AFTER A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF THE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROBLEM IN THE U.S., THE MANUAL DEFINES THE PROBLEM AND DESCRIBES THE VARIOUS FORMS IT CAN TAKE. PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS WHICH MAY LEAD AN INVESTIGATING OFFICER TO SUSPECT PHYSICAL ASSAULT, PHYSICAL NEGLECT, SEXUAL ABUSE, OR EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT OF A CHILD ARE OUTLINED. A DISCUSSION OF STATE STATUTES REGARDING THE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASES POINTS OUT THE LAWS' VARIATIONS FROM STATE TO STATE AND DESCRIBES THE MAJOR COMMON POINTS. WHO IS REQUIRED TO REPORT SUSPECTED CASES, WHAT KIND OF PROTECTION THEY ARE OFFERED, AND THE PENALTIES FOR NONREPORTING ARE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED. AFTER A REPORT IS FILED, AN INVESTIGATION MUST BE CONDUCTED; THIS ASPECT OF THE POLICE ROLE IS EXAMINED SEPARATELY. THE PURPOSE AND GOALS OF AN INVESTIGATION, THE TYPES OF INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE OBTAINED, VARIOUS INVESTIGATIVE TECNIQUES, TYPES OF EVIDENCE WHICH ARE MOST USEFUL AND GUIDELINES FOR INTERVIEWING THE CHILD ARE ALL CONSIDERED. POLICE DISPOSITION OF THE CASE IS DISCUSSED. TAKING THE CHILD INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY IF NECESSARY, ARRESTING THE ABUSING PARENTS, AND REFERRING THE CASE TO A SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY ARE ALL ACTIONS THE POLICE COULD TAKE, AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF EACH ARE EXPLORED. THE MANUAL EMPHASIZES COOPERATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS, SUCH AS SOCIAL WORKERS, IN INVESTIGATING AND DISPOSING OF CASES. THE VARIOUS TYPES OF AGENCIES WHICH ARE CONCERNED WITH CHILD ABUSE, INCLUDING MEDICAL GROUPS AND SCHOOLS, THEIR ROLES, AND WAYS IN WHICH THEY AND THE POLICE CAN HELP EACH OTHER ARE DISCUSSED. A FINAL CHAPTER GIVES SEVERAL KINDS OF RESOURCE INFORMATION FOR THE POLICE TRAINER. IT PROVIDES MATERIALS THAT ARE OF DIRECT USE IN THE CLASSROOM, INCLUDING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT GUIDELINES, SEVERAL CASE STUDIES, A PROCEDURAL FLOW CHART, AND A CHILD ABUSE TRAINING KEY; SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVELOPING MATERIALS TAILORED TO LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES; AND ADDRESSES OF ORGANIZATIONS WHERE FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (VDA)