This webinar, which will be of interest to forensic nurses as well as law enforcement and child safety professionals, will cover intraoral, extraoral, facial, head, and neck injuries related to child physical and sexual abuse. Children exposed to maltreatment often display intraoral and extraoral signs, many which are characteristic of all child abuse types. Bony fractures, bruises, welts, bite marks, burn marks, dental/medical neglect, abrasions, lacerations, “black eyes”, avulsed teeth, palatal bruising, a torn frenum, are all injuries that can be associated with abuse.

Which types of trauma that may be seen on the face, head, and neck will trigger us as healthcare providers to then do a full body exam, with clothing removed, to assess for other indicators of child maltreatment? (bruises, bite marks, burns, fractures, etc.) We will briefly discuss the intersection between child abuse and human trafficking, photography and lighting, and the Secret of Forensics: The Power of Observation.

Objectives:

Critique dental & facial (extra-orally & intra-orally) findings related to occurrences of child physical & sexual abuse.
Describe best practice approaches to assess for indicators of child maltreatment.
Discuss the intersections of child abuse and human trafficking.