Forensic Considerations in Ritual Trauma Cases (Part 2) - Page 6

 Child is excessively afraid of spiders, insects, and/or aggressive animals; e.g., crocodiles, sharks, large dogs, lions, tigers, dinosaurs, etc.; states that he/she was hurt or threatened with such spiders, insects, or animals  Child is terrified of being in or around water, swimming, drowning, etc., especially if an activity involves putting their head under water  Child fears that the house will be broken into, robbed, or burned down, or states that someone has threatened that this will happen  Child fears “bad people,” “robbers,” “strangers,” “spirit entities,” etc.; states that “they” will come after him/her or someone he/she cares about; watches out the window for “bad people”  Child discusses unusual places such as cemeteries, mortuaries, tunnels, church basements, underground rooms, etc., or states that he/she and/or others were taken to such places; displays irrational fears of these and/or other places  Child alludes to pictures or films of nude people, sometimes with references to sexual acts, unusual costuming, animal involvement, etc.; states that he/she was a victim of pornography, fears having picture taken, or strikes provocative poses  Child discusses drugs, pills, bad candy, alcohol, mushrooms, “bad medicine,” or injections in an age-inappropriate manner or context; may refer to drug or laxative effects, or state that he/she was given a substance that made them sick or drowsy; has general lethargy and black circles around the eyes  Child fears his/her own blood, becomes hysterical, and/or thinks he/she is dying  Child excessively fears violent movies  Child believes or fears that there is something foreign inside his/her chest or stomach; e.g., a bomb, a demon, a monster, poison, etc.  Child talks about animals, babies, and humans being hung, confined, hurt, killed, mutilated, eaten, etc.  Child experiences constant illness, severe fatigue, allergies, and somatic complaints; e.g., stomach or leg pains  Child fears or reacts poorly to certain stimuli; e.g., certain sounds, music, or high-pitched frequencies  Child has a fear of certain professions; e.g., doctors, policemen, firemen, judges, ministers, etc.  Child engages in fire-setting or pyromania  Child responds inexplicably to certain words, phrases, music, dates, etc., which could be consistent with triggering and programming  Confinement or restraint marks  Unusual marks, tattoos, burns, and/or bruises are noted on the child’s body, sometimes in patterns  Evidence of ashes, wax, or cuts on the child’s clothing or body  Evidence of dried blood in the child’s hair, scalp, fingernails, toenails, etc.

L. RELATED DISSOCIATIVE SYMPTOMS

 Repressed memory; inability to recall an important event

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