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Additional Resources:
The National Crimes Against Children Investigators Association has compiled a list of resources for child abuse professionals to assist them in the commission of their job duties. It should be noted that all of these NCACIA-branded resources provided here are compiled from various reputable and research-backed sources. All of the assessments listed below are a combination of many different assessment tools to provide investigators with the most comprehensive tools available to perform their duties to protect children from various forms of criminal maltreatment and abuse. All of these assessments should utilized by professionals only, and should be supplemented by training provided by the NCACIA or other reliable and notable expert opinions.
1. Click Here for the Child Crimes Case File Checklist: This checklist is intended to be used by child crimes detectives and criminal investigators. This PDF document contains checklists for child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, case corroboration, victim profiling, offender profiling, caregiver profiling and abuse outcry assessment. The document and checklist system provided here is not overly complicated and should be easily implemented by any child crimes detective with minimal education or training, preferably from the NCACIA.
2. Click Here for the Domestic Violence Assessment Forms: These forms are a comprehensive assessment for domestic violence cases. The forms could be utilized by patrol officers or criminal investigators. The forms include assessments for physical abuse, strangulation, power and control elements, lethality concerns, stalking concerns, and a brief risk assessment for the potential of child abuse. The PDF document can serve as supplemental information for a case file and is easy enough to use, that it requires no additional training. However, the NCACIA still recommends the use of these forms along with our Domestic Assault Response Training course.
3. Click Here for the Personality and Communication Profiling Assessment Forms: These forms are a combination of the DISC personality assessment and the Process Communication Model (PCM) methodology. These forms are intended to aid criminal investigators in determining the personality and communication style of their interview subject, to allow the investigator to have the maximum ability to communicate effectively with that subject. This is a fairly advanced kind of interview methodology and the NCACIA recommends the use of these forms only after completing the Strategic Interviewing of Sexual and Violent Offenders course.
4. Click Here for the Trauma-Informed Interview Questionnaire Forms: These forms are an easy to follow guide for police officers in performing an appropriate, trauma-informed interview with a victim who has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The forms contain a combination of different elements of interviewing, but framed in a manner that is supportive to the victims of these crimes. The forms are easy enough to use that they require no additional training to begin implementing them. However, it should be noted that the NCACIA courses on Domestic Assault Response Training, Sexual Assault Response Training, and Trauma-Informed Response Training, are all focused on this type of methodology and could easily increase officer's understandings of how this methodology works, and why it is so important to use. These questions are intended to be used with adult victims of domestic or sexual violence when adult forensic interviewing is not an option. The NCACIA would like to stress here that interviewing children who have been victims of abuse should only be done by qualified forensic interviewers at a Children's Advocacy Center.
5. Click Here for the Child Physical Abuse Risk Assessment: These forms are a comprehensive assessment intended to guide professionals in identifying home environments and caregivers who are a significant risk of physically abusing their children, or who have already very likely physically abused their children. These risk assessments are in-depth and focused on a variety of sociological and psychological factors. The NCACIA recommends that these risk assessment forms be used by qualified professionals, ideally who have completed coursework through the NCACIA, or as a supplement to other qualified expert opinions.
6. Click Here for the Child Torture Risk Assessment: These forms are intended to aid child crimes professionals in quickly assessing for the risk that a child is being subjected to, or has been subjected to "child torture". These forms are easy to use and require no additional training to immediately implement. However, the NCACIA suggests that professionals complete coursework with the NCACIA on the use of such assessments and understand how to properly leverage this information in conjunction with other qualified expert opinions.
7. Click Here for the Child Sexual Abuse Risk Assessment: These forms are a very comprehensive approach to assessing allegations and risk factors for child sexual abuse. They contain information about a wide variety of behaviors, broken down by age-groups, to allow child abuse professionals to be able to properly assess the dynamics in a child sexual abuse investigation. These forms do contain information that can be considered fairly complicated principals for professionals who have not received the adequate training from the NCACIA in how to understand these dynamics and implement the use of these forms. These forms should be used only by qualified professionals and ideally as a supplement to other qualified expert opinions.
8. Click Here for the Personality Disorder by Gender Assessment: These forms are a comprehensive approach to looking at personality disorder characteristics, traits and behaviors. The disorders that are commonly associated with various abusive behaviors are listed within this assessment tool, and are broken down by general (non-gender specific) characteristics, then by characteristics that are more gender-specific in their presentations. The NCACIA endorses the use of various assessment tools to aid investigators and professionals during their investigations to "cast a wide net" for information that may be useful and informative, but it is also relevant to mention that with respect to these tools, "the map is not the terrain". This means that not all of these characteristics are directly representative of a disorder or that the person with these traits is an abuser. Not all people with personality disorders are abusers and not all abusers could be diagnosed as having these various personality disorders. However, these characteristics are commonly present in many abusers, and these traits should be assessed by professionals to help bolster investigative information that could be leveraged in ways to inform the court.
9. Click Here for the Minimal Facts Interview Protocol Worksheet:
In the sensitive arena of child protection, the approach taken during the initial stages of an abuse or neglect investigation is critical. This is particularly true when a child first discloses potential abuse. The Minimal Facts Interview (MFI) plays a pivotal role in this context. Widely adopted across various regions and regarded as a legally sound method, the MFI is an integral part of the early response to child abuse and neglect allegations. At its core, the Minimal Facts Interview is a strategic method of inquiry designed to gather just enough information to establish the need for a more detailed investigation, without delving into deep or potentially leading questioning. The approach is carefully structured to avoid contaminating a child's account of events, which is crucial for ensuring the reliability and integrity of any subsequent forensic investigation. The primary objective of an MFI is to ascertain the basic 'who, what, when, and where' of the alleged incident. This focus deliberately avoids exploring the 'how' and 'why' aspects, which are more appropriately delved into during a comprehensive forensic interview conducted by specially trained professionals. By restricting the scope of questioning, the MFI minimizes the risk of inflicting further psychological harm on the child and avoids influencing their recollection of events – a common concern in cases involving young and impressionable victims. See our free online training along with this worksheet on how to use this tool when talking to children about abuse.
10. Click Here for the Abdominal Trauma Questionnaire: The Abdominal Trauma Questionnaire is a specialized tool designed for use by detectives, prosecutors, and child protection services workers during the initial stages of an investigation into serious physical abuse cases, typically conducted at a hospital. This questionnaire is an integral part of the investigative process, providing a structured approach to gather critical information about the incident. However, its effective utilization is contingent upon the completion of specific NCACIA training on physical abuse investigations. This training ensures that professionals are well-equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to interpret the responses accurately and handle the sensitive nature of these cases with the requisite expertise and care. The methodology prescribed by the questionnaire is thus aimed at enhancing the investigative process, aiding in the accurate assessment of abdominal trauma in the context of child abuse.
11. Click Here for the Abusive Head Trauma Questionnaire: The Abusive Head Trauma Questionnaire serves as a vital tool for detectives, prosecutors, and child protection services workers in the preliminary stages of investigating cases involving serious physically abusive head injuries, usually conducted within a hospital setting. This structured questionnaire assists professionals in systematically collecting essential information pertinent to the case at hand. However, its implementation is advised only after the involved individuals have undergone comprehensive NCACIA training specifically focused on physical abuse investigations. Such training is crucial as it prepares them to adeptly interpret the questionnaire's findings and handle these delicate situations with professional proficiency. Consequently, this approach ensures a more thorough and informed investigation into cases of abusive head trauma, promoting accurate assessments and effective handling of these sensitive cases.
12. Click Here for the Bone Injury Questionnaire: The Bone Injury Questionnaire is a crucial tool designed for detectives, prosecutors, and child protection services workers during the initial phase of investigations into cases of serious physical abuse involving bone injuries, often carried out in a hospital setting. This questionnaire guides these professionals in systematically gathering vital information, which is essential for building a comprehensive understanding of the case. However, it is strongly recommended that this tool be used only by individuals who have completed specialized NCACIA training focused on physical abuse investigations. This prerequisite training is imperative as it equips professionals with the necessary expertise to accurately interpret the information collected through the questionnaire and to manage these highly sensitive cases with the appropriate level of skill and understanding, thereby ensuring a thorough and effective investigation process.
13. Click Here for the Bruise Injury Questionnaire: The Bruise Injury Questionnaire is an instrumental resource for detectives, prosecutors, and child protection services workers in the initial stages of investigating cases of serious physical abuse, particularly those involving bruise injuries, typically conducted in a hospital environment. This tool provides a systematic framework for collecting crucial data relevant to the case, enabling a more in-depth analysis of the circumstances surrounding the injury. However, its effective deployment is highly recommended only for professionals who have completed the specific NCACIA training focused on physical abuse investigations. This specialized training ensures that these professionals are thoroughly prepared not only to correctly interpret the findings gathered through the questionnaire but also to handle the complex and sensitive nature of these cases with the required expertise and sensitivity, thus ensuring a more comprehensive and accurate investigative process.
14. Click Here for the Burn Injury Questionnaire: The Burn Injury Questionnaire is a critical tool employed by detectives, prosecutors, and child protection services workers in the early stages of investigating serious physical abuse cases that involve burn injuries, typically initiated in a hospital setting. This questionnaire is structured to facilitate the systematic collection of essential information, aiding in the understanding and evaluation of the injury's context and severity. However, its use is strongly recommended only for professionals who have undergone specific NCACIA training in physical abuse investigations. This training is essential as it equips them with the expertise necessary to accurately interpret the responses and handle the complexities of these sensitive cases. By ensuring that only trained professionals utilize this tool, the integrity and efficacy of the investigative process are maintained, leading to more accurate assessments and better-informed decisions in cases involving burn injuries.
15. Click Here for the Abusive Head Trauma Fact Sheet: The Abusive Head Trauma Fact Sheet is an essential document for detectives, prosecutors, and child protection services workers involved in the initial investigation of cases concerning serious physical abuse injuries, specifically abusive head trauma, often conducted in hospital settings. This fact sheet serves as a comprehensive guide, providing crucial information and guidelines that assist professionals in understanding the nature, implications, and investigative approaches for such cases. However, it is emphasized that the utilization of this fact sheet should be undertaken only by those who have completed specialized NCACIA training in physical abuse investigations. This prerequisite training is vital as it ensures that the professionals are adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills required to interpret and apply the information from the fact sheet effectively, ensuring a meticulous and informed approach to these highly sensitive and complex cases.
16. Click Here for the non-Abusive Head Trauma (other serious injury) Fact Sheet:The Non-Abusive Head Trauma (Other Serious Injury) Fact Sheet is a specialized resource for detectives, prosecutors, and child protection services workers, providing guidance during the initial phases of investigations into serious physical injuries that are not a result of abuse, often conducted in hospital settings. This fact sheet offers detailed insights and procedures for differentiating non-abusive injuries from those caused by abuse, an essential aspect in such investigations. However, it's strongly recommended that this tool be utilized by professionals who have completed the specific NCACIA training on physical abuse investigations. This training is crucial, as it equips them with the necessary expertise to accurately interpret and apply the information provided in the fact sheet, ensuring that investigations are conducted with a high level of precision and understanding, which is vital for correctly identifying the nature of the injuries and making informed decisions in these complex cases.
17. Click Here for the Quick Assessment for Domestic Violence Guide: This Quick Assessment Guide for Investigators is a comprehensive resource designed to help law enforcement professionals swiftly identify the common characteristics of legitimate domestic violence cases. This guide provides an easily accessible snapshot of key indicators and behaviors associated with domestic violence, aiding investigators in making informed and accurate assessments during the initial stages of an investigation. It is intended to serve as a practical tool for on-the-ground officers, detectives, and other professionals involved in domestic violence cases, ensuring a rapid and effective response to protect victims and hold offenders accountable. Investigators are strongly encouraged to enroll in the NCACIA training courses associated with this guide to gain a deeper understanding of its application and to enhance their investigative skills in handling domestic violence cases.
18. Click Here for the Quick Assessment for Child Physical Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Guide: This Quick Assessment Guide for Investigators is an essential resource designed to assist law enforcement professionals in rapidly identifying the common characteristics of legitimate child physical abuse and child sexual abuse cases. This guide offers a concise and accessible snapshot of key indicators and behaviors associated with these types of abuse, enabling investigators to make quick and accurate assessments during the initial stages of an investigation. It serves as a practical tool for officers, detectives, and other professionals involved in child abuse cases, ensuring a prompt and effective response to protect victims and pursue justice. Investigators are strongly recommended to enroll in the NCACIA training courses associated with this guide to gain a comprehensive understanding of its application and to enhance their investigative skills in handling child abuse cases.
19. Click Here for the Quick Assessment for Negative Parenting Dynamics Guide: This Quick Assessment Guide for Investigators is a vital resource designed to help law enforcement professionals swiftly identify the common characteristics present in legitimate cases of negative parenting dynamics, including parental alienation, sabotage, estrangement, restrictive gatekeeping, protective parenting, and counterproductive parenting. This guide provides an accessible snapshot of key behaviors and indicators associated with these harmful dynamics, enabling investigators to make quick and informed assessments during the initial stages of an investigation. It serves as a practical tool for officers, detectives, and other professionals involved in family law and child welfare cases, ensuring a prompt and effective response to protect children and address negative parenting behaviors. Investigators are strongly recommended to enroll in the NCACIA training courses associated with this guide to gain a comprehensive understanding of its application and to enhance their investigative skills in handling cases involving negative parenting dynamics.
20. Click Here for the Comprehensive Assessment for Munchausen-by-Proxy (Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another or Medical Child Abuse): This Comprehensive Assessment Tool for Munchausen-by-Proxy (FDIA or Medical Child Abuse) is an indispensable resource designed to assist investigators in thoroughly evaluating cases of fabricated or induced illness in children. This detailed tool provides an extensive framework for identifying the key indicators, behaviors, and patterns associated with Munchausen-by-Proxy, enabling investigators to conduct meticulous and accurate assessments during their investigations. It serves as a crucial aid for law enforcement professionals, child protective services, and medical personnel involved in child welfare cases, ensuring a thorough and effective response to protect vulnerable children from medical child abuse. Investigators are strongly recommended to enroll in the NCACIA training courses associated with this tool to gain a comprehensive understanding of its application and to enhance their investigative skills in handling cases of Munchausen-by-Proxy.
21. Click Here for the Quick Assessment Guide for Munchausen-by_Proxy, Parental Alienation, and False Allegations of Abuse Indicators: This Comprehensive Quick Assessment Guide for Munchausen-by-Proxy, Parental Alienation, and False Allegations of Abuse Indicators is a critical resource designed to aid investigators in swiftly and accurately identifying key indicators of these complex cases. This guide offers a detailed and accessible framework for recognizing the patterns and behaviors associated with Munchausen-by-Proxy (Medical Child Abuse), parental alienation, and false allegations of abuse, facilitating prompt and informed assessments during investigations. It serves as an essential tool for law enforcement professionals, child protective services, and other stakeholders involved in child welfare and family law cases, ensuring a robust and effective response to protect children and uphold justice. Investigators are strongly recommended to enroll in the NCACIA training courses associated with this guide to gain a comprehensive understanding of its application and to enhance their investigative skills in handling these intricate and sensitive cases.
22. Click Here for the Warning Signs for Munchausen-by-Proxy - Medical Child Abuse: This is a checklist that requires no specialized training to use. These are the warning signs from a case evaluation perspective that will allow investigators to understand if there are warning signs present that are consistent with Munchausen-by-Proxy, Medical Child Abuse.
23. Click Here for the Guide to Assessing False Allegations of Abuse: This is our "Memory Contamination and Deception Assessment" (MCDA) tool to aid investigators in recognizing potential case dynamics that would be present in false allegations of abuse. A strong word of caution should be made here - this guide needs to be understood within the appropriate context and the NCACIA strongly recommends that investigators take our training on these topics prior to using these tools to ensure their proper use within critical investigations.
23. Click Here for the Credibility and Reality Assessment Tool (CRAT) Criteria: The CRAT is a statement analysis tool to be used to assess the statements of victims for aspects of their statements that would tend to indicate that these statements are being truthfully made, and about real experiences the victim had. This tool aids investigators in understanding the veracity of the statements made by victims, and whether or not there might be any indications of memory contamination or signs of suggestibility in the statement. A strong word of caution should be made here - this guide needs to be understood within the appropriate context and the NCACIA strongly recommends that investigators take our training on these topics prior to using these tools to ensure their proper use within critical investigations.
25. Click Here for the Comprehensive Statement Evaluation Tool (CSET) Criteria: The CSET is a statement analysis tool to be used to assess the statements of alleged offenders for aspects of their statements that are consistently observed in legitimately guilty offenders who engage in violent/aggressive crimes, sexual crimes, and exploitative crimes against people (adults and children). This is a multifactorial approach to statement and behavioral analysis in offenders, and this tool is the most reliable and efficient approach available today to assess offender's statements for signs of guilt. A strong word of caution should be made here - this guide needs to be understood within the appropriate context and the NCACIA strongly recommends that investigators take our training on these topics prior to using these tools to ensure their proper use within critical investigations.