[Medicolegal aspects of child abuse].
OBJECTIVE
The prevention and clinical diagnostics of maltreatment of children and adolescents represents a great challenge to all medical disciplines concerned; therefore, an interdisciplinary collaboration is indispensable.


METHODS
Medicolegal experts require specific radiological examination methods for the differentiation between accidental and non-accidental injuries, depending on the corresponding point in question. In addition, a clear and structured radiological appraisal of the findings is necessary. On the other hand, radiologists require an appropriate succinctly phrased question from the medicolegal expert.


CONCLUSIONS
A close collaboration between radiologists and medicolegal experts is mandatory for a better recognition of cases of child abuse; therefore, the joint establishment of diagnostic standards and a comprehensive implementation is necessary.
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität München, Nußbaumstraße 26, 80336, München, Deutschland. peter.hofer@med.uni-muenchen.de.
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Hofer
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität München, Nußbaumstraße 26, 80336, München, Deutschland.
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LM
Brandau
Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität München, Nußbaumstraße 26, 80336, München, Deutschland.
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Mützel
D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D010819:Physician's Role; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*
Childhood; Clinical forensic medicine; Fractures; Interdisciplinary collaboration; Shaken baby syndrome