• Sacramento County Drug-Endangered Children's (DEC) Project
  Drug-endangered children are those who suffer physical harm or neglect due to direct or indirect exposure to illegal drugs or because of living in a household where illegal drugs are used and/or manufactured (e.g., methamphetamine labs). We have established a countywide, multidisciplinary team and developed protocols addressing the identification of children by law enforcement officers and CPS social workers, screening by the CAARE Center, laboratory analysis by Sacramento County Crime Laboratory, mental health treatment by the CAARE Center, prosecution by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, and outcome research tools for the multifaceted issues involved with these victims. The researcher also participates on a DEC statewide task force.

• Initial Fracture Patterns in Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and Child Physical Abuse - Are They Different?
  In conjunction with the Department of Radiology and Shriners Hospital, this project investigates the differences in the initial fracture patterns in children from the following three groups: (1) those with a definitive diagnosis of OI; (2) those involved in a motor vehicle accident; and (3) those who are victims of child physical abuse. This is a comparative study of how the three group of fractures differ on initial clinical presentation. The results of this study will provide forensically defensible evidence in a court of law.

• Telemedicine Consultation for Evaluation and Diagnosis of Child Abuse
  In cooperation with the UC Davis Health System's Center for Health and Technology, the CAARE Center's telehealth project is providing consultation to select rural hospitals in Northern California on the evaluation and diagnosis of child abuse. The research component of this project investigates the forensic medical practitioner's satisfaction with the telemedicine equipment and consultation services. We are also designing a study to investigate the differences in cameras used to photograph sexual abuse exams.

• The Co-Occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment
  Improving Identification Through a Child-Centered Approach. We are investigating the nexus between child maltreatment and domestic violence. Using our extensive medical database, we hope to produce a more efficient system for identifying violence in the home that considers the impact of the violence on these children.

• Linking Child Physical Abuse Morbidity and Mortality to Child Protection Public Policy
  This project investigates and compares the trends in child physical abuse morbidity and mortality to Sacramento County foster care rates before and after the change in child protection public policy. Using UC Davis Medical Center and Sacramento County data, we have been observing and analyzing trends over a 12-year duration.

• The Medical Examination Upon Entry into the Foster Care System: Important Risk Factors for Medical Problems and Occult Findings of Maltreatment
  We are investigating the interactions between (1) reason for child protective custody hold; (2) medical findings upon placement in foster care; and (3) child abuse findings upon placement to foster care.

• The Healing of Female Genital Injuries in Victims of Child Sexual Abuse
  The purpose of this study is to analyze the healing process of genital injuries in children and adolescents. The findings of this study will assist forensic medical examiners in the interpretation of anatomical findings in children suspected of having been sexually abused or assaulted. We are able to document the amount of time for specific types of injuries to heal which assists in the process of evidence collection for the prosecution of suspected perpetrators.

• Newly Described Anogenital Findings Associated with Puberty and Trauma
  This study investigates specific genital anomalies and their association with puberty or the evidence of sexual abuse/assault.

For additional information on research projects conducted by the Medical Team, please contact:

Kristen Rogers, Ph.D.
Medical Researcher
(916) 734-5647
kristen.rogers@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu