5 Tips on How to Document Spouse Abuse in a Patient

It often is difficult to remember how to document spouse abuse in patients. You don't want to lose important evidence that can make or break a spouse abuse case. You need to document evidence of abuse because abusers often deny that the abuse existed in the first place. Here are five tips on how to document spouse abuse in patients.

Measure Bruises

Make sure that you measure bruises in every picture that you take on the patient. You want it as correct as possible for the court case to help your patient. You need to supply a copy of it to the police, unless they already have their own pictures.

Obtain Several Witnesses

You want several people to see the bruises on the victim. Make sure to have plenty of staff members there to witness that the bruises actually existed. The more statements made to police about the bruises will build more credibility in the court case in favor of the patient.

Take Pictures of Evidence

Take pictures of torn clothes and wounds regardless of size. Take pictures of damaged items such as broken items that the abuser threw to stop the victim from calling the police. Make sure to take pictures of the victim along with the bruises to show that they were actually on the victim and not someone else.

Take pictures of any letters that the victim may have written to you about the abuse. Make sure that your camera is on zoom when you take a picture of the letter. Make sure to also have several staff members see the letter so they can verify that it really exists.

Save Blood Tests Results

Do not discard blood tests since you need those to show that the victim was not under any illegal drugs when she came forward about the abuse that happened to her. Blood tests are often used in court to her advantage so the abuser can't say that she was on drugs or intoxicated at the time.

Show Evidence of Neglect

Is the victim disabled? Make sure to note any neglect from the abuser. Does the abuser not give her a bath on a regular basis ? It is a form of abuse. Note any strong body odor and dirty clothes. You have to protect vulnerable disabled adults or elderly as well as everyone else.

Your job to properly document spouse abuse is to measure bruises accurately, several witnesses, and take pictures of evidence. You need to save blood test results and show neglect evidence as well.