Child Abuse Allegations
The Hardest Cases: When Children Die, Justice Can Be Elusive
The Child Cases: Guilty Until Proven Innocent
The Child Cases
PBS Frontline, ProPublica and NPR investigation from June 28, 2011 on sudden child deaths and the scientific research that has shown that investigations have been mishandled by medical examiners and coroners. This link contains a 30 minute documentary that can be watched online as well as articles and interviews on the topic
Science-Dependent Prosecution and the Problem of Epistemic Contingency: A Study of Shaken Baby Syndrome
Law review article by Deborah Tuerkheimer that describes the trajectory of Shaken Baby Syndrome in criminal courts and critiques how criminal justice evolves in the wake of scientific change.
Aleman v. Village of Hanover Park
662 F.3d 897 (2011). 1983 claim where 7th Circuit Court of Appeals recognizes an interim lucid period between shaking and collapse
Shaken-Baby Syndrome Faces New Questions in Court
by Emily Bazelon, New York Times Magazine
A biomechanical analysis of the causes of traumatic brain injury in infants and children
by W. Goldsmith and J. Plunkett, Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2004 Jun; 25(2):89-100.
A biomechanical analysis of the causes of traumatic brain injury in infants and childrenRead More
The cutaneous manifestations and common mimickers of physical child abuse
by Shawna S. Mudd and Jeanne S. Findlay, J Pediatr Health Care. (2004). 18,123-129. Contact Sarah Rackley Olson about how to view the full text of this article.
The cutaneous manifestations and common mimickers of physical child abuseRead More
Accidental Scald Burns in Sinks
by M. Olivia Titus, Amy L. Baxter, and Suzanne P. Starling in Pediatrics 111(2):e191. (2003). This article evaluates accidental burn injuries similar to those found in inflicted injury and discusses information needed to distinguish the causes.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Child Sexual Abuse
US DOJ guide on investigative techniques, using the presence of sexually transmitted disease, and identifying and eliminating suspects in sexual abuse cases.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Child Sexual AbuseRead More
Burn Injuries in Child Abuse
US DOJ publication that gives information used by law enforcement officers and medical professionals to distinguish intentional burns from accidental contact. It includes descriptions of injuries and interviewing questions.
Fatal pediatric head injuries caused by short-distance falls
by J. Plunkett. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2001 Mar 22(1):1-12.
Fatal pediatric head injuries caused by short-distance fallsRead More
Evaluating Physical Abuse in Children
Provides general information about how law enforcement officers and medical professionals evaluate whether an injury, including fractures and burns, was intentional or accidental. It was published in 2000 in the American Family Physician.