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Child abuse inflicted by small children

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Abstract

In cases of child abuse, usually, the parents are initial suspects. A common explanation of the parents is that the injuries were caused by a sibling. Child-on-child violence is reported to be very rare in children less than 5 years of age, and thorough investigation by the police, child protective services, and medicolegal examinations are needed to proof or disproof the parents' statement. We report two cases of physical abuse of infants by small children.

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Acknowledgments

The authors like to thank Ms. Katharina Janssen for her support and assistance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Melatenguertel 60-62, 50823, Cologne, Germany

    K. Friedrich, K. Becker, M. A. Rothschild & S. Banaschak

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  1. K. Friedrich
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  2. K. Becker
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  3. M. A. Rothschild
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  4. S. Banaschak
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Correspondence to K. Friedrich.

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Friedrich, K., Becker, K., Rothschild, M.A. et al. Child abuse inflicted by small children. Int J Legal Med 127, 627–630 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-012-0731-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-012-0731-5

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