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Forensic Pathology of Infancy and Childhood pp 243–265Cite as

Cutaneous Findings in Children

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Abstract

The abuse of children can take many forms, although physical and sexual abuses are the forms that are most likely to result in cutaneous abnormalities. In order to effectively and reliably document changes in the skin, the examination must be carefully planned and should be conducted under optimum conditions. Such an examination may include photography as well as the detection of trace evidence by swabbing. This chapter describes these examination methods.

The most commonly observed cutaneous injuries are bruises, but these may have various features that allow the investigator to distinguish between abusive and non abusive causes. Such features may include location, pattern, number, appearance, and variations in apparent age. Occasionally natural medical conditions may cause or contribute to bruising, and these must be recognized as such to allow reliable identification of those unnatural situations. Bite marks are specific injuries that may carry serious connotations of abuse, and they are discussed in some detail especially in respect of the ability to classify them and to apply the examination to the identification of a perpetrator.

Burns and scalds represent a common form of child abuse, and these injuries should necessarily be recognized and adequately recorded and interpreted. They are discussed in detail especially in respect of their value in the investigation of mistreatment. The recognition of scarring as evidence of injury is also described. Finally, it is necessary to recognize the many natural and non abusive conditions and situations that may mimic or be misinterpreted as representing non accidental injury. These are described and documented.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forensic Pathology, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Buderim, QLD, 4556, Australia

    Peter Ellis

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  1. Peter Ellis
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Correspondence to Peter Ellis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Kim A. Collins

  2. University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Roger W. Byard

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Ellis, P. (2014). Cutaneous Findings in Children. In: Collins, K., Byard, R. (eds) Forensic Pathology of Infancy and Childhood. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-403-2_45

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