Felony – Generally, any criminal offence for which the penalty is imprisonment for more than one year. Murder, rape, and armed robbery are crimes usually considered felonies.

Felony Murder – See Homicide.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – A congenital syndrome caused by intrauterine exposure to alcohol. Characteristics include intra and axtrauterine growth retardation, microcephaly (small head), and mental retardation.

Fetal Death (Common) Death of pregnancy after approximately 20 weeks.

Fracture – Any break of crack in bone or cartilage.
• Basilar Skull – A fracture to the base of the skull which will often result in spinal fluid leaking from the nose or ear.
• Bucket Handle Tears – Total fracture of a long bone so that it is floating loose.
• Chip – A small piece of bone is separated from the main body of the bone; avulsion fracture.
• Comminuted – A bone broken into a number of pieces.
• Compound – A broken bone that protrudes through the skin.
• Egg Shell – A fracture of the skull that looks like a broken egg on an x-ray.
• Greenstick – The bone is bent and there is an incomplete fracture in the convex side of the curve. Common among young children.
• Incomplete – The line of the fracture does not include the entire bone.
• Occult – A fracture that is not visible on x-ray.
• Pathologic – A fracture occurring at a site weakened by a preexisting disease, as seen in osteogenesis imperfecta, tumors, or Gaucher’s Disease.
• Simple – A break in a bone without displacement of the bone pieces.
• Spiral – A break in a long bone which is spiral shape, resulting from twisting of the extremity.

Gaucher’s Disease – A rare, familial disease in infants, which may cause fractures. Gaucher’s Disease is a differential diagnosis for child abuse.

Gluteal – Referring to the buttock.

Good Cause Removal – A cause which bears a reasonable relationship to an individual’s unfitness to discharge the duties assigned or is in a reasonable sense detrimental to the interest or purpose to the Child Death Review Team.

Gross Examination – In medicine, a physical examination without the aid of radiologic instruments or surgical entry.

Group Home – A type of foster care in which care is provided in a small group setting.

Guardian – An adult who is legally responsible for a child. A guardian has almost all the rights and powers of a parent, but the legal relationship is subject to termination and change. A guardian may also have physical custody of the child.

Guardian ad litem – A lawyer or non-lawyer who represents the best interest of a child in a child welfare court proceeding.

Hematemesis – Vomiting of bright red blood, often resulting from internal injury.

Hematoma – Swelling caused by the accumulation of blood in the body tissues.
• Intramural of the Duodenum – A hematoma occurring in the wall of the duodenum. Occurs only from trauma.

Hematuria – Blood in the urine.

Hemophilia – An inherited disorder of the blood in which there is a defect in its ability to clot, resulting in a tendency to hemorrhage.

Hemorrhage – Bleeding.
• Intra-abdominal – bleeding within the abdomen.
• Intracerebral – Bleeding within the brain.
• Intracranial – Bleeding within the skull.
• Intradermal – Bleeding within the skin. See Bruise.
• Retinal – Bleeding into the inner lining of the eye, hallmark of whiplash and Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Hemostaiss Screen – A laboratory study pefomred to determine whether or not a child has a bleeding or bruising tendency.

Hepatic – Pertaining to the liver.

Homicide (official – criminal justice) – Death caused by another with the intent to kill or severely injure. (See Child Abuse and Neglect – Fatal).
• Murder – The unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. Malice aforethought requires premeditated intent plus an element of hatred.
• Felony Murder – The unintentional killing of a human being during the commission of a felony.
• Manslaughter – An unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought.
• Voluntary Manslaughter – An intentional killing committed under circumstances which, although they do not justify the homicide, mitigate it.
• Involuntary Manslaughter – Criminally negligent homicide, such as a death resulting from the negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Homicide (common but not official) – Death at the hands of another (without reference to intent).

Homicide (Vital Statistics) – International Classification of Diseases (CodesE960-E969) - deaths due to “injuries inflicted by another person with intent to injure or kill by any means (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 1989, p. 1042).

Homicide Detective (Investigator) – A police or sheriff department investigator with an expertise in homicide investigations.

Hospital Shopping – The use by a person or family of different medical facilities so that each individual medical facility’s sole contact with the person or family is a single presenting injury.

Hydrocephalus – “Water on the Brain,” in infants, an accumulation of fluid in the subarachnoid or subdural spaces of the brain.
Hyperactive – More active than normal. The term becomes synonymous with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADDH or ADHD or ADD), that is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

Hyperemia – An excess of blood in a part of the body causing reddening of the skin; it disappears when pressure is applied.

Hyperpigmentation – Increased pigmentation of the skin.

Hyperthermia – High body temperature.

Hyphema – Hemorrhaging into the anterior chamber of the eye, often appearing as a bloodshot eye. Blows to the head or violent shaking are two possible causes. See Hemorrhage-Retinal.

Hypoactive – Less active than normal.

Hypothermia – Low body temperature.

Hypothalamus – The portion of the brain which controls and integrates functions such as general regulation of water balance, body temperature, sleep, food intake, and the development of secondary sex characteristics.

Hypovitaminosis – A condition caused by a deficiency of one or more essential vitamins.
Idealization – In psychology, attributing exaggerated positive qualities to self or other, e.g., a child may idealize an absent or abusive parent.

Identification – In psychology, increasing feelings of worth by identifying oneself with a person or institution of illustrious standing.

Identification with the Aggressor – In psychology, a defense mechanism consisting of imitation of the aggressor.

Impassivity – A state of not feeling or showing emotion.

Incest – Sexual intercourse between persons who are closely related by blood. While incest between parent and child or siblings is almost universally forbidden, various cultures may extend the boundaries to prohibit intercourse with other relatives. In the U.S., the prohibition against incest is specified by state laws as well as by cultural tradition. States usually define incest as marriage or sexual relationships between relatives who are closer than second, or sometimes even more distant, cousins. While incest and sexual abuse are often thought to be synonymous, incest is only one type of sexual abuse.

Incidence – In epidemiology, the extent to which a problem occurs in a given population.

Independent Living – A possible permanency plan for a child in foster care in which the goal is self-sufficiency after discharge from foster care.

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) – A federal law which specifies the manner in which child welfare agencies and child welfare courts must handle cases involving Native American and Alaska Native Children.

Infant – Child under one year of age. See Neonate.

Infanticide – The killing of an infant or of many infants.

Injury – Refers to any force whether it be physical, chemical, thermal, or electrical that results in harm or death.

Intentional Injury Death – Public health term used to define death caused by another with the intent to cause harm. See Competent Intent.

Intern – Student trainee, also refers to a physician’s first year of work after medical school.

Intent – Desire to cause to happen. See Competent Intent.

Intraocular – Within the eye.

Intravenous –Within a vein.

Judgement – The court’s final decision.

Jurisdiction – A court’s authority over the subject matter, the person, and the rendering of a particular order or judgement.

Juvenile Court – See Child Welfare Court.

Kinship Care (Relative Placement) – Residential caregiving provided to children by nonparental relatives. Kinship care may be full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent, and may be initiated by private family agreement or under the custodial supervision of a child welfare agency.

Laceration – A torn or jagged wound caused causing a splitting or tearing in the external skin surface in addition to the deep tissue.

Language Delay – A situation in which a child’s language abilities are considerably poorer than the abilities of most children of the same age.

Lateral – Occurring on, or pertaining to, the side.

Lesion – Any injury to any part of the body from any cause that results in damage or loss of structure or function of the body tissue involved. A lesion may be caused by poison, infection, dysfunction, or violence, and may be either intentional or unintentional.

Lethargy – A state marked by loss of energy, inactivity, sluggishness, or excessive drowsiness.

Leukemia – A malignant disease of blood forming elements. Children suffering from leukemia may present petechiae or bleeding which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children who bruise easily.

Listserv – Computerized one-to-many electronic mail system that allows individuals to share information with a group.

Local Child Death Review Team – A Child Death Review Team that operates within a specific area within a state, i.e., county, reservation, or other geographical area. See Multidisciplinary Team.

Long Bones – Bones of the arms (ulna, radius, numerous) and legs (femur, tibia, fibula).

Malnutrition – A condition caused by inadequate nourishment.

Maltreatment – See Child Abuse and Neglect.

Mandated Agency – The agency designated by state law to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. The specific agency varies from state to state.

Mandated Reporters – Persons designated by state law who are legally responsible for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect to the mandated agency within their state. Mandated reporters vary according to state law, but are primarily professionals, such as doctors, nurses, school personnel, and social workers who have frequent contact with children and families.

Mandible – The bone of the lower jaw.

Manner of Death – The legal classification, whether natural, suicide, homicide, accidental, or undetermined.

Manslaughter – See Homicide.

Master – A person appointed by a court in certain cases to hear testimony and make reports that, if approved by the court, become the decision of the court. In some states, masters may hear child welfare court cases. Also referred to as referee or commissioner.

Mechanism of Death – The physical reason for a death (e.g., head trauma caused brain swelling which caused decreased brain function which caused the heart and/or lungs to stop functioning).

Medial – Towards the middle or mid-line.

Medical Cause – Refers to death resulting from a natural cause other than SIDS.

Medical Examiner – An official whose duty it is to investigate sudden, suspicious, or violent death to determine the cause. See Coroner.

Medical Neglect – Generally, the repeated failure of parents or caretakers to comply with recommendations from medical professionals for the treatment of a child’s condition. Individual states may define the term differently.

Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome – A rare, genetic disorder which blocks absorption of copper in the gastrointestinal system, causing brittle bones and eventual death. It is a differential diagnosis for child abuse.

Mesentery – Membranes which cover abdominal organs and attach the bowel to the abdominal wall. The mesentery may be injured in interabdominal trauma or inflames, as with peritonitis.

Metaphysis – The area of bone between the epiphyses (extremities) and diaphysis (shaft) which flares out at the end of long bones. It contains the growth zone of the bone.

Minor – See Child.

Misdemeanor – Criminal offenses that are less severe than felonies and generally punished by lesser fines or by jail terms which do not exceed a year.

Mode or Manner of Death – Official category for a death certificate (homicide, suicide, undetermined, accidental, natural).

Mongolian Spot – A type of birthmark that appears most frequently on a child’s lower back or buttocks. These dark pigmented areas usually fade by age five. They are sometimes confused with bruises.

Multidisciplinary Team – In child welfare, a group of professionals representing various disciplines who meet to coordinate their efforts in diagnosing and treating specific cases of child abuse and neglect. A multidisciplinary team may also address the general problem of child abuse and neglect in their community. See Local Child Death Review Team.

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy – A pattern of abuse in which the perpetrator, usually a parent, will fabricate medical histories, inflict physical findings, alter laboratory specimens and induce disorders in a child to give the appearance that the child is ill.

Murder – See Homicide.

National Crime Information Center (NCIC) – Criminal justice information systems operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C.

Natural Cause – Death resulting from inherent, existing conditions. Natural causes include congenital anomalies, disease, other medical causes, and SIDS.

Neglect – See Child Neglect.

Negligence – In the law, doing something that a person of ordinary prudence would not do, or the failure to do something that a person of ordinary prudence would do, under given circumstances.

Neonate – Infant under one month of age.

Neurologic Sequelae – A diseased condition of the nervous system resulting from previous disease. In abused children, the condition may result from previous abuse.
Non-Intentional Injury Death – Public health term to replace accidental death.

Occipital – Back of the head.

Ossification – The process during which immature or new bone or cartilage is converted into bone.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta – A genetic condition which causes bone to be brittle and prone to fracture. It is a differential diagnosis for child abuse.

Osteomyelitis – Inflammation of bone caused by a bacterial organism.

Paralysis – Complete or partial loss of functioning, usually involving motor function in a part of the body.

Paramedic – See EMT-Paramedic.

Parens Patriae – “Parent of the country.” Refers to the role of the state as sovereign and the guardian of persons under legal disability. It is through parens patriae that the state investigates possible child abuse and neglect, and places a child in foster care.

Passive – In psychology, not reacting visibly to something that might be expected to produce manifestations of an emotion or feeling.

Pathognomonic – Specifically distinctive or characteristic of a disease or pathologic condition; a sign or symptom on which a diagnosis can be made.

Pathologist Physician with residency training in pathology. See Forensic Pathologist, Pediatric Pathologist and Forensic Pediatric Pathologist.

Petechiae – See Hemorrhage – Intradermal.

Petition – In the law, a formal, written request to the court that it do something. The petition is a pleading that begins a court case. It contains the facts and circumstances upon which a court is asked to provide certain relief as well as the relief being sought.

Physical Abuse – See Child Abuse.

Pia Mater – The fine vascular membrane that envelopes the brain and spinal cord. It is located below the arachnoid and the dura mater.

Plaintiff – In a civil case, the person who files a lawsuit.

Pleadings – In the law, formal allegations of the claim and defenses raised by the parties to the court case.

Posterior – In human anatomy, the back surface of the body.

Postpartum Depression – Depression which may occur after child birth.

Premature Infant – An infant born after thirty-seven weeks gestation by before full term and, arbitrarily, an infant weighing 2.2 - 2.5 pounds at birth. This definition varies.

Prenatal – Occurring before birth.

Preventable Death – A child’s death is considered to be preventable if the community (through legislation, education, etc.) or an individual (through reasonable precaution, supervision, or action) could have done that which could have changed the circumstances that led to the death.

Prevention – In public health, the keeping of something (such as an illness) from happening. There are three general levels of care designed for prevention:
• Primary – The first level of care, designed to prevent the occurrence of disease and promote health.
• Secondary – The second level of care, based on the earliest possible identification of disease so that it can be more readily treated or managed and adverse sequelae can be prevented.
• Tertiary – The third level of care, concerned with promotion of independent function and prevention of further disease-related deterioration.

Probable Cause – In the law, a requisite element of a valid search and seizure or of an arrest, which consists of the existence of facts and circumstances within one’s knowledge that are sufficient to warrant the belief that a crime has been committed (in the context of an arrest) or that property subject to seizure is at a designated location (in the context of a search and seizure). Whether probable cause exists depends of the independent judgement of a “detached magistrate.”

Prosecution – The act of pursuing a lawsuit or criminal trial; also, the party initiating a criminal suit.

Proximal – Those parts of the body, or portions of the bone, that are closest to the trunk or to the point of origin.

Psychosis – In psychology, a mental disorder causing gross impairment of a person’s mental capacity, affecting response and capacity to recognize reality.

Public Law 96-272 – See Child Welfare and Adoption Assistance Act.

Purpura – See Hemorrhage – Intradermal.

Radiolucent – In medicine, a part of a body or object which permits the passage of x-rays without leaving a shadow on the film. Soft tissues are radiolucent, bones are not.

Rarefaction – Loss of density; on an x-ray, an area of bone which appears lighter than normal is in a state of rarefaction indicating a loss of calcium.

Rationalization – In psychology, attempting to prove that one’s behavior is “rational” and justifiable, and thus worthy of self and social approval.

Reaction Formation – In psychology, the substitution of behavior, thoughts, or feelings which are diametrically opposed to the person’s own unacceptable ones. For example, a parent feels guilty about lack of bonding with the child and instead overindulges the child.

Reasonable Effort – In child welfare, the ordinary diligence and care by a child welfare agency to identify child protection problems and provide services to solve those problems so as to prevent out-of-home placement or promote family reunification.

Reconsideration – In child welfare, the process of periodically reassessing and redeveloping the permanency and case plans.

Records Request Form – Standardized forms, which generally are state approved, for requesting records on individual cases.

Recurrent Otitis Media – Repeated inflammation of the middle ear. It is the leading cause of hearing loss in children.

Referee – See Master.

Regression – In psychology, retreating to an earlier developmental level involving less mature responses and, usually, a lower level of aspiration.

Regulation – For a governmental agency, directions for the operation of the agency, developed by the agency to implement its statutory responsibilities. Regulations have the force and effect of law when issued following notice to the public and an opportunity for the public comment.

Relative Placement – See Kinship Care.

Repression – In psychology, a defense mechanism in which the person is unable to remember disturbing feelings, thoughts, or experiences.

Reporting (By law – Child Death) – Comminication among professionals, which includes data reports: Child Abuse and Neglect Reports, FBI-UCR-SHR Reports (Federal Bureau of Investigation-Uniform Crime Report-Supplemental Homicide Report), Coroner’s Reports, Vital Statistics, State CACI, CWS/CMS, Auto Accidents, etc. (See homicide).

Resident – In medicine, a post-intern trainee in an official training program (e.g., pediatrics).

Retinal hemorrhage – Bleeding in the retina of the eye.

Reviewable Death – Death which has been reported as having met criteria for review by the Child Death Review Team, whether or not the review has yet been completed and reported.

Reviewed Death – Death which has been reviewed by a local Child Death Review Team; a report completed and submitted to the State Child Death Review Team.

Rickets – Condition of delaying maturation of the bones caused by a Vitamin D deficiency. May be seen with severe malnutrition, hypoparathyroidism, and renal disease.

Risk Assessment – A structured gathering and evaluation of information related to factors in a child’s family, home environment, temperament, and conditions, to determine the presence, level, and type of risk(s) to the child’s current and future safety and welfare. As relevant factors change, risk assessment must therefore be conducted over the life of a case.

Risk Factors – Refers to a person, thing, event, etc., that put an individual at an increased likelihood of incurring injury, disability or death.

Rubella – An infectious viral disease with particular effects on fetuses (possibly causing abnormalities) or newborn infants. One of the early manifestations may be petechiae or easy bruising. There also may be associated bone lesions that may be confused with child abuse.

Rupture – The break of an organ or other soft part.

Sacral Area – Lower part of the back.

Scapula – The flat, triangular bone in the back of the shoulder; the shoulder blade.

Scar – The dense, fibrous tissue that is left behind by the healing of injured tissue.

Sclera – The rough white outer layer of the eyeball.

Search Warrant – An order issued by a judge and directing certain law enforcement officers to conduct a search of specified premises for specified things or persons, and to bring them before the court. Use of a search warrant is required by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Secondary Infection – Infection by a microorganism following an infection by another microorganism.

Seizure – Involuntary muscular contraction and relaxation originating from the “short circuit” of the central nervous system. Seizures vary in pattern, length, and intensity. Causes include fever, tumors, injuries, or epilepsy.

Sequelae – The aftereffects of an injury or disease process. In child abuse, this term usually refers to the psychological or physical outcomes which result from being abused or neglected.

Serology – The study of blood serum for evidence of infection.

Sexual Abuse – See Child Sexual Abuse.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (Infection) (STD or STI) – Disease transmitted by sexual contact, including chlamydia, trichomonas, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV. The presence of a STD in a child is an indicator of possible sexual abuse. However some STDs are passed on to the fetus during pregnancy or at birth.

Shaken Baby Syndrome – Characterization of head injuries to a young child caused by shaking without impact. Injury to an infant or child resulting from violent, repetitive shaking. Pathognomonic findings include intracranial hemorrhaging, retinal hemorrhaging, and no cutaneous manifestations of injury. Survivors are frequently left with profound neurologic sequelae, e.g., blindness, deafness, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and seizures.

Shaken Impact Syndrome – Characterization of head injuries to a young child occurring with both shaking and impact. Different from Shaken Baby Syndrome which does not include impact.

Shelter Hearing – See Emergency Removal Hearing.

Skeletal Series of X-rays – Defined series of x rays designed to find most fractures. See Baby Gram.

Skeletal Survey – A series of x-rays taken of all the bones of the body.
Smothering – Specifically refers to asphyxiation of the nose and mouth usually by a hand or soft object. Mechanical asphyxia resulting from external pressure on the body preventing chest movement and breathing.

Social Isolation – The limited interaction and contact of many abusing or neglecting parents with relatives, neighbors, friends, or community resources. Social isolation can perpetuate a basic lack of trust, which hinders both the identification and the treatment of child abuse and neglect.

Somatization – In psychology, a pathology in which a person becomes preoccupied with physical symptoms disproportionate to any actual physical disturbance. May be seen in victims of sexual abuse.

Splitting – In psychology, a defense mechanism in which a person views self and others as all good or all bad, failing to integrate the positive and the negative qualities of self and others into cohesive images. Often the person alternately idealizes and devalues the same person.

Spooning (Fingering) – A folk remedy from Southeast Asia for pain relief. The middle knuckle of the index finger or a spoon is firmly rubbed along the surface of the skin in any area of an ill person’s body, especially along the spine, behind the knees, in the bend of both arms, and on the chest from just above the nipple to mid-clavicle. If a raised line appears, no further treatment it necessary.

Standard of Proof – An amount of probability necessary for court to render a decision regarding the evidence presented to it. There are three different standards of proof.
• Beyond a Reasonable Doubt – The amount of probability required to find a criminal defendant guilty. The proof must be so conclusive and complete that the ordinary person could not reasonably deny it.
• Clear and Convincing Evidence – An amount of probability less than beyond a reasonable doubt but more than probable cause. It is used in some civil cases, including termination of parental rights cases. The proof must produce a firm belief of truth to the trier of the fact.
• Preponderance of Evidence – The amount of proof required in most civil cases, including child welfare cases (except for termination of parental rights proceedings). The proof must be more likely than not.

State Child Death Review Team – An appointed body of representatives that oversees the local child death review process, reports to the governor annually on the incidence of child fatalities, and recommends prevention measures based on the data. See Child Death Review Teams.

Statute – A law passed by a legislative body.

Sternum – The bone that runs down the front part of the chest; the breast bone.

Stillborn – Potentially viable fetus born dead.

Strangulation – Asphyxia caused by external pressure applied to the neck either by the use of hands or a ligature (rope).
Subarachnoid Bleeding – Bleeding that occurs between the pia and the arachnoid membrane of the central nervous system.

Subcutaneous – Beneath the skin.

Subdural hematoma – Bleeding between the internal lining of the skull and the brain.

Subgaleal – The inner lining of the scalp. A site of hemorrhage frequently secondary to hair pulling.

Subpoena – In the law, a command to appear at a certain time and place, on a certain date, and the give testimony on a certain matter.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – Sudden death of an infant which is unexpected by clinical history review, death scene investigation and in which a thorough postmortem examination, including autopsy, fails to demonstrate an adequate cause. A diagnosis of exclusion made when there is no underlying cause of death can be identified. It is not caused by abuse or neglect.

Suffocation – Asphyxia caused by a general deprivation of oxygen either from obstruction of external airways or lack of breathable gas in the environment.

Suicide – Death of self caused with intent. See Intent.

Summons – In the law, a document used to commence a civil action or special processing. A summons is issued by a court to the sheriff (or other designated official), requiring them to notify the person named that an action has been commenced against the person and that the person is required to appear on a day named and answer the complaint.

Syndrome – A group of signs and symptoms that occur together and are typical of a particular disorder or disease.

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) – A legal process that severs the legal relationship between parents and the child and vests authority in the child welfare agency. The TPR order places the child in the guardianship of the child welfare agency and gives the agency the right to consent to adoption or long-term care short of adoption.

Testimony – Evidence given by a competent witness under oath or affirmation, as distinguished from evidence derived from written or other sources.

Thorax – Chest area, encompassing the heart, lungs, and ribs.

Torsion – Twisting, as of a limb.

Tracking (Child Deaths) – Following cases over time and/or geography

Traction – Drawing or pulling, as in setting a bone.

Trauma – An injury or wound brought about by an outside force. Trauma may be caused unintentionally, or, as in physical abuse, intentionally. Trauma also refers to physiological discomfort or symptoms resulting from an emotional shock or painful experience.

Trend – In child death surveillance, refers to the changes occurring in the number and distribution of child deaths.

Undetermined Death – Death where the mode of death is not clear. (See Mode of Death. Also see Child Abuse and Neglect – Fatal, and Homicide).

Unsupervised Death – Death which data suggests that the decedent may not have had adequate supervision at the time of the fatal injury or death event. Defining variables include reports that the event was unwitnessed, that the caretaker was asleep at the time (except under normal sleeping hours), or that there was no adult caretaker present.

Unintentional Death – Refers to the act that resulted in death being one that was not deliberate, willful, or planned.

Vascular – Pertaining to or containing blood vessels.

Venereal Disease – See Sexually Transmitted Disease.

Venue – Related to the locality of the court or courts, which possess jurisdiction.

Vertical Team Prosecution – A prosecution in which every member of the prosecution team is the same throughout the trial.

Vesicle – Blisters containing fluid.

Viable Fetus – A fetus that would be able to live outside the uterus if born as defined by experts.

Victims of Crime Fund – Money available to serve crime victims through a federal and/or state program with local officials having responsibility for distribution of funds.

Visceral – Pertaining to the internal organs.

Vital Signs – Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.

Vitreous – The material that encloses the major portion of the eye, which is normally clear. With an eye injury there may be hemorrhaging and the area may turn red.

Welt – Minor damage to the skin or to the blood vessels directly underneath the skin caused by a blow or a cut. Does not involve bleeding.

Whiplash – See Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Witness – A person who has first-hand knowledge of the illness/injury/event leading to injury, disability or death. This excludes information obtained from other persons. A person inflicting injury on a child or identified as a perpetrator is not considered a witness. The witness may or may not be in charge or providing immediate care for the child and may or may not have custody of the child. First-hand knowledge usually includes seeing or hearing the illness/injury/event occur.

Wound Pattern – Wounds that are close together, similar size and shape, and inflicted in the same area of the body.