Science is helping us define and act on pediatric bruising patterns.

 

Pediatric Bruising Patterns are tell-tale bruising patterns in injured children that help physicians and forensic investigators differentiate between accidental injuries and physical abuse. Bruising on the ear, buttocks, feet, or hands, for example, are not typical of accidental injury and should alert physicians to possible abuse. Recent NIJ resources to further expand understanding of this term — and help us systemically determine action — include: Child Abuse or Accident? Bringing Science to Pediatric Emergency Departments and Forensic Investigations  Impact Sites Representing Potential Bruising Locations Associated With Rearward Falls in Children Development of a Surrogate Bruising Detection System to Describe Bruising Patterns Associated with Common Childhood Falls Bruising as a Forensic Marker of Physical Elder Abuse  LEARN MORE