Child Physical Abuse
Non-Accidental vs. Accidental Injuries: Differentiating between accidental and non-accidental injuries can be accomplished through an analysis of the location, configuration, and distribution of the injuries present.
Accidental injuries are often the result of falling and usually manifest themselves in certain areas of the body – bony prominences like the elbow, knee, forehead, hands, and shins. These are the predictable scrapes and scuffs of childhood.
Injuries to soft tissues such as the buttocks or cheeks are usually inflicted by another person. Injuries to the ears are often the result of being pinched or punched. Neck injuries can occur when a child is choked or violently yanked by the shirt collar.
