Arizona Arizona Revised Statutes

§ 8-456 — Investigative function; training; voice stress analysis; recordings; criminal offenses; definitions

ARS § 8-456Title 8. Child Safety · Ch. 4. DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY · Art. 1. General Provisions

Statute text

8-456. Investigative function; training; voice stress analysis; recordings; criminal offenses; definitions A. The department shall train all investigators in forensic interviewing and processes and the protocols established pursuant to section 8-817. The training must include: 1. An evidence-informed safety assessment model to assess the safety of a child. 2. The duty to protect the legal and due process rights of children and families from the time of the initial contact through case closure. 3. Instruction on a child's rights as a crime victim and instruction on the legal rights of parents. 4. A checklist or other mechanism to assist the investigator in giving consideration to the relevant factors in each investigation. B. The office of child welfare investigations shall investigate DCS reports that contain a criminal conduct allegation as provided in sections 8-471 and 8-817. C. The department shall use an evidence-informed safety assessment model to assess the safety of a child. D. After receiving a DCS report from the centralized intake hotline pursuant to section 8-455, an investigator shall do all of the following: 1. Make a prompt and thorough investigation. An investigation must evaluate and determine the nature, extent and cause of any condition created by the parents, guardian or custodian, an adult member of the victim's household or an employee of a child welfare agency where the child is placed that is licensed by and contracted with the department that would tend to support or refute the allegation that the child is a victim of abuse or neglect and determine the name, age and condition of other children in the home. If an investigator has sufficient information to determine that the child is not a victim of abuse or neglect, the investigator may close the investigation. 2. If required by section 8-821 and subject to section 8-471, take a child into temporary custody. Law enforcement officers shall cooperate with the department to remove a child from the custody of the child's parents, guardian or custodian when necessary. E. The department may not use covert voice stress analysis during an investigation to determine if abuse or neglect exists. The department may not use overt voice stress analysis during an investigation unless the person on whom the analysis is used gives informed consent. Results of computer voice stress analysis are not admissible in court. F. After an investigation, an investigator shall: 1. Determine whether any child is in need of child safety services consistent with the evaluation and determination made pursuant to subsection D of this section. 2. If appropriate pursuant to section 8-846, offer to the family of any child who is found to be a child in need of child safety services those services that are designed to correct unresolved problems that would indicate a reason to adjudicate the child dependent. 3. Submit a written report of the investigator's investigation to:

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