Child homicide cases are some of the most difficult cases to investigate. This is not only because of the highly-charged emotions involved but also because these cases at first glance frequently appear to be accidents. This is one area of the law in which you must not only prove who did the crime but often if it is even a crime at all. This presentation will be presented in two parts and will cover an entire child homicide investigation including the 911 call analysis, scene preservation, evidence gathering, and interrogation. We will discuss specific challenges in certain types of cases, including abusive head trauma. A case study will be woven throughout the presentation of child torture/homicide to illustrate many of the principles being discussed. This will be team-taught by a career law enforcement officer and prosecutor, providing each unique viewpoint to these investigations and discussing what is necessary to reach the level of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the importance of treating all unexplained child deaths as homicide investigations.
Recognize the importance of the MDT approach to the entire investigation.
Identify the first things that must occur to secure a child death scene.
