A thorough health assessment must be conducted by the physician, which includes a history, physical examination, and developmental assessment on a child who may be a victim of abuse. The Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP) determines the protocols for performing physician examinations on a victim of sexual assault, including child molestation. For additional information on these protocols, call (916) 324-9120. X rays, CT scans, bone scans, or other laboratory studies are useful in determining and defining the current trauma and previous traumas and excluding other medical conditions. In cases of suspected child abuse, a physician, surgeon, or dentist (or their agents) may take x-rays without parental consent.
The following diagnostic process should be performed:
1. Assess the child’s immediate medical needs.
2. Compile the past medical and social history of the child and family members.
3. Assess the plausibility of the history being provided in light of pre-existing medical conditions.
4. Determine how great a risk it would be if the child returns home.