Peer-reviewed article
ENHANCING INTERDISCIPLINARY COOPERATION IN THE INVESTIGATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITHIN "GREEN ROOM" FACILITIES
O. P. Babkina, Volodymyr Dem’ianovych Mishalov, Marta Garazdiuk ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view ·Key points
Limitations
Abstract
The article substantiates the necessity of unified standards for interdisciplinary collaboration among law enforcement officers, forensic experts, medical professionals, and psychologists in documenting violence against children. Specific pathways for improving such collaboration through the implementation of the "Green Room" methodology are proposed. Objective. To substantiate the necessity of unified standards for interdisciplinary collaboration among law enforcement officers, forensic experts, medical professionals, and psychologists in documenting violence against children using the "Green Room" methodology. Materials. The research materials comprised official data from the Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, the Juvenile Police of Ukraine, the National Social Service of Ukraine, alongside 24 archival expert conclusions from the State Institution "Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine." Standard methods of variational statistics were employed. Results. The necessity of unified standards for interdisciplinary collaboration among law enforcement officers, forensic experts, medical professionals, and psychologists in documenting violence against children has been substantiated, prompting the proposal of the following measures: 1) mandatory implementation of the "Green Room" methodology both within the law enforcement system and across multidisciplinary teams—comprising law enforcement officers, a forensic medical expert, a psychologist, and medical specialists (e.g., pediatric gynecologists, proctologists, and others, depending on the injury type)—when documenting violence against children and adolescents; 2) mandatory reporting by medical professionals to law enforcement authorities regarding identified cases of violence against children; 3) inclusion of a forensic medical expert in the multidisciplinary team operating within the "Green Room." Conclusions. The implementation of the "Green Room" methodology in investigating violence against children and adolescents, in accordance with European standards, can enhance the effectiveness and quality of interaction among law enforcement agencies, social services, medical institutions, forensic experts, and other relevant bodies. The involvement of forensic medical experts is crucial for improving the timeliness and quality of recording and documenting cases of violence against minors in a "child-friendly room." Establishment of a child-friendly space based at the Center for Forensic Examinations of the State Institution "Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine" represents a promising advancement. Through the engagement of in-house forensic medical experts, psychologists, psychiatrists, law enforcement officers, alongside specialized medical practitioners when necessary, interviews and examinations can be conducted can be conducted in a safe environment tailored to the child's needs. It is advisable to develop and adhere to unified standards of interagency cooperation among law enforcement officers, medical professionals/forensic experts, and psychologists during investigative actions with minors in the "Green Room" setting.