CJC-5005QQ - Child Abuse: Death Investigation

Course Description

The investigator will learn the common presentations and scene findings in cases in sudden natural deaths including infectious diseases and inherited conditions. 

Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy will be covered in depth, with emphasis on important interview questions, scene investigations, and autopsy findings.

The investigator will learn to differentiate common accidental patterns of injury from injuries inflicted by caregivers. The investigator will be introduced to common patterns of accidental and inflicted injuries unique to the pediatric age group including head injuries, abdominal injuries, and skeletal injuries.

Other topics to be covered in depth include neonaticide (the killing of a newborn infant) – in this segment, unique perpetrator characteristics and investigative procedures will be emphasized. Findings in cases of stranger-abduction homicide will be presented.  Factitious illness, also known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy will be explained and illustrated.