10:129-2.5 Requirements for an initial investigation

10:129-2.5 Requirements for an initial investigation

	(a) The child protective investigator need not repeat a required component of the investigation when investigating a report containing more than one allegation.

		(b) The child protective investigator shall interview the alleged child victim in person and individually, except in cases of an interview at school, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16- 11.2(a)7i, during the initial investigation of a report containing any allegation. The child protective investigator shall observe each non-verbal alleged child victim. The child protective investigator shall use sensitivity to avoid further trauma to each alleged child victim.

		(c) The child protective investigator shall, in completing an initial investigation of a report containing any allegation:

		1. Complete a safety assessment;

		2. Interview, in person and individually, the caregiver and each adult in the home. The child protective investigator shall interview the alleged child victim‘s caregiver on the same day as the alleged child victim, if possible;

		3. Interview, in person and individually, except in cases of an interview at school, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-11.2(a)7i, each other child residing in the home of the alleged child victim. The child protective investigator shall observe each non-verbal child;

		4. Read and review each available prior investigation relevant to the report;

		5. Interview the reporter and each other person identified in the current report or related information as having knowledge of the incident or as having made an assessment of physical harm, including, but not limited to, the:

		i. Physician;

		ii. Medical examiner;

		iii. Coroner;

		iv. Other professional who treated the alleged child victim‘s current condition, other than the reporter;

		v. Assigned permanency worker;

		vi. Youth services provider;

		vii. Private agency caseworker; and

		viii. Other Department representative working with the alleged child victim or his or her family;

		6. Interview the alleged perpetrator, in person;

		7. Complete a Child Abuse Record Information check of each household member and each other individual regularly frequenting or living in the alleged child victim‘s home;

		8. Conduct a PROMIS/GAVEL check to identify a paramour‘s record of criminal history, when the report involves a paramour;

		9. Complete a risk assessment;

		10. Observe the environment where alleged abuse or neglect occurred or which poses a threat to the child; and

		11. Obtain and document written approval by a supervisor when seeking to eliminate any requirement listed in (c)1 through 10 above.

		(d) The child protective investigator shall assess the need to contact and cooperate with law enforcement or a prosecutor, based upon the allegation(s) made in the report when completing an initial investigation. In particular, the child protective investigator shall determine if a joint investigation is possible and consult with the investigating police officer or prosecutor before interviewing the alleged child victim, unless emergency action is needed, when completing an initial investigation of sexually transmitted diseases, sexual penetration, sexual exploitation, and sexual molestation.

		(e) The child protective investigator shall obtain a medical assessment of the injury, which may include photos or a body chart, when completing an initial investigation of a report containing any allegation that involved a physical injury and when a physician has examined the child.