ABSTRACT
Children die from diseases, accidents, neglect, injuries, and intentional acts of violence and neglect. This chapter focuses on violent death, fatal malnourishment, and other intentional acts that take a child's life. Because of the undeveloped nature of children's skeletal and muscular systems, child injuries often manifest differently than injuries to adults. Children who fall and injure themselves accidentally usually have bruises on the bony prominences—chin, forehead, elbows, knees, and shins. A thorough review of all medical records must be conducted by the investigator in any case where physical child abuse is suspected. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is the result of a caregiver most often the mother of the child fabricating the symptoms of or inducing a life-threatening medical condition in the child in their care. It is believed that they seek the continual attention that comes from an ongoing medical crisis with the child.
