Child Death Investigations

Child Death Investigations is a comprehensive book detailing investigative strategies and considerations for various types of child death, including agency involvement from paramedics to prosecutors and complete case analyses. The death of a child initiates a multitude of responses from a variety of disciplines. The ultimate responsibility lies with pathologists and medical examiners whose role it is to determine final cause and manner of death. This book originates from that perspective, examining cases and the investigative process through the medicolegal lens. Each manner of death is explored, detailing the means by which children die, the critical investigative considerations and details necessary to gather, scene considerations, and agency roles.

New guidelines for suicide investigations have been added, as well as new chapters addressing techniques for interviewing families and infant death scene reconstructions, and updated information on final rulings of infant deaths related to SIDS and accidental asphyxiation. This edition includes two new chapters, one addressing the specific role of patrol officers on these cases, and a chapter on making sure we are taking care of ourselves first and foremost.

This text is recommended for law enforcement personnel, medicolegal investigators, medical examiners, coroners, prosecutors, child protective services, and any individuals involved in disciplines relating to the investigation or review of child death. Regardless of experience or profession, this book will prepare professionals for any type of child death investigation from start to finish.