This workshop is an overview of new and novel advancements in child maltreatment investigations that can substantiate MDT cases of child abuse and neglect. Presented as a companion to the 2023 ZAP Publication, “Evidence Collection in Child Abuse Cases: A Primer”, this session outlines the techniques and best practices discussed in the article and will dive deeper into the application of the evidence for police and prosecutors to support allegations of abuse and neglect using strategies and resources often underutilized in the scope of a criminal investigation. Topics include contusion (bruise) analysis, forensic botany (plant evidence), forensic microbiology (bacteria/viruses), testing sexual assault kits, ophthalmological evidence (eye injury), dental evidence, veterinary considerations and much more.
Learning Objectives:
Gain information about major advances in evidence collection and processing as they relate to child homicide, child sexual abuse, and other forms of maltreatment
Learn current best practices in the field pertaining as well as critiques and concerns regarding the future of forensic evidence in child abuse cases
Apply the knowledge of new and emerging evidence to improved investigation and prosecution tactics
.jpg "Tyler Counsil (he/him/his) photo")
