Firearms related injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Many of these injuries and fatalities are related to children gaining access to firearms in the home, whether intentionally or accidentally. This presentation will cover how to investigate incidents in which a child is the primary suspect in firearm related injury that occurred in the home. The presenters will focus on certain aspects of these investigations, including: the initial investigation from the call for service to interviews; likely evidence that can be collected and what it can tell us; common stories given and how to disprove them; and who to charge for the offense. The presenters will use real cases as examples to highlight investigation strategies and unique aspects of these investigations. Finally, the presenters will discuss the judicial aftermath of these incidents and consider what changes can be made to prevent incidents in the future.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the investigation process for child-related firearms offenses.
List three common scenarios leading to child-related firearms offenses.
Assess changes that can be made to prevent further child-related firearms offenses.
