This course is based upon material published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and is available online at their website. 

The investigation of child abuse is a critical and sensitive issue that affects the safety and well-being of children nationwide. It is estimated that law enforcement agencies in the United States investigate more than 3.3 million cases of child maltreatment each year and that as many as 2,000 children die as a result of this maltreatment. Law enforcement personnel are responsible for protecting children and often have the difficult task of determining if a childs injury is accidental or deliberately inflicted.

Careful investigation is required to determine whether a childs injuries are accidental or intentional. The source document for this course is a guide, first developed in 1996.  It provides information about the many indicators of child maltreatment and abuse to help first responders and investigators differentiate between physical abuse and accidental injury. Over the years, advancements in medicine have helped further distinguish between accidental and abusive injuries. This fourth edition of the guide reflects the most current literature on how to distinguish between types of injuries and includes the questions that investigating officers must ask.

The course material was originally developed for investigators of child abuse is a wonderful resource for clinical social workers, psychologists, professional counselors and nurses who do clinical work.  It is also a good primer for substance abuse counselors and others who work with clients and need to know how to identify potential signs of child abuse.

This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of latest information regarding child abuse identification. The course covers empirically documented methods for injury assessment, from skin injuries to fractures, head injuries and abdominal injuries.  This course covers identification of abuse indicators only and does not include any content on the treatment of child abuse victims or perpetrators.      

This course is particularly useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal.  

Authors:  Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)

Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the identification and of child abuse injuries and illnesses caused by child abuse. Specifically, a professional will:

• Identify elements of the family or situation that are associated with an increased risk of child abuse.

• Distinguish general indicators of abusive injuries.

• Recognize features of injuries or illnesses that are strongly suggesting of abuse.

Citation:  Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) (2014).  Recognizing When a Childs Injury or Illness is Caused by Abuse:  Portable Guide to Investigating Child Abuse.  U.S. Department of Justice:  Office of Justice Programs, Washington DC.