Crimes Against Children Unit

(609) 909-7972

The Crimes Against Children Unit investigates allegations of child abuse, neglect, aggravated sexual assault, physical assault, child homicide and sudden deaths of children.   These cases come to the unit from a variety of sources including the state Division of Youth and Family Services, education officials, local police departments, private citizens, local hospitals, the FBI, the United States Customs Service, United States Postal Service and the New Jersey State Police.

About one-half of the unit's investigative workload is conducted in cooperation with municipal and state police agencies.    The investigators have expertise in areas such as the determination of the cause of injury, suspect/victim relationships, court procedures for the presentation of evidence, evidence gathering procedures, and interviewing and videotaping statements of children when authorized by the Rules of Evidence.

The members of the unit also participate frequently in public forums and training seminars.   They instruct police, social workers, medical personnel and child-care providers on investigative techniques for child abuse.