they can interview children and interrogate suspected offenders. Important considerations in child abuse investigations are listed, along with procedures for working with medical professionals and obtaining medical examinations and procedures for handling domestic disturbance calls and placing a child in emergency protective custody. A sample child sexual assault protocol for use by police investigators and a list of organizations involved in child abuse investigations are included. 13 references
Notes: Cover title

Shipping list no.: 1997-0257-P

"May 1997"--P. [2] of cover

Includes bibliographical references
Table of contents: value: Foreword / Shay Bilchik; value: Overview; value: Keypoints; value: Multidisciplinary team approach; value: Establishing law enforcement protocols and procedures; value: Speaking a common language; value: Working with the medical profession; value: Obtaining a medical examination; value: Domestic disturbance calls; value: Placing a child in emergency protective custody; value: Common mistakes to avoid; value: Removing the child; value: Impact on the child; value: Conclusion; value: Contributing authors; value: Supplemental reading; value: Organizations; value: Additional resources