Child Protection Investigation Specialist (CPIS) Practice Exam

What should be prioritized during a child protection investigation?

1. Building rapport with the family

2. Gathering evidence while ensuring child safety

3. Documenting every interaction with law enforcement

4. Assessing the community support available

The correct answer is: Gathering evidence while ensuring child safety

During a child protection investigation, the most critical priority is to gather evidence while ensuring child safety. This is fundamental because the primary goal of any child protection investigation is to protect the well-being of the child involved. Ensuring child safety means taking necessary precautions to prevent any further harm while the investigation is underway. Gathering evidence is crucial for making informed decisions about the child’s safety and the overall situation. This can include collecting testimonies, physical evidence, and observations that can support a case, clarify the circumstances, and determine if there is a need for intervention. Balancing evidence collection with immediate safety needs is essential since any information gathered must be contextualized within the framework of protecting the child. While building rapport with the family and assessing community support can contribute positively to the investigation, these activities do not take precedence over ensuring that the child's safety is maintained throughout the process. Documenting interactions with law enforcement can be important as part of the overall investigative process, but the primary focus must always be on protecting the child and addressing any immediate risks they may face.