ANYTHING NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE WELL-BEING OF A CHILD, INCLUDING 'ACTS OF OMISSION' AS WELL AS 'COMMISSION,' IS HERE DEFINED AS CHILD ABUSE. ALL CASES OF SUSPECTED ABUSE MUST BE INVESTIGATED CAREFULLY TO ENSURE THAT INNOCENT PARTIES ARE NOT FALSELY ACCUSED. PROPER PROCEDURE FOR INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF AN INFANT OR CHILD MUST INCLUDE COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION (PHOTOGRAPHS, DIAGRAMS, AND INTERVIEW RESULTS) AND AN OBSERVATION OF THE SCENE OF DEATH. THE PATHOLOGIST SHOULD ALSO NOTE THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF THE FAMILY, THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THEIR REACTIONS TO AND EXPLANATIONS OF THE DEATH. THE CHILD'S MEDICAL HISTORY MUST BE STUDIED; DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN INJURIES AND EXPLANATIONS GIVEN FOR THEIR PRESENCE ARE AN INDICATION OF CHILD ABUSE. A MEDICOLEGAL AUTOPSY IS REQUIRED WHENEVER THE DEATH OF A CHILD HAS NOT RESULTED FROM A WELL-DOCUMENTED, FATAL, NATURAL DISEASE UNRELATED TO INJURY OR POISONING. DOCUMENTATION OF INJURIES IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE AND, WHEN FEASIBLE, TOTAL BODY X RAYS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO DELINEATE THE PRESENCE AND AGE OF SKELETAL INJURIES. THE DUTIES OF THE FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST IN DEALING WITH ALLEGEDLY ABUSED OR BATTERED CHILDREN INCLUDE: (1) EDUCATING LAY AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE AND REPORT CASES OF ABUSE; (2) PROTECTING THE INNOCENT INDIVIDUAL WHO MAY BE ACCUSED OF ABUSE; (3) HELPING TO ENSURE SURVIVING SIBLINGS OF PROTECTION FROM ABUSE; AND (4) PROVIDING EXPERT OPINION AND TESTIMONY. THREE CASES ILLUSTRATING ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN ARE ANALYZED.