Working Together to Protect the Vulnerable: A Radiologic Perspective on the Forensic Evaluation of Child Abuse

Abstract

Background

Child abuse constitutes a persistent public health concern and a serious human rights violation, requiring objective, evidence-based investigative approaches. Radiologic imaging plays a pivotal role in the detection, documentation, and forensic interpretation of non-accidental injuries. By revealing injury patterns often undetectable on clinical examination, medical imaging strengthens both the protection of vulnerable children and the integrity of judicial procedures. The aim of this study is to present a series of radiologic case analyses involving children with suspected or confirmed physical abuse, emphasizing the diagnostic value of multimodal imaging in identifying non-accidental trauma and supporting the protection of children’s rights.

Child abuse constitutes a persistent public health concern and a serious human rights violation, requiring objective, evidence-based investigative approaches. Radiologic imaging plays a pivotal role in the detection, documentation, and forensic interpretation of non-accidental injuries. By revealing injury patterns often undetectable on clinical examination, medical imaging strengthens both the protection of vulnerable children and the integrity of judicial procedures. The aim of this study is to present a series of radiologic case analyses involving children with suspected or confirmed physical abuse, emphasizing the diagnostic value of multimodal imaging in identifying non-accidental trauma and supporting the protection of children’s rights.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed on pediatric cases referred for imaging due to suspected physical abuse. Conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were systematically assessed for radiologic features characteristic of inflicted trauma. Ethical and procedural considerations relevant to maintaining human dignity and ensuring the child’s legal protection were also evaluated.

A retrospective review was performed on pediatric cases referred for imaging due to suspected physical abuse. Conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were systematically assessed for radiologic features characteristic of inflicted trauma. Ethical and procedural considerations relevant to maintaining human dignity and ensuring the child’s legal protection were also evaluated.

Results

Imaging identified multiple forms of injury across the cohort, including acute and healing fractures, subdural hematomas, and patterned soft-tissue contusions. CT proved particularly effective for skeletal and intracranial evaluation, whereas MRI demonstrated superior sensitivity in detecting parenchymal and ligamentous injuries. Correlation of findings across modalities facilitated differentiation between accidental and inflicted trauma. Radiologic documentation served as an essential evidentiary component in forensic proceedings, providing objective support for legal decision-making and reinforcing safeguards for children’s rights.

Imaging identified multiple forms of injury across the cohort, including acute and healing fractures, subdural hematomas, and patterned soft-tissue contusions. CT proved particularly effective for skeletal and intracranial evaluation, whereas MRI demonstrated superior sensitivity in detecting parenchymal and ligamentous injuries. Correlation of findings across modalities facilitated differentiation between accidental and inflicted trauma. Radiologic documentation served as an essential evidentiary component in forensic proceedings, providing objective support for legal decision-making and reinforcing safeguards for children’s rights.

Conclusion

Radiologic imaging constitutes a cornerstone of the forensic assessment of child abuse, integrating medical expertise with the broader mandate of human rights protection. Precise identification and documentation of non-accidental injuries not only underpin the pursuit of justice but also represent a fundamental ethical commitment to defending society’s most vulnerable members.

Radiologic imaging constitutes a cornerstone of the forensic assessment of child abuse, integrating medical expertise with the broader mandate of human rights protection. Precise identification and documentation of non-accidental injuries not only underpin the pursuit of justice but also represent a fundamental ethical commitment to defending society’s most vulnerable members.