Domestic Violence - Investigating Child Abuse

When there is a case of suspected child abuse there are different agencies which become involved. Child protective services is one of those agencies and must determine if a child is in need of care, protection, and/or various services. Social service agencies get involved to investigate evidence abuse occurred and identify the person likely to have committed the abuse or, in cases of neglect, to investigate the neglect to protect the child. The police investigate suspected abuse and neglect cases as well but they have a different goal: They are required to determine if probable cause exists to evidence a crime having been committed and to identify the perpetrator for possible prosecution. 

Physical injury as well as signs of psychological or emotional abuse are important to the police investigator. Evidence, statements, and reports from forensics are collected with the goal
of identifying and prosecuting the perpetrator. The different agencies may have different goals based on what they do but their cooperation is always based in what is in the best interests of the child.

We strongly urge people to become involved in the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children http://www.nationaldec.org/

This is a public service message of the American Public Safety Training Institute at http://www.tapsti.org