Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma: Wrongful Conviction Risks, Mis-information Effects, and Psychological Consultation. Issue 3 (26th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Matthew B.; Baker, Christine; Prempeh, Barbara; Lewis, Shereen R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice. Volume 20:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 290
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2020-05-26
• Subjects: Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma -- wrongful conviction -- psychological testimony -- mis-information effects -- forensic confirmation bias; Forensic psychology -- Research -- Periodicals; 614.15
• DOI: 10.1080/24732850.2020.1726165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2473-2850

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Psychologists as experts may be engaged in criminal or family court cases involving Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma (SBS/AHT). There are unsettled questions within medical specialties regarding the diagnosis of SBS/AHT, as well as the mechanisms and timing of injuries. Psychologists need to be cautious about providing testimony based on findings from disciplines other than psychology. Forensic psychological consultation in SBS/AHT can be informed by the record of exoneration in these cases. Also, psychological research on processes in wrongful conviction such as the "mis-information effect" and forensic "confirmation bias" can inform such consultation and testimony.