Summary
Contents
Subject index
“This well-written book covers both practical aspects of investigation and the theoretical underpinnings. Starting with ideas for team building, the volume offers concrete guidance about the most effective structures available to teams…. This volume will be of interest to those wishing to start a team and also to existing team members who want assistance with optimizing team development.” --Virginia Child Protection Newsletter “Highly recommended.” --Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin Book Club As child abuse investigation and intervention evolved throughout the past decade, it has become clear that no single discipline or agency can meet the needs of abused children and their families. This practical, timely, and accessibly written book focuses on how to develop, operate, and maintain effective investigative teams. It examines how law enforcement officers, child protection workers, prosecutors, medical professionals, and mental health clinicians can form coordinated investigative teams for fact finding, child protection, and criminal prosecution. The authors devote a series of chapters to investigative interviewing, investigative protocol, preparing for the child interview, the child interview process, corroborating interviews, and interviewing the suspect. Other chapters include discussion on building teams, and the roles and responsibilities of the team members (child protective services, law enforcement, prosecutors, mental health representative, and child welfare agency counsel). The book concludes with two important chapters on the team decision-making process and decision making in complex environments. A must read for all professionals and those in training who are, or will be, involved in child sexual abuse investigations.
Validation: The Team Decision-Making Process
Validation: The Team Decision-Making Process
All of the team's investigative efforts—interviewing, crime scene searches, medical exams, DNA analyses, lineups, and collateral contacts—are aimed at gathering enough information to make several key decisions.
- Was this child sexually abused (or subjected to any form of child maltreatment)?
- If so, can the team determine who was responsible for the abuse?
- Is the child at clear risk of abuse in the future? If so, from whom?
- What must be done to protect the child or other children from further abuse?
- Is there sufficient evidence to support the team's conclusions to meet the standards of (a) juvenile or family court, if needed; or (b) criminal court, if appropriate?
The first two questions are at the heart ...
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