Year Published: 2013
Authors: Shanaaz Mathews, Naeemah Abrahams, Rachel Jewkes and Lorna J Martin
Publisher: Health and Medical Publishing Group
Suggested Citation: Mathews S, Abrahams N, Jewkes R & Martin LJ (2013) Underreporting child abuse deaths: Experiences from a national study on child homicide. South African Medical Journal, 103(3): 132-133.
While undertaking research for the recent National Female and Child Homicide Study, it became apparent that medical practitioners, and especially forensic pathologists, often deviate from their legal and ethical obligations when the cause of a death raises suspicion of child abuse or neglect.