For those professionals who have
the primary responsibility for the initial on-scene response to situations in which child abuse or neglect may have occurred, even when the initial call may be for another situation, such as domestic violence or a drug ofense. In most jurisdictions,
emergency medical technicians, child protective services caseworkers, and law enforcement officers generally are considered the first responders for child maltreatment cases. This manual is designed to be a
practical guide to help those in the i eld and includes step-by-step guidelines for investigating possible child maltreatment. he manual also provides information
for irst responders when responding to cases of possible child maltreatment in disaster situations, including how first responders and their agencies can prepare for disaster situations. While this manual will
be useful to all first responders, some portions may be more relevant to particular types of irst responders.