Which of the following factors are essential to assess when determining potential abuse?

In evaluating potential abuse, the consistency and location of injuries on a child are crucial indicators. This assessment helps identify patterns that may suggest abusive behavior rather than accidental injury. For example, certain types of injuries or their placements on the body can raise red flags if they align with known abusive conduct. Furthermore, if the nature of the injuries is not consistent with the explanation given, it can further suggest that abuse may have occurred.

When determining abuse, it is not sufficient to consider factors in isolation. Family background alone or only focusing on a child's age may lack context and fail to reveal crucial insights regarding the dynamics of the family or the circumstances surrounding the child's well-being. While the presence of witnesses can provide valuable information, it does not replace the importance of determining the physical evidence of abuse through examining injury characteristics. Thus, focusing on injury location and consistency gives a more comprehensive picture for assessing potential abuse.