Child Abuse Prosecution Specialist Denver District Attorney's Office
Medical expert testimony can be helpful in proving child abuse cases, even in the setting of historical abuse. Providers may assist by explaining anatomy, describing any physical injury, reviewing the medical literature describing the prevalence of normal exams, explaining reasons for the type of forensic evidence collected (or not collected), and testifying to children’s disclosures under the child hearsay exception. Cases of sexual abuse findings, reasons for investigators to encourage a medical evaluation, and prosecution strategies will be presented.
Learning Objectives:
Compare medical findings in non-acute sexual abuse with findings in acute sexual abuse evaluations, and review case examples of exams and prosecution strategies.
Contrast forensic evidence collection practices for cases of acute sexual assault in pre-pubertal and pubertal children.
Understand the advantages and limitations of medical provider testimony in cases of child sexual abuse, particularly in the setting of normal exam findings.
