20.9 Determining the Findings of an Adult Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation Investigation

​​The SSW

1. Makes a written report of the investigative findings and, if necessary, a recommendation for further action upon completion of a thorough investigation, which may include interviewing all relevant parties, gathering supportive facts, obtaining written documentation and assessing risk;
2. Documents the investigative findings as follows, once the investigation is complete: 
1. Substantiated–Substantiated means that a SSW has determined that an adult is the victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation.  A substantiated finding is made as a result of a personal interview with the alleged victim and one of the following conditions:
1. An interview with the alleged perpetrator, if conducting the interview does not pose a threat to the victim, in which the individual admits to abusing, neglecting or exploiting the victim; or
2. The presence of evidentiary or supportive facts, such as medical evidence, observation of injuries, or witness testimony that reveals a preponderance of evidence. These examples are combined with other strong collaborating facts and documented in the adult assessment;
2. Found and Substantiated–An investigative finding is found and substantiated when a SSW discovers during the course of an investigation, or through a routine service contact, that an adult was the victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation, and the incident was not previously reported through the department’s intake process.  The SSW uses the same standards for a finding of found and substantiated as for a substantiated finding;
3. Unsubstantiated–A finding of unsubstantiated is used when:
1. Contact with the alleged victim reveals no evidence, facts, indicators or justification to substantiate abuse, neglect or exploitation; or
2. The location of the adult is known and attempts at contacting or conducting a personal interview with the alleged victim have been unsuccessful, and there is a lack of supportive evidence to indicate abuse, neglect or exploitation;
4. Unable to Locate–An investigative finding of unable to locate is used when the SSW cannot locate an alleged victim after repeated, diligent efforts.

The FSOS or designee: 

1. Reviews and approves the investigative finding. ¹