rihannaThe Los Angeles Police Department has released a full scale investigation after a photograph of Rihanna’s bruised and bloody face was leaked on the internet.

TMZ posted the image last night following the incident earlier in the month when her boyfriend of nearly a year Chris Brown allegedly assaulted her during an argument. Rihanna has her eyes closed in the image, with bruises clearly visible on her forehead and cheeks, and her lips swollen and bloody.

After the initial incident, the LAPD confirmed that Brown had been arrested but refused to identify Rihanna as the victim, saying that she, like other victims of assault, had the right to remain anonymous.

In a released statement after the photo leak yesterday, a police spokesperson said the LAPD “takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence. A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination.”

Chris was charged with a felony-level count of making criminal threats over the incident and is due to appear in court on 5th March. Police are also said to be pursuing a charge of battery.

Rihanna, who turns 21 today, has not appeared in public since the episode but this week her dad said he expects her to speak out against domestic abuse at some point.