Use of artificial neural network as a risk assessment tool in preventing child abuse

Every year Child Protection Services (CPS) in the US receive millions of reports of incidences of children being abused. CPS, by law, is required to investigate these reports and if necessary to intervene to protect the children at risk. Since resources are limited, some kind of triage is taking place. Various CPS offices use different risk assessment tools. The purpose of the paper is to report on a preliminary effort to explore the feasibility of utilizing artificial neural network technology as a risk assessment tool.