Child abuse investigations vary between jurisdictions, but generally involve gathering facts, conducting interviews, and making safety determinations. Some municipalities have specific laws governing investigations, while others leave it to agency discretion. In the US, investigations must be completed within 30 days, and in the UK, a joint agency approach is taken.
What happens during a child abuse investigation, at least in specific terms, varies greatly between jurisdictions. The events that constitute a child abuse investigation in the United States differ from those in Canada, Australia, France, or Spain. Similarly, investigative procedures among local municipalities vary based on state or local law, agency policies, and other factors. While the specifications may vary, the primary principles are the same. A child abuse investigation generally includes gathering facts about the reported instance of abuse, family histories, legal or criminal histories of the adults involved, medical records and histories, as well as personal interviews, psychological evaluations, and safety determinations.
Regardless of the specific local laws that apply to a suspected child abuse case, trained professionals typically begin with documentation related to a reported incident. For example, a social worker may review medical records from an emergency room visit or police reports of domestic violence calls. The second stage usually involves personal interviews with parents, caregivers, medical or school professionals, as well as with the child and siblings. During interviews with suspected abuse victims, the interviewer often looks for signs of child abuse, whether physical, mental or sexual, and takes photographs of any questionable injuries or identifies signs of abuse. By reviewing the records and conducting initial interviews, the social worker or law enforcement officer can determine next steps in the investigation process.
Some municipalities have laws governing what must happen during a child abuse investigation. In such cases, responsible parties often need to complete specific steps in a specific order or as justified by predetermined criteria. Other municipalities leave the course of a child abuse investigation to the judgment of the representative of the agency conducting the investigation. In the United States, the exact progression of a child abuse investigation is not mandatory. Rather, social workers are given a specific amount of time within which they must complete an investigation and make a decision about a child’s needs.
For example, according to the U.S. Department of Human Services, oversight agency for the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), regulations state that upon a citizen who reports child abuse to the appropriate agencies, the DFCS he has 24 hours to start a formal investigation. Within 30 days, the child abuse investigation must be completed and a recommendation regarding the welfare and safety of the child must be made. During the 30-day investigation period, DFCS workers are required to conduct in-person interviews with victims, perpetrators, and parents; visit the child’s home; review all necessary documentation and historical records; expand interviews with neighbors, teachers and extended family; and make professional assessments of the child’s safety, likelihood of future abuse, and family needs.
In the UK, most agencies involved in a child abuse investigation take a joint agency approach. This means that law enforcement professionals work with child protection professionals to conduct an investigation. In such cases, a law enforcement officer may initially assess a child’s condition for signs of abuse and secure a suspected scene of abuse. As child abuse investigations continue, child protection personnel assist with personal interviews and any necessary psychological evaluations, depending on the specific jurisdiction.
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