Citation

Johnson MB, Baker C, Prempeh B, Lewis SR. J. Forensic Psychol. Res. Pract. 2020; 20(3): 290-304.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/24732850.2020.1726165

PMID

unavailable

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.

Language: en

Keywords

forensic confirmation bias; mis-information effects; psychological testimony; Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma; wrongful conviction