Ethical Issues in Forensic Testimony Involving Abusive Head Trauma. Issue 3 (September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holmgren, Brian K.
• Is Part Of: Academic forensic pathology. Volume 3:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 328
• Publication Date: 2013-09
• Subjects: Forensic pathology -- Ethics -- Expert -- Testimony -- Law -- Child abuse; Forensic pathology -- Periodicals; Forensic pathology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.23907/2013.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1925-3621

Abstract

Medical examiners provide critical diagnostic and testimonial information in abusive head trauma cases. Courtroom challenges to these diagnostic criteria and contested expert testimony have raised concerns about ethical and professional conduct of practitioners. Legal evidentiary standards for expert testimony, ethical guidelines established by medical organizations, and proposed standards for ethical practice provide a background for examination of several common challenges and testimonial claims in these cases.