Downside of Being in an International Program

[sanantone]

My program at University of Florida is a joint program with University of Edinburgh in Scotland. I guess it's kind of cool to see how things work in other countries, but forensics is very legal-specific. The instructor for one of my current courses is in Scotland.

We had an assignment on child abuse, which should be easy for me because I used to assess child abuse and neglect reports. I'm fuming because I got a 91. My point deductions were based on not recommending that the medical professional contact the school for attendance and other non-medical records before making a report to law enforcement or social services. Well, the U.S. has this little law called FERPA!

I also got points taken off because I recommended that the hospital immediately contact law enforcement or social services after the father left the hospital with a young child covered in bruises after telling a suspicious story and before the child could be examined. My instructor thinks that the hospital should contact various family members and basically conduct their own investigation before making a report. 

Do you know what is the problem with this? In the U.S., states have mandated reporter laws. If a medical professional suspects abuse, and the injuries aren't consistent with an accident or a known medical condition, then they have to report. The UK has no mandated reporting law!