MDT Child Abuse Flashcards
(26 cards)
Who are some mandated reporters for child abuse?
Physicians Dentist School employees RN's Police
What are the definitions of child abuse?
Physical- injury to a child Emotional maltreatment-impairment of child's mental/psychological ability Sex abuse and exploitation Neglect Threat to harm child Buying/selling child Having a child 18 yrs or younger be around controlled substances Exposure to controlled substances
What is reporter immunity?
Immune from civil and criminal prosecution
For good faith reports
Not for false reports
What are the methods of report?
Report ASAP
Telephone or written
To DHS or police
DHS and Police are cross reporting
What is the report content?
Name Parent/guardians Age Address Nature of abuse Explanation Additional info
What are the dynamics of victims families?
Often passed thru non offending patent
Sex abuse victims- 20% vs 80% of claims
How does child abuse affect child development?
Physical Intellectual Emotional Social Moral
What are considerations in a child abuse case?
Officer survival
Cultural/religious
Appropriate discipline
Reasonable/necessary
What are the priorities of the investigation?
It's a criminal investigation Safety if child and victim Protect innocent Preserve evidence ID the principles Obtain medical exam
What should be done during the initial investigation?
Information from reporting party
Considerations for preliminary investigators
Contact with DHS children protective services
What are the principles of risk assessment?
Past incidents of abuse Fear by child Hazardous environment Signs of sex abuse Abuse by siblings
What is MDT?
Multi disciplinary team approach
Mandated by law by lack of communication from continued events
What is the purpose of MDT?
Improve case management
Investigative focus and follow up
Sharing the weight
Better tracking and coordination of victim services and offender treatment
Who are the members of MDT?
DA-leads team Police Schools Medical MH DHS Corrections
What are the most common abusive fractures?
Ribs
Humorous
Femur
What is the leading cause of traumatic death for victims under one?
Head injuries
Often no bruising
2/3rds do not in love fracture of skull
What is rapid deceleration?
Caused by baby thrown into a hard surface causing the brain to strike inside the skull
What is failure to thrive (FFT) ?
Chronic maltreatment
Emotional deprivation
Measured by physical characteristics
What are the three types of investigation burns?
Contact-cigarettes, lighters, heaters
Hot liquid
Other- chemicals, shocks ovens
What are resources for families?
Services to children and families (SCF)
Public agencies
Private/public fund
Religious organizations
What are accidental skull fracture features?
Single linear, no displaced fracture
No trauma to the brain interior
Consistent history of traumatic incident
What are skull fracture abuse signs?
Multiple or complex fractures
Fracture width greater than 3.0 mm
Depressed fractures
Growing fractures
What is Münchausen syndrome by proxy?
Suspect gains benefit from the suffering if the child
Often perpetrator is mother
Indicators: episodes of apnea, crisis in presence of one person, no medical cause discovered, history of MD shopping
What are the investigative neglect steps?
1) document the presence of children
2) document potential dangers
3) document the accessibility of hazard
4) remove children
5) interview the children)
6) suspect interview
7) medical
8) abandonment/inadequate supervision
9) neighborhood check
