ing laws should be aggressively enforced, and regarding the efficacy, in general, of mandatory reporting. In addition, some states have specific reporting requirements, such as the Arkansas law requiring immediate reporting of deaths of nursing home residents. Research protocols should be developed that inform this debate and to track the impact and efficacy of reporting laws.

Development of a group of forensic pediatricians has reportedly improved detection, diagnosis, reporting, and prosecution of child abuse and neglect. Pilot programs to train a group of forensic geriatricians, and to identify what types of programs are most effective, should be developed and tested.

As discussed earlier in this paper, each of these potential tools should be the subject of study to determine how best to construct screening tools, forensic centers, and multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary teams (including fatality and serious-injury review teams), likely including several pilot or demonstration projects in several sites. A predicate for such research would be to examine and evaluate what is known about screening tools, forensic centers, and multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary teams used in other areas, such as child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.

There are many more areas of needed study and many more recommendations could be made. The reader is directed to Elder Justice Roundtable Report (2000).

Evidence-based forensic markers of elder abuse and neglect have attracted little research interest and therefore remain largely unidentified. No data exist regarding the number of documented forensic markers or prosecuted cases. A comprehensive research agenda should be developed that will provide the information needed to help derive accurate clinical and forensic markers for elder abuse and neglect in both living and deceased persons, in home and residential settings alike.

The significantly increased mortality rate for elder victims of abuse and neglect underscores the pressing need for a national research agenda and extensive study by the relevant disciplines to address this growing issue.

Front Matter (R1-R16)

Executive Summary (1-8)

1. Introduction (9-33)

2. Concepts, Definitions, and Guidelines for Measurement (34-59)

3. A Theoretical Model of Elder Mistreatment (60-70)

4. The Occurrence of Elder Mistreatment (71-87)

5. Risk Factors for Elder Mistreatment (88-103)

6. Screening and Case Identification in Clinical Settings (104-120)

7. Evaluating Interventions (121-139)

8. Research Ethics (140-149)

9. Moving Forward (150-152)

References (153-164)

Appendix A: Elder Mistreatment Measures and Studies (165-180)

Appendix B: Analysis of Elder Abuse and Neglect Definitions Under State Law (181-237)

Appendix C: Elder Abuse and Neglect: History and Concepts (238-248)

Appendix D: Biographical Sketches (249-258)

10. Elder Mistreatment: Epidemiological Assessment Methodology (259-302)

11. Ethical and Policy Issues in Research on Elder Abuse and Neglect (303-338)

12. The Clinical and Medical Forensics of Elder Abuse and Neglect (339-381)

13. Financial Abuse of the Elderly in Domestic Settings (382-445)

14. Elder Abuse in Residential Long-Term Care Settings: What Is Known and What Information Is Needed? (446-500)

15. Elder Abuse Intervention: Lessons from Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Initiatives (501-526)

Index (527-552)