The Los Angeles Police Department said it's looking into how a photo purportedly of Rihanna and showing the singer's battered face was leaked onto the Internet.

TMZ Thursday ran the photo, which shows a young woman with closed eyes, bumps on her forehead, and lacerations and blood on her face. The entertainment Web site said the photo was taken after the 21-year-old recording artist's alleged altercation with her 19-year-old boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, on Feb. 8. Brown was arrested the day of the alleged incident and is due to be arraigned next month.

"The photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official domestic violence investigation," the LAPD said in a statement issued to People magazine. "The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence."

The LAPD added that it "began receiving numerous inquiries (Thursday night) about the release of a photograph associated with a domestic violence incident that occurred on Feb. 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris Brown."

The department immediately began an internal investigation and is asking for the public's asssitance for "information concerning the unauthorized release of the photograph," People.com said.

"A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination," police said.