Who should be present when CPI is observing the child for injuries?

The presence of a witness during a child abuse investigation, specifically when a Child Protective Investigator (CPI) observes the child for injuries, serves several important purposes.

Firstly, having a witness ensures transparency in the process. It provides an additional layer of accountability, making sure that the CPI’s observations and actions are correctly recorded and reported. This can protect both the child and the investigator, as the witness can corroborate what occurred during the observation.

Additionally, witnesses can help manage communication and interactions between the CPI and the family, which can sometimes be tense or highly emotional. Their presence can help ensure that the child feels safer during the examination, and they may provide support if needed. This is particularly important because the investigation is focused on sensitive matters concerning the child's welfare.

In the context of this scenario, the other options do not serve the same purpose. The child's parent may have a vested interest in the situation and could affect the outcome of the observation. A court representative might be involved in legal proceedings, which can complicate the direct observation process. The attending physician may be involved in providing medical assessments but typically wouldn’t be present specifically for the observations made by the CPI.