PD-0292-15
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Transmitted 12/17/2015 4:35:05 PM
Accepted 12/18/2015 8:08:53 AM
ABEL ACOSTA
IN THE COURT CLERK
OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS
JENNIFER BANNER WOLFE, §
APPELLANT §
§
V. § PD-0292-15
§
THE STATE OF TEXAS, §
RESPONDENT §
December 18, 2015
§ § §
STATE'S MERIT BRIEF
§ § §
SHAREN WILSON
Criminal District Attorney
Tarrant County, Texas
DEBRA WINDSOR, Assistant
Criminal District Attorney
Chief, Post-Conviction
TANYA S. DOHONEY
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, Texas 76196-0201
(817) 884-1687 FAX (817) 884-1672
State Bar No. 02760900
ccaappellatealerts@tarrantcountytx.gov
LISA C. MCMINN,
State Prosecuting Attorney
SUBJECT INDEX
SUBJECT INDEX ....................................................................................... ii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES .......................................................................... v
STATEMENT OF THE CASE ..................................................................... 1
STATEMENT OF THE PROCEDURAL HISTORY OF THE CASE ............. 2
STATEMENT OF FACTS ........................................................................... 2
SIGNIFICANT SECONDARY RESOURCES ............................................ 14
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES ............................................................ 15
I. A note about Appellant’s first ground for review ........................ 15
II. Applicable legal standards ........................................................... 19
III. The court of appeals correctly upheld the trial court’s
reliability ruling .............................................................................. 23
A. Acceptance and Literature factors .......................................... 24
Acceptance—the extent to which the underlying scientific
theory and technique are accepted as valid by the
relevant scientific community, if such a community can be
ascertained
Literature—the existence of literature supporting or
rejecting the underlying scientific theory and technique
ii
B. Qualifications and Application factors ..................................... 29
Qualifications—the qualifications of the expert(s) testifying
Application—the experience and skill of the person(s)
who applied the technique on the occasion in question
1. The pediatric neurologist ........................................................ 29
2. The pediatric opthalmologist ................................................... 30
3. The pediatric child abuse expert ............................................. 30
4. Differential diagnosis methodology ......................................... 33
C. Rate of Error—the potential rate of error of the technique....... 35
D. Other Available Experts—the availability of other experts
to test and evaluate the technique .......................................... 40
E. Clarity—the clarity with which the underlying scientific
theory and technique can be explained to the court ................ 40
IV. This Court should uphold both lower courts’ rulings ................. 40
CONCLUSION AND PRAYER .................................................................. 42
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ............................................................ 43
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE .................................................................... 44
APPENDIX A ..............................................................................................A
Sandeep Narang, M.D., J.D., A Daubert Analysis of Abusive
Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome, 11 HOUS. J. HEALTH L. &
POL'Y 505 (2011)
iii
APPENDIX B ..............................................................................................A
Sandeep Narang, M.D., J.D., John D. Melville, M.D.,
Christopher S. Greeley, M.D., James D. Anderst, M.D.,
Shannon L. Carpenter, M.D., & Betty Spivack, M.D., A Daubert
Analysis Of Abusive Head Trauma—Part II: An Examination Of
The Differential Diagnosis, 13 HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL'Y 203
(2013)
iv
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
Bekendam v. State,
441 S.W.3d 295 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014) .................................... 21, 23
Davis v. State,
329 S.W.3d 798 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) .......................................... 20
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
509 U.S. 579 (1993) .................................................................passim
Ex parte Henderson,
384 S.W.3d 833 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) .......................................... 27
Ex parte Robbins,
WR-73,484-02, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2014 WL 6751684
(Tex. Crim. App. 2014) ................................................. 22, 22n, 27-28
Ex parte Robbins,
360 S.W.3d 446 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011)
(J. Cochran, dissenting) ................................................................... 22
Kelly v. State,
824 S.W.2d 568 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992) ...................................passim
Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. v. Carmichael,
526 U.S. 137 (1999) ........................................................................ 19
State v. Esparza,
413 S.W.3d 81 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013) ............................................ 35
Tillman v. State,
354 S.W.3d 425 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011) .............................. 20, 21, 23
Wolfe v. State,
459 S.W.3d 201 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2015) ........................passim
v
RULES
Tex. R. Evid. 702 ...............................................................................passim
Tex. R. Evid. 705 ...................................................................................... 21
TEX. R. APP. P. 9.4 .................................................................................... 43
OTHER AUTHORITIES
Gaurav Bhardwaj et al.,
A Systematic Review of the Diagnostic Accuracy of
Ocular Signs in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma,
117 OPHTHALMOLOGY 983 (2010) ..................................................... 38
Harvey Brown & Melissa Davis,
Eight Gates for Expert Witnesses: Fifteen Years Later,
52 HOUSTON LAW REV. 1 (2014)........................................................ 47
A. Elstein & A. Schwartz,
Clinical Problem Solving and Diagnostic Decision Making:
Selective Review of the Cognitive Literature,
324 BRIT. MED. J. 729 (2002) ........................................................... 23
Clyde Haberman,
Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Diagnosis That Divides
the Medical World, N.Y.TIMES, Sept. 13, 2015,
at A1, http://nyti.ms/1MlkQ7g ........................................................... 26
E. Imwinkelried,
The Admissibility and Legal Sufficiency of Testimony About
Differential Diagnosis (Etiology): Of Under-and Over-Estimations,
56 BAYLOR L. REV. 391 (2004) .......................................................... 22
vi
J. Kassirer & F. Sonnenberg,
The Scientific Basis of Diagnosis,
TEXTBOOK OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (W.N. Kelley ed., 1989) ................. 23
Alex V. Levin et al.,
Clinical Report: The Eye Examination in the
Evaluation of Child Abuse,
126 PEDIATRICS 376 (2010) .............................................................. 38
S. Maguire,
Which Clinical Features Distinguish Inflicted from
Non-Inflicted Brain Injury? A Systematic Review,
94 ARCHIVES DISEASE CHILDHOOD 860 (2009) ................................... 36
Jakob Matschke et al.,
Nonaccidental Head Injury is the Most Common Cause of
Subdural Bleeding in Infants <1 Year of Age,
124 PEDIATRICS 1587 (2009) .......................................................... 38n
Sandeep Narang, M.D.,
A Daubert Analysis of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby
Syndrome,
11 HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL'Y 505 (2011) .................................passim
Sandeep Narang, M.D., J.D., John D. Melville, M.D., Christopher S.
Greeley, M.D., James D. Anderst, M.D., Shannon L. Carpenter, M.D.,
& Betty Spivack, M.D.,
A Daubert Analysis Of Abusive Head Trauma—Part II:
An Examination Of The Differential Diagnosis,
13 HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL'Y 203 (2013) .................................passim
STEDMAN’S MEDICAL DICTIONARY (28th ed. 2006) ........................................ 16
vii
IN THE COURT
OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS
JENNIFER BANNER WOLFE, §
APPELLANT §
§
V. § PD-0292-15
§
THE STATE OF TEXAS, §
RESPONDENT §
STATE’S MERIT BRIEF
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF
THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS:
Comes now the State of Texas, by and through her Tarrant County
Criminal District Attorney, and respectfully urges this Court to affirm the
decision of the Court of Appeals for the Second District of Texas.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
A bench trial before the Honorable Louis Sturns culminated in
Appellant’s injury-to-a-child conviction. (1CR1: 274–76; RR8:4).
1
STATEMENT OF THE PROCEDURAL HISTORY OF THE CASE
In February 2015, the Fort Worth Court of Appeals affirmed the trial
court in a published opinion authored by Chief Justice Livingston. Wolfe v.
State, 459 S.W.3d 201 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2015). Justice Walker filed
a dissenting opinion. Id. at 214 (J. Walker, dissenting). No one sought
rehearing. On September 16, 2015, this Court granted discretionary review
on Appellant’s two-ground petition. After one extension, the State timely
files her merit brief on or before December 17, 2015.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
Appellant raises two grounds regarding the Second Court’s upholding
the admission of expert witness testimony. Hence, the issues presented
relate to the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision in Daubert
and its progeny. See Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509
U.S. 579 (1993) (citations omitted). Appellant’s sole point of error before
the Fort Worth court focused on the reliability/admission of expert testimony
relating to Abusive Head Trauma [AHT]. Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d 201. This
appeal’s focus on the admission and reliability of expert testimony
necessitates a general summary of the evidence.
2
The seven-month-old victim suffered serious brain and eye injuries
while in Appellant’s care. Emergency medical personnel arrived at
Appellant’s behest to her residence where she ran an in-home daycare;
they found the infant unconscious, performed CPR, and rushed the little
boy to Fort Worth’s Cook Children’s Medical Center. RR4:38, 76. The
boy’s parents also arrived, only to learn their infant son needed immediate
brain surgery to stop the bleeding in his brain. RR4:62–63. Meanwhile, the
caregiver—Appellant—explained to the mother that her little boy had eaten
that morning, been crying and, when she set him down, he fell backward.
RR4:59–61. Surgery continued for several hours, and the child remained
hospitalized for nine days. RR4:64–65.
Backtracking to earlier events, the child’s mother had dropped him off
at 7:15 a.m. for daycare. RR4:55–57. Later, Appellant’s morning included
an unexpected trip to retrieve her daughter from school for illness-related
reasons; all the children went with Appellant on this unexpected trek.
RR4:119; RR5:140; RR9:SX34 [non-custodial statement]. When Appellant
returned home, she seated the child-victim on the floor and then retrieved
another child from her vehicle. She said the little boy fell back onto the
interlocking foam pads on the carpeted floor and cried. RR4:119–21, 212;
3
RR5:127, 140; RR9:SX34. Appellant explained that she told the child he
needed to sit up, sat him up again, and she stepped away to see a cake at
her decorating table. RR4:122; RR5:128–29,140–41 [SX34]. Appellant
said that the child fell back again and went silent while she was looking at
the cake; after about thirty seconds, Appellant came closer to the boy and
realized he was limp. RR4:122; RR5:128–29.
Appellant made a voluntary statement to a child abuse detective;
when the officer said he thought her account was inconsistent with the
child’s injuries, Appellant spoke with her husband and then supplemented
what she had written. RR5:101–02, 145–46; RR6:5–11, 17–20. She
added: "When I set [the boy] down, it was possibly hard. I do not
remember shaking him. I picked him up, sat him down, and told him he
needed to sit. This is a true account in my own words." RR5:145; RR6:9.
Based on his experience working child abuse cases, the detective
believed Appellant faced multiple stressors on the day of this little boy’s
injuries. RR6:17–18. First, the teething child was fussy. RR5:118,127;
RR6:15. Second, the high school sent Appellant’s daughter home before
10:00 a.m. when her attendance would count and, on top of that, Appellant
had to pick up her daughter. RR5:127, 140; RR6:15. Third, Appellant’s
4
growing cake-decorating business was busy with orders for Easter
celebrations that upcoming weekend. RR4:54; RR5:126–27; RR6:15. The
child abuse detective opined that outside stressors could cause someone
to lash out at a child.1 RR5:126; RR6:17–18.
Investigators uncovered other concerns and inconsistencies.
Appellant told the paramedics at the scene that the little boy might have
choked on food; she said he had been crying, screaming loudly, and “just
fell back unconscious.” RR4:15,17,30. This choking history provided to the
EMTs, however, did not correspond to his heart rate. RR4:17–18. Later
that same day, Appellant confided to a friend that she had sat the child in a
chair and, when she returned, found he had inexplicably collapsed.
RR4:161–62, 165–66. The inconsistent descriptions caused concern.
Another concern involved Appellant’s being busy and distracted.
Additionally, the thriving cake business Appellant looked forward to running
in the future ran afoul of the licensing regulations for in-home child care
providers. RR4:53, 87–88, 114–16, 120–23, 134–35, 160; RR5:125–27.
1
Another witness corroborated the detective’s opinion regarding Appellant’s state of
frustration. The witness, a friend of Appellant’s, explained that Appellant desired to
curtail her in-home child-care business at the end of school so she could, instead, focus
on cake decorating. RR4:160, 164. In addition to the desire to shift the focus of her
employment, Appellant had also verbalized specific frustrations to her friend about this
seven-month-old. Appellant described the little boy as a child who cried all the time.
RR4:160.
5
The approaching weekend with the Easter holiday increased the demand
for cake orders. RR5:125–27. Appellant admitted to investigators that she
had a large number of orders that she still needed to fill. RR5:127.
In addition to the non-medical testimony, the State’s case included
three doctors who practice pediatric medicine and treated this little boy.
Dr. Richard Roberts, a pediatric neurosurgeon for Cook Children’s Medical
Center, first treated the child. RR4:180. The boy presented with
“extremis,” bleeding and compression of the brain, which was worrisome
for his survival. RR4:192–93. Dr. Roberts performed an emergency
craniotomy to evacuate a hematoma and to decrease the pressure in the
brain. RR4:200. The child-victim suffered a subdural hematoma [SDH]
with an acute component. RR4:196. During surgery, Dr. Roberts also
noted an avulsed bridging vein; he believed this very recent injury could
only have been caused by a high-energy impact such as a car crash or an
extreme fall. RR4:203–04, 214–18, 225–27 [narrowing the time of injury],
277. The doctor’s medical conclusions lacked congruity with Appellant’s
explanation of the mechanism of the injury. RR4:216–17, 260–61.
Instead, the doctor’s experience informed him that the injuries were
consistent with non-accidental trauma cases. RR4:227, 260.
6
Dr. Roberts also learned that the victim suffered retinal hemorrhaging
[RH] and retinal tears. RR4:218–19, 261–62. The presence of these
retinal injuries combined with the neurosurgeon having detected an avulsed
bridging vein, swelling of the brain, and a SDH, constituted classic
symptoms associated with high-energy force to the head. RR4:218–20,
224. According to Dr. Roberts, the injury-causing mechanism had to
include acceleration and deceleration in order to cause a vein avulsion; the
mechanism could also include shaking and impact against a padded play
surface. RR4:219–32, 248–50, 272–73, 280–81. The doctor contended
that the force necessary to cause the boy’s injuries would be of a degree
known to be dangerous. RR4:231–32. Toppling backwards while seated
on a padded floor was inconsistent with the injuries presented and the
infant’s spinal development; more force than reported would give rise to the
injuries presented by the child. RR4:211–32, 260–61, 285–86.
The State’s second expert, pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Ann
Rannelle, treated the child-victim, too. RR5:5, 12–13. Dr. Rannelle found
the boy’s right eye uninjured, but his left eye revealed multiple intraretinal
hemorrhages, a large subretinal hemorrhage, preretinal hemorrhages, and
also vitreous hemorrhages, with a small line indicating retinoschisis, as
7
well. RR5:38–39. In essence, the child suffered multilayered, confluent
retinal hemorrhaging in every layer of his eye. RR5:46–47. Multilayered
RHs are consistent with non-accidental trauma.2 RR5:47–48.
Yet, this case involved more than “mere” retinal hemorrhaging. The
pediatric ophthalmologist’s findings included retinoschisis, a condition
encompassing the retina splitting apart. RR5:49. The torn retina causes a
blood pocket. RR4:219–20, 224; RR5:39, 49, 51–52. The confluence of
these distinct injuries confirmed that a high-energy aspect of the
mechanism of injury.3 RR4:219–20, 224.
In addition to the scientific conclusions drawn about the force
required in light of the medical findings, the little boy’s eye injuries were not
consistent with Appellant’s explanation but, instead, required an
acceleration/deceleration type of force and significant, violent, high-energy
trauma. RR5:48–49, 52. The ophthalmologist explained she had treated
children who had fallen out of second story windows or shopping carts onto
concrete floors and they did not present with the serious eye retinal injuries
the child-victim experienced. RR5:52–53. Dr. Rannelle stated that
2
When RHs are congenital, the condition is bilateral. RR5:54.
3
As mentioned, knowledge of this extreme condition—retinoschisis—also
contributed to the neurosurgeon’s AHT conclusion. RR4:219-20, 224.
8
Appellant’s explanation for the boy’s injuries was not possible in light of the
severity of the eye injuries. RR5:53. The pediatric ophthalmologist’s
findings dovetailed with those of the pediatric neurologist.
Dr. Jayme Coffman rounded-out the State’s expert witness lineup.
Dr. Coffman, a board-certified practitioner in both general pediatrics and
child abuse pediatrics, is the medical director of the CARE team at Cook
Children’s Medical Center. RR6:65–71. She began focusing her medical
practice on the various forms of child abuse in approximately 1993.
RR6:69–77. Dr. Coffman has testified as an expert in child abuse and the
treatment of child abuse repeatedly. RR6:78. Dr. Coffman treated the
child in this case after his injuries. RR6:79. Based upon the child-victim’s
history and the injuries he suffered, especially the multiple types of injuries
witnessed by the treating physicians, Dr. Coffman opined that there had to
be impact or a combination of impact and shaking. RR6:95–105. Dr.
Coffman did not find the little boy’s injuries consistent with his falling from a
seated position. Having listened to the defense expert’s testimony during
9
the instant bench trial, Dr. Coffman also rebutted assertions put forward by
the defense expert (who had testified out-of-order).4 RR6:107–10.
In her practice, Dr. Coffman does not rely on what has been called
“Shaken Baby Syndrome,” but she bases her child abuse diagnosis on the
specific mechanism of injury presented and a differential diagnosis with
observation; the differential diagnosis methodology is an all-encompassing
process-of-elimination consideration of every possible cause and is
generally accepted in the medical community. RR6:81, 83, 89–95, 107–13.
Dr. Coffman stated there is not “unrest” within the pediatric world—
including all pediatric disciplines—regarding AHT findings. RR6:108–11.
Dr. Coffman acknowledged the existence of divergent opinions in fields not
involving pediatric practitioners with live patients; for instance, medical
examiners and those in the field of biomechanics have questioned AHT as
a diagnosis. RR6:108–11. Dr. Coffman confirmed that pediatrics experts
resoundingly support the validity of AHT as a medical diagnosis;
4
For instance, the defense expert opined that retinoschisis can progress from
retinal hemorrhages. RR6:127. Dr. Coffman flatly rejected this claim, stating she knew
of no evidence-based medical literature supporting this contention and, likewise, she
had never seen this clinically. RR6:126-28. Dr. Roberts also rejected alternative
causes for retinoschisis. RR4:223-24.
Dr. Coffman noted her familiarity with papers authored by Tuerkheimer, Gabaeff,
and others cited by the defense as challenging aspects of AHT methodology. RR6:120-
27. Dr. Coffman dismissed these papers and studies in light of the wealth of evidence-
based medical literature to the contrary and her experience. RR6:125.
10
accordingly, the American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes Abusive Head
Trauma as a diagnosis. RR6:113–14. Finally, Dr. Coffman explained that,
to make an accurate differential diagnosis in this case, everything must be
considered, including conditions that the defense expert dismissed.
RR6:127–29.
Summing up, the child’s prognosis is unknown. Post-surgery, the boy
initially lost right side movement, but regained it after months of therapy.
RR4:68–69, 212. An initial vision loss in his left eye improved after
treatment. RR4:70. The child will still have "dead spaces" in his brain and
has suffered some loss of brain volume and function. RR4:221–22, 233.
Since his brain is still developing, his prognosis is unclear. RR4:233.
Appellant called Dr. Robert Rothfeder, an emergency physician from
Utah to rebut the State’s experts. RR5:155. Dr. Rothfeder testified he had
spent fifteen years conducting personal research on Shaken Baby
Syndrome [SBS], now AHT. RR5:163–173. Dr. Rothfeder contended that
the medical community lacks agreement regarding whether the
combination of injuries—SDHs, RHs, and swelling of the brain—constitute
non-accidental injury previously referred to as SBS. RR5:85, 167–71, 174,
183. The emergency medicine doctor agreed that pediatrics practitioners
11
recognize these theories, but represented that non-pediatric physicians
disagree. RR5:174.
The defense expert attempted to discount AHT based upon its
purported disuse elsewhere as valid diagnosis. He testified that in many
jurisdictions, including Canada and the United Kingdom, expert testimony
that draws a conclusion of AHT from the mere presence of the discussed
triad of unexplained symptoms is inadmissible. RR5:202–03. However,
during the cross-examination of Dr. Rothfeder, the witness backed off from
his sweeping statements, acknowledging his comments were limited to a
few cases with specific problems. RR5:228–30.
Even based upon the proverbial “cold record,” cross-examination
appeared to severely undermine this expert’s credibility. Dr. Rothfeder had
no formal pediatric experience, had a limited emergency room practice
regarding young patients, and he had not consulted with any of the treating
physicians in this case. RR5:23–32. For more than a decade, the
physician worked referrals from a law firm that handled car wreck cases.
Further, in spite of his limited pediatric experience, Dr. Rothfeder had spent
several years in the consulting/testifying business for defense attorneys
regarding child abuse, even though he had no peer-review articles on the
12
subject, had not attended specialized seminars on the matter, and could
not identify any specific child abuse case he had treated. RR5:158–59,
213–16, 222–26. Dr. Rothfeder also holds a law license, testifies twelve to
fifteen times a year as a consultant for defense counsel in child abuse
cases, and receives approximately $8000 per case. RR5:158, 214–28.
13
SIGNIFICANT SECONDARY RESOURCES
The Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy has published two
extensive articles comprehensively providing an overview of evidence-
based medical literature relating to the validity of abusive head trauma as a
medical diagnosis; the primary author of these papers holds dual
credentials—medical doctor and attorney. See Sandeep Narang, M.D.,
J.D., A Daubert Analysis of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby
Syndrome, 11 HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL'Y 505 (2011) [hereinafter A
Daubert Analysis—Part I; Appendix A]; Sandeep Narang, M.D., J.D., John
D. Melville, M.D., Christopher S. Greeley, M.D., James D. Anderst, M.D.,
Shannon L. Carpenter, M.D., & Betty Spivack, M.D., A Daubert Analysis of
Abusive Head Trauma—Part II: An Examination of the Differential
Diagnosis, 13 HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL'Y 203 (2013) [hereinafter A Daubert
Analysis—Part II; Appendix B].
During the bench trial, the parties discussed A Daubert Analysis—
Part I; likewise, both the State and Second Court referred to it on appeal.5
Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d at 212 & n.18–19. In late 2013 after this case was set
5
The parties provided Dr. Narang’s 2011 AHT survey to the trial court during a
break, agreeing that the judge should review the document; the original copy,
designated State’s Exhibit No. 42, was mistakenly marked up and no new “clean” copy
was proffered into evidence. RR6:64-65,115. Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d at 212 & n.18.
14
for submission below, Dr. Narang published his second article to discuss
the differential diagnosis aspect of AHT conclusions and to refute
challenges premised on alternative diagnoses to AHT. Dr. Narang
authored this follow-up survey along with five other physicians. See A
Daubert Analysis—Part II. The two law journal articles bookend any
analysis of the validity of AHT diagnosis, and the State attached both
publications as appendices and borrows liberally from both herein.
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
Appellant’s two grounds for discretionary review lack merit because
the court of appeals properly determined that no abuse of discretion
occurred. The appellate ruling correctly determined that the trial judge’s
Daubert ruling did not constitute an abuse of discretion because the three
physicians who provided AHT testimony proffered reliable expert evidence,
both in general and as it applied to this case’s specific facts.
I. A note about Appellant’s first ground for review
Appellant’s first allegation complains that the Second Court’s
decision too narrowly determined the issue of reliability. Tethering her first
15
discretionary claim to the argument voiced in Justice Walker’s dissent,
Appellant insists that the majority opinion merely focused on the general
scientific reliability of AHT evidence and failed to consider the evidence’s
reliability in light of the victim’s unique medical history.
The State contends that the expert testimony and conclusions which
found non-accidental injury and abusive head trauma came to fruition after
application of a methodology called differential diagnosis. Medical science
defines “differential diagnosis” as “the determination of which two or more
diseases with similar symptoms is the one from which the patient is
suffering, by a systematic comparison and contrasting of the clinical
findings.” STEDMAN’S MEDICAL DICTIONARY (28th ed. 2006); A Daubert
Analysis—Part II, at 302. Simplistically speaking, this type of analysis
relies on process-of-elimination reasoning. Id. at 304. “In differential
diagnosis, if there are four possible diagnoses and you eliminate three,
logic points to the last illness as the correct diagnosis.” E. Imwinkelried,
The Admissibility and Legal Sufficiency of Testimony About Differential
Diagnosis (Etiology): Of Under-and Over-Estimations, 56 BAYLOR L. REV.
391, 392 (2004); A Daubert Analysis—Part II, at 304.
16
Decades of research reveal that this diagnostic process employs a
non-linear, unstructured method of inferential and deductive problem
solving. See J. Kassirer & F. Sonnenberg, The Scientific Basis of
Diagnosis, TEXTBOOK OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (W.N. Kelley ed., 1989); see
also A. Elstein & A. Schwartz, Clinical Problem Solving and Diagnostic
Decision Making: Selective Review of the Cognitive Literature, 324 BRIT.
MED. J. 729, 730 (2002); A Daubert Analysis—Part II, at 303 & n.629. Dr.
Jayme Coffman, the medical director of the CARE Team at Cook Children’s
Medical Center in Fort Worth, relied on this differential diagnosis protocol
when concluding that this little boy suffered AHT. RR6:80–94, 106–07,
112, 128, 140, 151–55.
In the context of Appellant’s two discretionary review claims and even
when considering the difference between the lower court’s majority opinion
and the dissent’s rationale, the differential diagnosis methodology renders
the difference (and the first ground for review) moot. The State suggests
avoiding the dualistic consideration of the two appellate approaches voiced
by the competing opinions from the lower court. An either-or approach is
not logical since the State’s medical experts relied on the differential
diagnosis methodology. This methodology treated the child’s unique
17
medical history as integral to the diagnosis decision. See A Daubert
Analysis—Part I, at 571–72.6 By relying on the differential diagnostic
method, Dr. Coffman’s conclusions ruled out other possible causes,
general ones and those that were specific to this child. RR6:80–94, 106–
07, 112, 128, 140, 151–55. Therefore, whether Appellant’s brief to the
court of appeals argued that the complained-of expertise was unreliable in
relation to this child-victim’s specific circumstances and medical history
does not matter because the expert opinions developed before the trial
judge included full consideration of the child’s unique medical history
including the fact that the child bore no external signs of injury. RR4:222–
24, 227–38, 248–59, 274–75, 283–85 [Dr. Roberts]; RR5:170–74, 212–54
[Dr. Ranelle]; RR6:30–33, 56–59, 80–94, 105–28, 140, 151–55 [Dr.
Coffman].
By definition, when a physician conducts the complex inferential and
deductive process of differential refinement and reaches an AHT
conclusion, this established, reliable, step-by-step evaluation rules out
other causes. See generally A Daubert Analysis, Part II, at 302–22.
Differential diagnosis is a reliable methodology for applying AHT to
6
The differentials for subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages, the two most
common injuries involved in AHT, are found in Appendix B and C of A Daubert
Analysis—Part I.
18
specific facts. Id. Therefore, in this case, the prosecution amply bore its
burden to show the reliability of the expert testimony and opinions of the
pediatric medical team who treated this child-victim—both in general and
as they were applied to this child’s specific circumstances.
II. Applicable legal standards
The court of appeals correctly determined that the trial judge, acting
as a Daubert/Kuhmo gatekeeper, properly exercised his discretion after
hearing a wealth of diverse information. See Daubert v. Merrell Dow
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993), and Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. v.
Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137 (1999). Together, these two Supreme Court
decisions squarely place the admissibility of scientific and other technical or
specialized evidence in the discretionary lap of the trial court. In this case,
as the interim appellate court found, no abuse of discretion occurred.
Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d 201.
The threshold determination regarding the admissibility of expert
evidence is whether the testimony will be helpful to the finder of fact. In this
case, the trial court acted as finder of fact. Although the trial judge’s
experience through the years has encompassed much scientific and/or
medical testimony, the specifics of pediatric neurology, pediatric
19
ophthalmology, and even pediatric physical abuse would surely assist in
this case. See Kelly v. State, 824 S.W.2d 568 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992)
(same trial judge properly applied evidentiary rules to admit DNA evidence
in this landmark case).
This Court’s unanimous Tillman decision comprehensibly addressed
the admissibility of expert testimony. Tillman v. State, 354 S.W.3d 425
(Tex. Crim. App. 2011). A trial judge's decision on the admissibility of
evidence is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard and will not be
reversed if it is within the zone of reasonable disagreement. Id. at 435;
Davis v. State, 329 S.W.3d 798, 813–14 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). The
State’s AHT evidence and her three treating physicians passed the
admission hurdle.
Rule 702 of the Texas Rules of Evidence governs the admission of
expert testimony. This rule allows testimony from a witness qualified as an
expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education to testify when
scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge can assist a factfinder’s
understanding of the evidence and determination of facts in issue. TEX. R.
EVID. 702. To be admissible, a party offering expert scientific evidence
must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the testimony “is
20
sufficiently reliable and relevant to help the jury in reaching accurate
results.” TEX. R. EVID. 702, 705(c); see Bekendam v. State, 441 S.W.3d
295, 303 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014); Kelly, 824 S.W.2d at 572. While other
factors go into the admissibility of scientific evidence, Appellant only
contests the reliability of the State’s AHT evidence in this case. See
Tillman, 354 S.W.3d at 435. To be considered reliable, evidence based on
a scientific theory must satisfy three criteria: (1) the underlying scientific
theory must be valid; (2) the technique applying the theory must be valid;
and (3) the technique must have been properly applied on the occasion in
question. Kelly, 824 S.W.2d at 573; TEX. R. EVID. 702.
Judge Hervey’s Tillman decision opined that courts analyze reliability
to determine whether the proffered expert evidence is founded on sound
scientific methodology in order to weed out “junk science.” Id. at 435–36.
The reliability determination hinges on several factors that include the
following:
(1) the extent to which the underlying scientific theory and
technique are accepted as valid by the relevant scientific
community, if such a community can be ascertained;
(2) the qualifications of the expert(s) testifying;
(3) the existence of literature supporting or rejecting the
underlying scientific theory and technique;
(4) the potential rate of error of the technique;
21
(5) the availability of other experts to test and evaluate the
technique;
(6) the clarity with which the underlying scientific theory and
technique can be explained to the court; and
(7) the experience and skill of the person(s) who applied the
technique on the occasion in question.
Kelly, 824 S.W.2d at 573. These factors should not be considered a
“definitive checklist or test” but, instead constitute guidelines for a trial
judge’s assessment. Daubert, 509 U.S. at 593. The Supreme Court
mandated that the focus must be on the principles and methodology,
not on the conclusions generated. Id. at 594–95 (emphasis added).
The State recognizes that some members of this Court have
previously voiced concerns—in a disparate scenario—about the
“fundamental disconnect between the worlds of science and of law” when
applying legal principals to evolving scientific theories. See Ex parte
Robbins, 360 S.W.3d 446, 469–70 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011)7 (J. Cochran,
dissenting); see also Ex parte Robbins, WR-73,484-02, ___ S.W.3d ___,
2014 WL 6751684 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014) (habeas relief granted after
statutory amendment) (rehearing granted May 13, 2015). In this case, the
State seeks to show that the trial court did not abuse his discretion when
7
In a case involving multiple theories of how (or whether) the child was
asphyxiated, the medical examiner re-ruled the manner-of-death from homicide to
undetermined, leading to appellate action regarding the conviction’s validity. Ex parte
Robbins, 2014 WL 6751684, *5.
22
applying Daubert-related guidelines to discern the reliability of the State’s
evidence (the ground for review) and that the science utilized herein
remains reliable.
III. The court of appeals correctly upheld the trial court’s
reliability ruling8
Relying on decisions such as Tillman, Beckendam, and other Daubert
progeny from this Court, the court of appeals correctly set out the proper
analytical constructs to determine that the trial court’s ruling did not fall
outside the zone of reasonable disagreement. Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d at 204–
205 (citing Tillman, 354 S.W.3d 425; Beckendam v. State, 441 S.W.3d 295
(Tex. Crim. App. 2014)) (additional citations omitted). With their
jurisprudential guidelines squarely addressed, the Fort Worth court
methodically reviewed the expert testimony in a manner consistent with the
Kelly factors. Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d at 204–09, 211–14. The majority
contrasted the information from the State’s experts with that of the defense
expert and the concerns voiced by the dissenting justice. Id. at 209–14.
8
Pretrial, Appellant proposed that the trial court carry its gatekeeping ruling as the
court heard the State’s experts. RR4:7-8; RR7:4-5. At the end of the evidence, the trial
judge took the ruling under advisement to afford him time to read the provided
materials. RR7:21. When the parties reconvened, the judge ruled that each of the
State’s witnesses met the requirements of Rule 702 under Kelly and Daubert; the court
specifically recognized each witness as being an expert. RR8:4-5. Appellant did not
request any further finding.
23
The Second Court of Appeals properly applied the Rules of Evidence and
the law regarding the admissibility of expert testimony. See Beckendam,
441 S.W.3d at 305.
The Fort Worth Court’s ruling reviewed the extensive direct
examination and spirited cross-examination of the State’s three pediatric
experts, as well as the evidence from the physician who testified for the
defense; this record and the subsequent appellate review support
upholding the trial judge’s ruling that each of the experts met the
requirements of Rule 702 and Daubert. RR8:4–5.
In its decision, the lower court set out and applied the well-known
Kelly factors. Specific consideration of those guidelines follows. Several of
the factors are grouped together based on their subject’s evidentiary
overlap.
A. Acceptance and Literature factors:
Acceptance—the extent to which the underlying
scientific theory and technique are accepted as valid by
the relevant scientific community, if such a community
can be ascertained
Literature—the existence of literature supporting or
rejecting the underlying scientific theory and technique
24
Both the acceptance and the literature factors strongly undergird the
validity of the Second Court’s decision regarding the reliability of AHT as a
scientific theory. As noted by the Fort Worth court, A Daubert Analysis—
Part I comprehensively reviewed the “voluminous” peer-reviewed medical
literature on the AHT issue. Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d at 212 & n.19. The article
explains, “there have been at least 8 systematic reviews, over 15 controlled
trials, over 50 comparative cohort studies or prospective case series, and
numerous well-designed, retrospective case series/reports, comprising
thousands of cases, supporting the diagnosis of AHT.” Id. at n. 19.
Additionally, the article cites a multitude of “verifiable references”
including various international and domestic medical organizations that
have publicly acknowledged the validity of AHT as a medical diagnosis
including:
The World Health Organization; The Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health; The Royal College of
Radiologists; The Royal College of Ophthalmologists; The
Canadian Paediatric Society; The American Academy of
Pediatrics; The American Academy of Ophthalmology; The
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and
Strabismus; The American College of Radiology; The American
Academy of Family Physicians; The American College of
Surgeons; The American Association of Neurologic Surgeons;
The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; The
American College of Emergency Physicians; and The American
Academy of Neurology.
25
A Daubert Analysis—Part I, at 575–76 (footnotes and citations omitted).
This worldwide list of physicians is a veritable Who’s Who of esteemed
medical organizations who recognize AHT as a valid scientific medical
diagnosis. Id. Footnotes contained within the Part I law review show
extensive literature supporting the science behind AHT. Id. (citations
omitted but, for convenience, please reference Appendix A).
It is true that some recent literature and media reports have appeared
to question the validity of AHT as a valid medical diagnosis; indeed,
Appellant cites to some of these articles. (App. Brief at vi–vii). See A
Daubert Analysis—Part II, at 205–06. Undersigned counsel even noticed
an article in the New York Times the Sunday before this case’s petition was
granted. See Clyde Haberman, Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Diagnosis
That Divides the Medical World, N.Y.TIMES, Sept. 13, 2015, at A1,
http://nyti.ms/1MlkQ7g. Nevertheless, Dr. Narang describes the
controversy as “inexplicable” to many physicians. A Daubert Analysis—
Part II, at 205.
At the onset, two fundamental principles must be clarified and
recognized. First, the terms “Abusive Head Trauma” and “Shaken Baby
Syndrome” are not interchangeable. SBS is a commonly recognized
26
subset of AHT, and any controversy regarding the reliability of the science
primarily focuses on SBS, not AHT. See A Daubert Analysis—Part II, at
205 & n.1. Second, the peer-reviewed medical literature supporting AHT
squarely supports this medical diagnosis; the evidence-based medical
literature overshadows the vast majority of the papers and media that
attempt to question the validity of AHT. See A Daubert Analysis—Part I, at
540–41 (comparing the quality of the supporting treatises versus
questioning literature); A Daubert Analysis—Part II, at 207, 210–12
(providing a metric, the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine [CEBM] scale,
to evaluate the best available evidence-based medical literature and
studies).
To assert the purported unreliability of the State’s experts, Appellant
cites to secondary sources that question the legitimacy of the previous
child-abuse-related SBS diagnosis. (App. Brief at vi–vii). Appellant also
refers to two habeas cases where the expert trial testimony was later
deemed inaccurate based upon the expert’s conclusion changing. See Ex
parte Henderson, 384 S.W.3d 833 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) (medical
examiner changed cause of death ruling in short fall case involving an
infant); Ex parte Robbins, No. WR-73,484-02, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2014 WL
27
6751684 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014) (rehearing granted) (post-trial, medical
examiner changed cause of death from asphyxia by strangulation to
undetermined).
Unlike the habeas cases, the instant trial judge heard specific
evidence during the bench trial involving the “debate” about the validity of
AHT as a diagnosis. Appellant proffered a Utah doctor in an attempt to
undermine the validity of the State’s experts’ AHT findings. The State
brought forward the three children’s hospital physicians who actually work
with pediatric patients, treated this patient, and have experience, training,
and expertise in the medical specialty, pediatric child abuse. The
prosecutors offered also significant supporting information; one article,
already mentioned and appended herein, reveals that recognition of
Abusive Head Trauma as a valid diagnosis is based on years of clinical
experience, has been an extensively peer-reviewed topic of medical
science, and is a diagnosis endorsed by a verifiable list of national and
international medical societies. See A Daubert Analysis—Part I. RR6:64–
65 (trial court confirms receipt and reading of this study as suggested by
both parties).
28
The State’s evidence and argument, along with the articles contained
in the State’s appendices, reveal the overwhelming validity of the science
behind an AHT diagnosis. The Second Court of Appeals decision should
stand.
B. Qualifications and Application factors:
Qualifications—the qualifications of the expert(s)
testifying
Application—the experience and skill of the person(s)
who applied the technique on the occasion in question
The qualifications of the State’s three experts, especially double-
board-certified Dr. Jayme Coffman, are beyond credible debate. The depth
of their qualifications also supports a strong showing for how their
knowledge was correctly applied, especially with respect to Dr. Coffman’s
differential diagnosis of AHT.
1. The pediatric neurologist
The State’s case included three doctors who practice pediatric
medicine; each actually treated the young boy in this case. Dr. Richard
Roberts, a pediatric neurosurgeon for Cook Children’s Medical Center
treated the child-victim upon his arrival to the hospital. RR4:180. Dr.
Roberts performed an emergency craniotomy on the seven-month-old boy
29
in order to evacuate the hematoma and to decrease the pressure in the
brain. RR4:200.
2. The pediatric opthalmologist
The State’s second pediatric physician, Dr. Ann Rannelle who is a
pediatric ophthalmologist, treated the victim after his craniotomy. RR5:5,
12–13. Dr. Rannelle found that the boy’s right eye had no hemorrhages,
but in his left eye he had multiple intraretinal hemorrhages, a large
subretinal hemorrhage, and some preretinal hemorrhage and vitreous
hemorrhages, with a small line indicating retinoschisis, as well. RR5:38–
39.
3. The pediatric child abuse expert
Dr. Jayme Coffman completed the State’s expert witness lineup.
Dr. Coffman, a board-certified practitioner in both general pediatrics and
child abuse pediatrics, is the medical director of the CARE team at Cook
Children’s Medical Center. RR6:65–71. Her resume includes a biology
degree with a minor in chemistry; during the early-mid 1980’s, she attended
medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San
Antonio. RR6:66.
Dr. Coffman developed a passion for pediatrics during her third-year
clinical rotations in medical school. RR6:67. She treated children during
30
her pediatric subspecialty rotation, and the remainder of her training
followed this interest. RR6:67–68. Dr. Coffman’s pediatric internship and
residency training occurred at the Texas Tech University Health Science
Center in Lubbock. RR6:66. Upon completing her medical school
program, she remained in Lubbock to teach while also working in the
emergency room for a year; then she went into private practice. RR6:68–
69. For about two years, Dr. Coffman practiced medicine as the sole
pediatrician in a small Texas town. RR6:69. Next, Tyler’s Medicaid and
Indigent Pediatric Program recruited Dr. Coffman as its medical director.
RR6:69–77. After approximately five years with the Tyler program and also
as the medical director of the Mother of Frances Hospital pediatric clinic,
Dr. Coffman started her own non-profit clinic in Longview, treating indigent
pediatric patients. RR6:69.
Dr. Coffman’s pediatric practices in these several forums led her to
focus on the various forms of child abuse. RR6:69–70. Dr. Coffman
returned to Cook in 1995. She participates in two LISTSERVs that are
honorary societies for child abuse physicians. RR6:71–72. These groups
involve treating physicians with multiple specialties such as pediatricians,
radiologists, neurosurgeons. RR6:72. Dr. Coffman did not think that the
31
groups included any research-oriented physicians or biomechanical
engineers. RR6:72.
Dr. Coffman has attended multiple advanced medical conferences on
the evaluation of physical abuse and child maltreatment. RR6:73–74. She
attended the Shaken Baby Syndrome Conference in 2002, a Pediatric
Forensic Conference, and a Crime Against Children Conference. Her
annual continuing education focuses on child abuse. RR6:72–73.
This expert child abuse pediatrician has authored seven papers on
various child-abuse-related topics, including protocols on how to recognize
and evaluate abuse and a book chapter on child fatality primal response.
RR6:74–75. Similarly, Dr. Coffman has given countless presentations
sharing her expertise with others. RR6:75. In the courts, Dr. Coffman has
testified as a child abuse expert repeatedly. RR6:78. She has treated
many children who suffered serious physical injury, and she treated the
infant in this case after his injuries. RR6:79.
Dr. Coffman’s extensive work in the field of child abuse-related
pediatrics has been officially recognized. Child Abuse is a recently
recognized subspecialty of pediatric medicine. RR6:70. There are now
fellowships and board certification in child abuse. Dr. Coffman’s two board
32
certifications are in general pediatrics (1990) and child abuse pediatrics
(2009). RR6:70. She was “grandfathered-in” for the child abuse
certification; the board allowed her to take the certification exam without a
fellowship out of respect for her child abuse experience since she has
spent more than fifty percent of her practice specifically evaluating possible
victims of abuse. RR6:70.
4. Differential diagnosis methodology
Reliance on the differential diagnosis methodology reveals that the
valid AHT science was properly applied. As previously detailed in
Section I, supra at 17–21, Dr. Coffman bases a child abuse diagnosis on
the individual mechanism of injury presented by a child while using a
differential diagnosis methodology to apply her observations, training, and
knowledge to the case. RR6:107–13.
For instance, this child suffered no external injuries. Each of the
State’s treating pediatric experts discussed this fact when explaining their
observations, assessments, actions, and opinions; each expert fully
considered the child’s unique medical history including this fact which was
recognized in the affirmance and highlighted in Justice Walker’s dissent.
See Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d at 211 (majority), 215 (dissent). RR4:222–24,
33
227–38, 248–59, 274–75, 283–85 [Dr. Roberts]; RR5:170–74, 212–54 [Dr.
Ranelle]; RR6:30–33, 56–59, 80–94, 105–28, 140, 151–55 [Dr. Coffman].
Dr. Coffman’s already-discussed extensive pediatric/child abuse
credentials, her dispositive explanation of differential diagnosis
methodology, and the lack of substantive diminution of her testimony by the
defense expert combine to indicate that the State fulfilled its Daubert
burden regarding Dr. Coffman’s application of her AHT expertise to this
case, in general and as specifically applied to this child.
The comprehensive studies described in both Daubert Analysis
articles likewise reinforce finding that Dr. Coffman properly applied her
medical training, knowledge, and experience to arrive at a correct
differential AHT diagnosis with respect to the child-victim in this case. The
second survey article by Dr. Narang covers the medical utilization and
acceptance of the differential diagnosis methodology and additionally
refutes typical alternatively posited diagnosis. A Daubert Analysis, Part II.
Finally, the reliability of the AHT science and application is further
enhanced on the specific facts of this case which include findings, not only
of SDHs, RHs, and swelling of the brain, but also the unique discovery of
retinoschisis, along with Appellant’s inconsistent history of falling from a
34
seated position. RR5:219–20; RR6:60. As Dr. Coffman stated, to make an
accurate differential diagnosis in this child’s case, everything must be
considered, including the unique circumstances presented with this child-
victim. RR6:127–29.
Both factors—experts’ qualifications and application via differential
diagnosis methodology—promote a strong finding of reliability in this case.
Again, the Fort Worth Court of Appeals correctly determined that the trial
judge did not abuse his discretion in this AHT case.
C. Rate of Error—the potential rate of error of the
technique
The lower court correctly noted that the proponent of scientific
evidence is not typically required to establish empirical reliability of an
underlying scientific theory. Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d at 204–05 (citing State v.
Esparza, 413 S.W.3d 81, 86 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013); TEX. R. EVID. 702).
Yet, potential rate of error undergirds the reliability analysis. Kelly, 824
S.W.at 573. The 2011 survey by Dr. Narang, Appendix A, provided the trial
judge with the tools to assess reliability on this basis. That wealth of
information is further supplemented by the second article’s assessments of
alternative diagnoses to AHT and, significantly, the metrics to assay the
validity of various studies and publications. See generally Appendix A & B.
35
Dr. Narang writes that several well-designed prospective studies and
retrospective reviews consider the validity and reliability of the statistical
evidence on SDHs and AHT. A Daubert Analysis—Part I, at 548. The
statistical results run parallel in multiple fields including pathology,
radiology, and general pediatrics. Id. The studies produced the same
results: the significant statistical association of SDHs with non-accidental
trauma over accidental trauma. Dr. Narang’s review of the evidence-based
medical literature revealed no published, peer-reviewed clinical studies that
conclude differently. Id.
Significantly, recent studies and systemic reviews have calculated the
specificity and positive predictive value of severe RHs for abusive head
injury. In 2009, publication of a systematic review show the results of all
the scientific literature to identify clinical features that distinguished inflicted
from non-inflicted brain injury. See S. Maguire, Which Clinical Features
Distinguish Inflicted from Non-Inflicted Brain Injury? A Systematic Review,
94 ARCHIVES DISEASE CHILDHOOD 860, 860 (2009). The survey reviewed
“20 [electronic] databases, websites, references and bibliographies, using
over 100 keyword combinations,” and the authors identified over 6000
studies, which were relevant to the topic, reviewing 320 of them. Id. at 861,
36
864. Secondary to strict inclusion criteria (including only those studies that
compared the clinical features of inflicted and non-inflicted brain injury with
consecutive case ascertainment), the authors found 14 studies that met
those criteria, representing over 1600 children. Id. at 863–64. Cases were
included only if strict definitional criteria for “inflicted” brain injury (i.e., those
with witnessed abuse, confessions, legal decisions, or outcome
confirmation by multi-agency child protection teams) was met. Id. at 861.
The authors specifically excluded all studies where the decision of abuse
relied solely on clinical features, to eliminate concerns for “selection bias”
and “circularity.” Id.
Conducting a multi-level logistic regression analysis, the survey
authors concluded that RHs were “strongly associated with inflicted brain
injury, with a positive predictive value of 71% and an odds ratio of 3.504.”
Id. at 865. Hence, a comprehensive review of all the literature involving
RHs shows that they are 3.5 times more likely to occur in inflicted
circumstances than non-inflicted ones. The authors concluded, “By
producing a multilevel logistic regression of specific clinical features on
over 1600 children, we have shown that there is scientific evidence to
support the distinction between [inflicted brain injury] and [non-inflicted
37
brain injury] . . . . “ This review is the largest of its kind, and offers for the
first time a valid statistical probability of [inflicted brain injury] when certain
key features are present (e.g., retinal hemorrhages).” Id.; A Daubert
Analysis—Part I, at 556–57.
Pair the findings of the Maguire et al. with a systematic review
published in 2010 focusing on the diagnostic accuracy of RHs in AHT. See
Gaurav Bhardwaj et al., A Systematic Review of the Diagnostic Accuracy of
Ocular Signs in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, 117 OPHTHALMOLOGY 983,
987 tbl.1 (2010) (the authors identified 971 articles, choosing fifty-five which
met their criteria, then qualitatively narrowing their focus to twenty studies).
The Bhardwaj review found that the specificity of intraocular hemorrhages
for AHT was 94 percent in high quality “Level II” context. Id. at 991; see
also Alex V. Levin et al., Clinical Report: The Eye Examination in the
Evaluation of Child Abuse, 126 PEDIATRICS 376, 376–77 (2010) (discussing
use of intraocular hemorrhage diagnoses in assessing AHT). See
generally A Daubert Analysis—Part I, at 539–561 (describing other
38
statistical evidence derived from well-designed comparative studies
includes studies from pediatrics, pathology, and radiology disciplines9).
Dovetailing with these comprehensive surveys, Dr. Coffman testified
that SDH are statistically more common in abuse than accident. RR6:110–
11. Likewise, the extensive retinal hemorrhages seen in this child-victim
are also seen statistically more often with abuse than accidental causes.
RR6:110–11. These statistical findings are held across multiple disciplines,
according to Dr. Coffman. RR6:111. Although not necessary, the numbers
also support the lower courts’ rulings.
9
Since some medical examiners appear to fall in the column of AHT doubters, note
a pathology study that confirmed the predominance of non-accidental trauma as the
cause of SDHs. The publication involved results from a fifty-year retrospective review of
the causes of death for infants less than one year old. E.g., Jakob Matschke et al.,
Nonaccidental Head Injury is the Most Common Cause of Subdural Bleeding in Infants
<1 Year of Age, 124 PEDIATRICS 1587-88, 1594 (2009). The survey concluded that most
SDHs are attributable to trauma, with non-accidental head injuries substantially
outnumbering accidental injuries. Id. at 1594.
39
D. Other Available Experts—the availability of other
experts to test and evaluate the technique
The State did not call outside experts to evaluate Dr. Coffman’s
differential diagnosis methodology or the other two treating pediatric
specialists. Based upon the myriad publications cited in both Daubert
Analysis articles, many physicians are available. See generally
Appendix A & B.
The State contends that Appellant’s medical expert provided a
dubious critique; indeed, had the gate-keeping function been applied to the
defense expert, his testimony would likely be excluded.
E. Clarity—the clarity with which the underlying
scientific theory and technique can be explained to
the court
As noted earlier, Dr. Coffman had testified multiple times in cases
involving child victims, as had the defense expert. RR5:158, 214–28;
RR6:78. The experienced trial judge has successfully contended with
scientific evidence in the past, even of a novel nature. Kelly, 824
S.W.2d 568. Nothing in the record indicates any problem with explaining
the science or its application in this case.
IV. This Court should uphold both lower courts’ rulings
40
The Daubert/Kelly reliability factors and considerations all weigh
heavily in favor of holding the State’s AHT theory of prosecution reliable.
Daubert, 509 U.S. at 593; Kelly, 824 S.W.2d at 573. AHT has long been
recognized as a clinically valid medical diagnosis; it should continue to be
so recognized. See A Daubert Analysis—Part I, at 505.
Daubert’s flexible guidelines for the admission of expert scientific
testimony do not undermine the two prior court rulings in this case, nor do
they impede cases presenting even stronger competing theories. An article
relied upon Justice Walker in her dissent recognizes this premise. The
article focused on trial judges’ gatekeeping function regarding expert
witness testimony. Wolfe, 459 S.W.3d at 216 (citing Harvey Brown &
Melissa Davis, EIGHT GATES FOR EXPERT WITNESSES: FIFTEEN YEARS LATER,
52 Houston Law Rev. 1 (2014)). That article does not discuss AHT;
however, it mentions SBS in a footnote. The footnote recognizes that there
can be competing schools of thought within a discipline, even with both
sides passing muster under Daubert. Brown & Davis, 52 Houston Law
Rev. at 236, n.1439. The footnote’s proposition rings true in light of the
Supreme Court’s express language about focusing on principles and
methodology, not conclusions. Daubert, at 594–95.
41
While there may be a legitimate battle regarding the reliability of SBS,
the same is not true regarding the differential AHT diagnosis in this case.
Again, in light of the voluminous high-caliber evidence-based diagnostic
literature supporting AHT as a valid diagnosis, the science is trustworthy;
the previous rulings on this issue should be upheld. See generally
Appendix A & B. Additionally, Cook Children’s Medical Centerl fortunately
employs a uniquely-qualified, board-certified, child abuse pediatrician who
thoroughly understands the ADT science, as well as its application within
the context of a differential diagnosis methodology. See A Daubert
Analysis—Part II, at 302–21. Dr. Coffman applied the best available
scientific knowledge, utilizing the respected differential diagnosis
methodology which, in doing so, ruled out this child’s unique
circumstances. The Court should uphold the Court of Appeals ruling
affirming this conviction.
CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
Applying the proper standards of review, the decision of the Court of
Appeals for the Second District of Texas should be affirmed, upholding the
trial court’s ruling, as well.
42
Respectfully submitted,
SHAREN WILSON
Criminal District Attorney
Tarrant County, Texas
DEBRA WINDSOR, Assistant
Criminal District Attorney
Chief, Post-Conviction
/s/ Tanya S. Dohoney
TANYA S. DOHONEY
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, Texas 76196-0201
(817) 884-1687
FAX (817) 884-1672
State Bar No. 02760900
ccaappellatealerts@tarrantcountytx.gov
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
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44
APPENDIX A
Sandeep Narang, M.D., J.D.
A Daubert Analysis of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome
11 HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL'Y 505 (2011)
[A Daubert Analysis—Part I]
APPENDIX B
Sandeep Narang, M.D., J.D., John D. Melville, M.D.,
Christopher S. Greeley, M.D., James D. Anderst, M.D.,
Shannon L. Carpenter, M.D., & Betty Spivack, M.D.
A Daubert Analysis of Abusive Head Trauma—Part II:
An Examination of the Differential Diagnosis
13 HOUS. J. HEALTH L. & POL'Y 203 (2013)
[A Daubert Analysis—Part II]
A
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11 Hous. J. Health L. & Pol'y 505
Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy
Summer 2011
Article
A DAUBERT ANALYSIS OF ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA/SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
Dr. Sandeep Narang, M.D., J.D. a1
Copyright (c) 2011 Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy; Dr. Sandeep Narang, M.D., J.D.
Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) has been known over the years by multiple terms-- “Whiplash Shaken Baby Syndrome,” 1
“Whiplash Shaken Infant Syndrome,” “Shaken Impact Syndrome,” “Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma,” “Non-Accidental
Trauma,” and others. To the lay public, it is most commonly referred to, or recognized as “Shaken Baby Syndrome” (SBS).
Irrespective of the vernacular, 2 AHT has long been recognized as a clinically valid medical diagnosis. 3 However, recent legal
literature, 4 public media, 5 *506 and court decisions have called into question the foundation, and consequent validity, of
AHT/SBS as a valid medical diagnosis. 6
Because of the diagnosis' direct translation and impact in the legal arena, some have gone so far as to champion the cause of its
invalidation under philosophical banners of “protection of the innocent” and “justice.” 7 Broad assertions and generalizations
have been proffered, such as: “the scientific underpinnings of SBS have crumbled over the past decade;” 8 or the medical
research underlying SBS is a “flawed science” 9 predicated upon “circular reasoning,” “data gaps,” and “inconsistency of
case definition.” 10 Additionally, it has been asserted that “as technology and scientific methodology advanced, researchers
questioning the basis for SBS reached a *507 critical mass.” 11
Despite the assertions, what has not been published thus far is a detailed, critical analysis of the medical literature surrounding
AHT, and not only whether that literature meets the Trilogy (Daubert, Joiner, and Kumho) criteria for admissibility of scientific
evidence/testimony, but whether that literature is “flawed” and consequently not predicated upon sound scientific and medical
principles. 12 Part I of this paper shall examine the Trilogy (Daubert, Joiner, and Kumho) criteria for admissibility of expert
testimony/evidence, and the medical and legal quests for sound scientific evidence. Part II of this paper shall explore the issues
surrounding the medical diagnosis of AHT. Specifically, we shall review basic statistical principles utilized in critical evaluation
of medical/scientific literature and then critically analyze the medical literature involving some of the more common injuries 13
associated with AHT. Finally, Part III of this paper shall assess not only whether the medical literature suffices under Daubert,
Joiner, and Kumho scrutiny, but shall briefly examine the contemporary legal *508 issues surrounding admissibility of AHT
testimony and proffer some solutions for those issues.
I. The Trilogy: Daubert, Joiner, and Kumho
A. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For many years in the twentieth century, expert testimony on novel scientific evidence was admissible only if the opinion offered
was based on a “well-recognized scientific principle or discovery . . . [that was] sufficiently established to have gained general
acceptance in the particular field in which it belongs.” 14 That standard, enunciated in Frye v. United States, was also known
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as the “general acceptance” test. 15 In 1993, with the Supreme Court's ruling in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
that standard changed. 16
In Daubert, the Supreme Court evaluated the propriety of a lower court's ruling excluding certain expert testimony in a tort
liability case. 17 In the case, Petitioners Jason Daubert and Eric Schuller were minor children born with serious birth defects. 18
They and their parents had sued the respondent, Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the birth defects were caused by
the mother's ingestion of Merrell Dow's drug, Bendectin (an antinausea medication). 19 The Petitioners sought to proffer expert
testimony. 20 The district court, applying the “general acceptance” test of Frye, denied the admissibility of the petitioner's expert
testimony, and granted summary judgment for the respondent. 21 To settle the divisions among the lower courts regarding the
proper standard for the admission of expert testimony, the Supreme Court granted *509 certiorari. 22
The Court held unanimously that the Frye test had not survived. 23 With regards to the admissibility of expert testimony/
evidence, the Court held that Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) 702 governs, not Frye. 24 The Daubert court held the text of FRE
702, its drafting history, and prior case law 25 mandated a “liberal” and “relaxed” approach to the admission of expert opinion
testimony. 26 The inquiry into admission of expert testimony/evidence was within the province of the trial judge. While the
trial judge's inquiry was to be a “flexible one,” 27 the Daubert court required trial judges to ensure “that any and all scientific
testimony or evidence admitted is not only relevant, but reliable.” 28
With regards to reliability, the Daubert Court stated that “[t]he subject of an expert's testimony must be ‘scientific . . .
knowledge.”’ 29 The Court noted there were definitional differences between science and law on “reliability.” 30 But the Court
went on to state that “evidentiary reliability will be based upon scientific validity.” 31 The Court enunciated four factors a trial
judge could consider in the preliminary assessment of whether proposed testimony was scientifically valid:
1) whether a theory or technique could be (and had been) tested--also known as “falsifiability” or “testability”;
2) whether the theory or technique had been subject to peer review and publication;
3) whether there was a known or potential rate of error; and
*510 4) whether there was general acceptance in the relevant scientific community. 32
The Court remarked that these factors were not a “definitive checklist or test,” but merely factors for consideration in a trial
judge's overall assessment. 33 The Court concluded by stating, “[t]he inquiry envisioned by Rule 702 is, we emphasize, a flexible
one . . . . The focus, of course, must be solely on principles and methodology, not on the conclusions that they generate.” 34
With regards to relevance, the Court explained that expert testimony cannot assist the trier of fact in resolving a factual dispute,
as required by Rule 702, unless the expert's theory is “sufficiently tied to the facts of the case.” 35 The Court remarked, “Rule
702's ‘helpfulness' standard requires a valid scientific connection to the pertinent inquiry as a precondition to admissibility.” 36
B. General Electric Co. v. Joiner
In General Electric Co. v. Joiner, the Court, in expanding upon the Daubert standard, examined and decided two additional,
significant issues regarding the admissibility of scientific expert testimony. 37 First, the Court determined the appropriate
standard for appellate review of a trial court's determination of admissibility of scientific expert testimony. After establishing an
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abuse of discretion standard for appellate review, 38 the Court went on to examine a more important issue of whether existing
scientific evidence can be generalized to address specific causal relationships. 39
In Joiner, the plaintiff asserted that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls had promoted the development of his small-cell
lung *511 cancer. 40 The plaintiff argued that collective consideration of epidemiologic studies (which, when considered
individually and separately, were equivocal), demonstrated a causal relationship. 41 In rejecting this argument, the Court
determined the lower court had not abused its discretion in excluding this scientific testimony because there was no logical
nexus between the methodology employed by the expert and the expert's conclusion. 42 The Court stated:
Trained experts commonly extrapolate from existing data. But nothing in either Daubert or the Federal
Rules of Evidence requires a district court to admit opinion evidence that is connected to existing data only
by the ipse dixit of the expert. A court may conclude that there is simply too great an analytical gap between
the data and the opinion proffered. 43
C. Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael
In Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, the Court examined the issue of the extent of a trial court's “gate-keeping” obligation. 44 Did it
extend only to expert testimony based upon “scientific” knowledge or did it also apply to expert testimony based on “technical”
and/or “other specialized knowledge”? In unanimously holding that a trial court's “gate-keeping” obligation extended to
ALL expert testimony, the Court remarked that Federal Rule of Evidence 702 “makes no relevant distinction between
‘scientific’ knowledge and ‘technical’ or ‘other specialized’ knowledge.” 45 Assurance of reliability of expert testimony,
whether “scientific” or based upon “technical or other specialized knowledge,” was still required. 46
*512 In grappling with this issue, the Court remarked that there will be witnesses “whose expertise is based purely on
experience. . . .” 47 The Court anticipated there would be times when such proffered expert testimony would have to be excluded
because the expert's field lacks reliability. 48 But other than citing astrology and necromancy as such excludable disciplines, the
Court gave no specific guidance on how a trial court could come to such a conclusion. 49 Instead, the Court proffered general
guidance--the “intellectual rigor” test. 50
The Court noted that the four Daubert factors “may or may not be pertinent [: it will all depend] on the nature of the issue,
the expert's particular expertise, and the subject of his testimony.” 51 The Court concluded that a trial court must exercise its
gate-keeping obligation so that the expert, whether relying on “professional studies or personal experience, . . . [will, when
testifying, employ] the same level of intellectual rigor” that the expert would use outside the courtroom when working in the
relevant discipline. 52 In the words of one legal scholar:
The Court seems less absorbed in epistemological issues, in formulating general rules for assessing reliability, or in fleshing
out *513 the implications of its having singled out testability as the preeminent factor of concern. It appears less interested
in a taxonomy of expertise and more concerned about directing judges to concentrate on “the particular circumstances of the
particular case at issue.” This flexible, nondoctrinaire approach is faithful to the intention of the drafters of the Federal Rules
of Evidence . . . . 53
Essentially, for physicians, the Court's decision in Kumho “tethered” the admissibility standard of expert testimony to the
standards of medical practice. 54
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D. The Quest for Sound “Scientific Evidence/Testimony”
“Science is simply common sense at its best; that is, rigidly accurate in observation and merciless to a fallacy in logic.” 55
Thomas Henry Huxley
1. The Legal Perspective
The objective of law is justice. 56 Yet, justice is not merely the search for dispassionate truth, but dispassionate truth that results
in fair and equitable decisions. 57 As the age of science has flourished, science and medicine have increasingly permeated the
law and played crucial roles in the courtroom. 58
In criminal law, the emergence of DNA sampling has resulted in the exoneration of those who were unjustly convicted and
has *514 provided greater confidence in the reliability of future convictions. 59 In tort law, courts are constantly confronted
with causation or risk of injury determinations, which rely heavily on scientific or medical information. 60 In patent law, cases
are heavily immersed in, and decisions frequently hinge upon, technical or scientific information. 61 And, in recent years, the
Supreme Court has examined scientific and medical issues ranging from the propriety of statistical sampling techniques in the
undercounting of certain identifiable groups on the decennial census, 62 to the constitutionality of a state psychopath statute, 63
to the constitutional question of whether the right to liberty in the Due Process Clause of the Fourth Amendment affords citizens
a “right to die.” 64
As our scientific world has grown increasingly complex, courts have become increasingly wary of exposing juries to such
potentially confusing evidence. Additionally, courts have recognized the inherent weight and persuasiveness the designation of
“scientific evidence” can have in the minds of triers of fact. Bolstering that concern, some research suggests that as evidence
becomes more complex and difficult to comprehend, jurors shift their focus to “peripheral indicia of reliability such as the
expert's qualifications or demeanor,” and are more likely to defer to the expert's opinion rather than forming their own. 65 This
deference to *515 scientific evidence has been labeled by some courts as the “aura of infallibility.” 66 Furthermore, a few
recent case reports of wrongful convictions have exacerbated those concerns of juror over-reliance on “scientific evidence.” 67
Nevertheless, in hopes of diminishing the admission of unreliable testimony, courts and legal scholars, both domestic and
international, have endeavored to define sound scientific evidence. The Daubert Court stated:
The adjective “scientific” implies a grounding in the methods and procedures of science. . . . “Science is not an encyclopedic
body of knowledge about the universe. Instead, it represents a process for proposing and refining theoretical explanations
about the world that are subject to further testing and refinement” . . . . Proposed testimony must be supported by appropriate
validation--i.e., “good grounds,” based on what is known. 68
In the words of one learned commentator, evidence is scientifically valid if “it results from sound and cogent reasoning.” 69
Other scholars, echoing the Court's decisions in Daubert and Kumho state, “[i]t is how conclusions are reached, not what the
conclusions are, that makes them ‘good science.”’ 70 In the words of the Honorable Stephen Breyer, Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court:
*516 The search is not a search for scientific precision. . . . A judge is not a scientist, and a courtroom is not a scientific
laboratory. But consider the remark made by the physicist Wolfgang Pauli. After a colleague asked whether a certain scientific
paper was wrong, Pauli replied, “That paper isn't even good enough to be wrong!” Our objective is to avoid legal decisions
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that reflect that paper's so-called science. The law must seek decisions that fall within the boundaries of scientifically sound
knowledge. 71
In the United Kingdom, the Law Commission recently proposed reformation of English Law with regards to admissibility of
expert scientific evidence. 72 After a comprehensive review of the topic, the Commission found the Daubert court's analysis
and conclusions regarding the admissibility of expert scientific testimony and evidence to be cogent, sound, and, ultimately,
convincing. 73 Noting that many judges in England and Wales were already making admissibility decisions based upon the
Daubert standard, the Commission recommended formal adoption of Daubert's “gate-keeping” role for a trial judge and
Daubert's validity-based (reliability and relevance) admissibility test for expert scientific evidence. 74
Although many have judged the trilogy (Daubert, Joiner and Kumho) to be a laudable attempt to bridge the treacherous
crosscurrents of science and law, numerous issues regarding the determination of “sound scientific testimony” have remained
unanswered. For example, with regards to the “analytical gap” between research data and expert opinion addressed in Joiner, 75
what is a sufficient amount and quality of evidence an expert may rely upon in bridging that “gap” in forming his/her opinion?
Are medical textbooks (which are essentially expert treatises) authoritative references upon which experts may rely in forming
their opinions? With regards to the “intellectual rigor” test of Kumho, what will be the applicable standard of professional
practice to apply when, as often occurs in medical practice, multiple disciplines *517 are involved? Who determines the
applicable standard of professional practice? Individual experts? National organizations? Additionally, some have echoed
concerns about the onerous burden Daubert's gate-keeping requirements have placed on the single trial judge. 76 As the
Honorable Judge Alex Kozinski of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stated:
Our responsibility, then, unless we badly misread the Supreme Court's opinion, is to resolve disputes among
respected, well-credentialed scientists about matters squarely within their expertise, in areas where there is
no scientific consensus as to what is and what is not “good science,” and occasionally to reject such expert
testimony because it was not “derived by the scientific method.” Mindful of our position in the hierarchy
of the federal judiciary, we take a deep breath and proceed with this heady task. 77
Empirical evidence has substantiated Judge Kozinski's concerns. In a 2001 survey of 400 state court judges, 96% of the
judges failed to demonstrate even a basic understanding of two of the four Daubert criteria. 78 When assessing the concept of
“falsifiability,” a principle specifically enunciated in Daubert, 96% of *518 the judges lacked even a basic understanding of
this core scientific concept. 79 When asked to comment on the value of Daubert to their decision-making process, only 55% of
judges found Daubert to provide a “great deal” of value. 80 Consequently, the researchers concluded that “[t]he survey findings
strongly suggest that judges have difficulty operationalizing the Daubert criteria and applying them . . . .” 81
Expectedly, the courts have grappled with confusion and responded with variable and inconsistent decisions. Some courts have
attempted to reduce determinations of sound scientific evidence to “simple all-or-nothing rules, such as . . . doubling . . . the
background rate of disease as proof of causality.” 82 Some have required peer-reviewed studies 83 or statistical data 84 prior
to admitting expert testimony. Some have dismissed case reports as non-scientific, 85 whereas other courts have given them
significant weight. 86 Finally, some courts have disallowed expert testimony when such reliance was based primarily upon
“animal studies [, have] cautioned against extrapolation of dosage levels, and [have] objected to generalization across similar
substances.” 87
Whereas courts once greeted scientific evidence and testimony with deferential respect and relative trust, recent empirical data
demonstrates that the legal pendulum has swung the other way. An *519 “analysis by the Rand Corporation of a sample of 399
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published and unpublished federal district court decisions” demonstrated a more restrictive approach by federal courts to the
admissibility of scientific testimony and a shift “toward excluding proffered scientific and technical evidence.” 88 Additionally,
a recent survey of federal judges and attorneys by the Federal Judicial Center “confirmed a shift toward more demanding
standards for admissibility” of scientific testimony and evidence. 89 In the words of one learned commentator, “[t]he courts
appear to be asserting standards that they attribute to the medical profession, but that are inconsistent and sometimes more
demanding than actual medical practice.” 90
2) The Medical Perspective
If the objective of law is justice, then the objective of medicine is to care for the patient. To truly understand the medical
perspective, one must understand and accept the canon that medicine is inherently, by its nature, an inexact science. 91 There are
aspects of medicine (for example laboratory research), which are more scientific in nature. But the fields of medicine that deal
with direct patient interaction, also known as clinical medicine, are not exclusively scientific. The human interaction inherently
introduces variables (such as the nuances of effective communication and an individual's behavioral, social, economic, and
cultural norms and biases) that are not readily reducible to empirical scientific data and most certainly affect the outcome. The
medical provider's judicious interplay of the human variable with the scientific data of the *520 human body is what has been
termed by many as the art 92 of clinical medicine. 93
It is important to understand that the designation of an “art” is not a relegation to imprecision or lack of reliability. On the
contrary, clinical medical decision-making is grounded in the roots of the scientific method. As Dr. Mark McClellan, Co-
Chair of Institute of Medicine's 2007 Annual Meeting, stated, “[physicians'] education includes the scientific basis of health
and disease. They have been trained to use scientific literature to compare alternative approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
They do their best to stay up-to-date through reading and conferences.” 94 Additionally, physicians receive basic training on
statistical analysis, often apply those principles to critically evaluate the medical literature, and sometimes pursue advanced
degrees in statistical expertise (like biostatistics or epidemiology).
While the cognitive underpinnings of the diagnostic process are rational and scientifically sound, ultimately, “[a]ll diagnostic
hypotheses represent probabilistic judgments . . . that have variable probabilities of being correct.” 95 Furthermore, physicians
are as susceptible as anyone to biases, preconceptions, or “intrusions of emotion,” any or all of which can influence clinical
judgment and actions. 96 Physicians can, and do, avoid, or at least minimize, errors in cognition by maintaining awareness of
the pitfalls of heuristics, and how personal biases and emotional temperature can affect them. 97
*521 Physicians have continually reflected upon the clinical decision-making process, repeatedly assessing its cogency and
need for improvement. 98 As technologic advancements in medical informatics occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, large volumes
of medical literature were synthesized into computer indices and became available for large-scale statistical analysis. 99 This
bred a new type of medical evidence, the systematic review. 100 On the heels of these technologic innovations, and the
consequent ability to conduct comprehensive reviews of large volumes of medical literature, the Evidence-Based Medicine
(EBM) movement came afoot. 101
EBM has been characterized by one of its pioneers, Dr. David Sackett, as the “conscientious, explicit, and judicious use
of current best evidence in making decisions about individual care.” 102 Dr. Harvey Fineberg, President of the Institute of
Medicine, recently stated that, “[t]he central notion in EBM [is] the importance of integrating individual clinical expertise
with the best available external evidence.” 103 This will provide “a helpful framework for providers to navigating uncertainty
inherent in patient care.” 104 In fact, most healthcare providers strive to be “evidence-based” in their *522 practice. 105
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Despite an increased focus on “evidence basis” in their practice, “studies repeatedly show marked variability in what healthcare
providers actually do in a given [clinical] situation.” 106 Many had hoped that EBM would be the panacea to the judicial pains
over medical practice guidelines and interpretation of medical evidence. However, as lingering controversies between reputed
medical bodies 107 demonstrate, it has not been that panacea. 108 Additionally, there are some areas of medicine, where the
evidence is so sparse, that EBM simply cannot be instructive either for Medicine or Law. 109
Ultimately, the physician must sagely balance his scientific knowledge, underscored by statistical data, his emotional
temperature and potential biases, and the myriad complexities that make up the “human” variable. “Statistics cannot substitute
for the human being before you; statistics embody averages, not individuals. Numbers can only complement a physician's
personal experience . . . .” 110 That is the “Art” of Clinical Medicine. Explicit evidence is only a portion of what physicians do.
II. Abusive Head Trauma as a Medical Diagnosis
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” 111
George Santayana
*523 A. History
Much of what we currently know about AHT is the result of decades of meticulous, tireless work by physicians from various
disciplines from all over the world. 112 Many of these historical clinicians did not have the benefit of advanced laboratory or
radiographic techniques such as coagulation (clotting) studies, CTs or MRIs. They relied only upon their clinical skills and
acumen. As time and medical technology have evolved, additional studies have corroborated their clinical suspicions, lending
further credence to their clinical acumen.
While it can safely be said that the medical community, and society in general, did not recognize child abuse as a valid entity
until the mid-twentieth century, it was a French forensic physician, Auguste Ambroise Tardieu (fig. 1), who penned the first
detailed medical description of child abuse in his 1860 publication Etude Medico-Legale sur les Sevices et Mauvais Traitements
Exerces sur des Enfants (Forensic Study on Cruelty and Ill Treatment of Children; fig. 2). 113 Tardieu was the leading forensic
expert of his time, holding prestigious positions such as dean of the faculty of medicine at the University of Paris and president of
the French Academy of Medicine. 114 He published works on child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, and child labor laws. 115
In his 1860 publication, Tardieu detailed thirty-two cases of child abuse, describing bruises of varying colors, skeletal fractures,
and subdural hemorrhages (SDHs). 116 Tardieu also described findings of infanticide, including cases without external signs
of injury, but where hemorrhage in the brain and collections of blood *524 over the brain were described. 117 In these
writings, Tardieu clearly expressed his belief that the abuse was inflicted by parents or caretakers of the child. 118 Although
his considerable influence led to revision of French child labor laws, Tardieu's works on child abuse went unappreciated and
essentially ignored. 119
The mid-to-late nineteenth century was a period of significant medical advancements. 120 Secondary to the works of Louis
Pasteur and others, Germ theory became the predominant explanation for previously unexplained maladies. 121 Diseases such
as scurvy, rickets, and even SDHs, were thought to be infectious. 122 A highly prominent physician, Rudolf Virchow, proposed
the theory that SDHs, because they frequently presented with a membrane, were caused by inflammation and infection. 123 He
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termed this theory “pachymeningitis hemorrhagica interna”. 124 Because of Virchow's significant stature within the medical
community, and because the theory fit within the greater framework of the prevailing germ theory, the inflammation/infection
theory of SDHs (“pachymeningitis hemorrhagica interna”) was accepted for many decades. 125
It was not until the early twentieth century that trauma began to be realized as an important cause of SDHs. 126 While earlier
reports of the 20 th century (despite a significant lack of evidence) still tended to support infectious or nutritional deficits as
the cause of the SDHs, *525 later reports began to identify trauma as the primary etiology. 127 Additionally, many of those
reports documented the association of SDHs, ophthalmic hemorrhages, and sometimes bone lesions in infants. 128
In 1914, the prominent British neurosurgeon, Wilfred Trotter (fig. 3), published a report declaring trauma as the true cause of
SDHs. 129 Trotter was a distinguished and accomplished physician who held many significant positions, not the least of which
was his position as private physician to King George V. 130 Frustrated by the term “pachymeningitis hemorrhagica interna,”
Trotter asserted that the term presumed an infectious or inflammatory etiology and thus was a misleading hypothesis. 131
Trotter stated, “[h]aemorrhagic pachymeningitis is almost if not quite invariably a true traumatic haemorrhage coming from
veins torn in their course between the brain and a dural sinus.” 132 Trotter's work paved the way for other physicians,
especially neurosurgeons, to re-examine the pathophysiology of SDHs. 133 As a consequence, multiple case reports by well-
reputed physicians began to question other previously well-recognized causes-- syphilis, 134 hydrocephalus, 135 nutritional
(scurvy), 136 and other infectious 137 --as the primary *526 etiology for SDHs. 138
Then, in 1946, Dr. John Caffey (considered by many to be the father of pediatric radiology), examined the correlation of SDHs
and long bone fractures in a separate field of medicine--radiology. 139 After seeing repetitive cases of injuries over many years,
Caffey published a case series of six infants with SDHs and long bone fractures. 140 In none of the six cases was there a historical
report of trauma or of systemic disease. 141 Nevertheless, after systematically ruling out all other causes, Caffey concluded
that trauma was the most logical etiology for these radiologic findings. 142 Caffey even associated the retinal hemorrhages in
several of these cases to trauma. 143 Caffey, however, was reluctant to conclude inflicted injury in these cases. 144
Secondary to Caffey's work, in 1953, another prominent radiologist, Frederic Silverman, catalogued radiographic signs of what
he termed to be the “most common bone ‘disease’ of infancy”: skeletal trauma. 145 In identifying trauma as the most common
cause of SDHs and bone fractures in infants, Silverman meticulously ruled out all nutritional and metabolic causes. 146 In
the two decades following Caffey's historic article, multiple articles from national and international authors confirmed the
association of SDHs with *527 inflicted trauma. 147
It was not until 1962 that the work of an eminent pediatrician, C. Henry Kempe (fig. 4) and his colleagues (radiologist Frederic
Silverman and psychiatrist Brandt Steele) brought the issue of child abuse to the medical and national forefront. In their landmark
article, The Battered-Child Syndrome (fig. 5), Kempe et al. carefully and thoughtfully described a syndrome of various injuries,
including SDHs, that resulted from trauma. 148 However, unlike the vast majority of physicians that preceded them, Kempe
et al. concluded that these injuries resulted from the intentional acts of parents or other care-givers. 149 Kempe et al. stated
that abuse:
should be considered in any child exhibiting evidence of fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, failure
to thrive, soft tissue swellings or skin bruising, in any child who dies suddenly, or where the degree and
type of injury is at variance with the history given regarding the occurrence of trauma. 150
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In support of their conclusions, the authors had surveyed 71 hospitals nationwide, with a report of over 300 cases in which 33
children had died and 85 had suffered permanent brain damage in one year. 151
*528 As a consequence of Kempe et al.'s historic work and the general medical community's increasing acceptance of child
abuse as a viable medical diagnosis, case reports continued to publish the presence of concurrent SDHs, retinal hemorrhages,
and bony lesions in infants, often without external signs of trauma. 152 Finally, in the early 1970s, based upon the work of
Wilfred Trotter, numerous case reports, and the experimental biomechanical evidence of Ommaya and his colleagues, 153 a
British neurosurgeon, A. Norman Guthkelch, and the father of pediatric radiology, John Caffey, proposed shaking or whiplash
injury as the cause of infantile SDHs. 154
In theorizing that multiple acceleration and deceleration events, caused by head shaking, resulted in the intracranial injuries,
Guthkelch stated that, “the relatively large head and puny neck muscles of the infant must render it particularly vulnerable
to whiplash injury.” 155 Meanwhile, Caffey published a series of case reports identifying the “pattern of concurrent SDHs,
[sometimes] bony lesions, and retinal hemorrhages in infants thought to be injured by shaking.” 156 In fact, in the words of
two learned authors: “It is difficult to comprehend how the common association between SDH and skeletal injuries, and the
etiologic factors [trauma] linking the two, could have eluded the scrutiny of all but a handful of physicians and surgeons dealing
with children until Caffey reported *529 his historic observations.” 157
B. “A Flawed Science”? 158
As mentioned earlier, certain legal scholars have asserted that “the scientific underpinnings of SBS have crumbled over the past
decade,” 159 that the medical research underlying “SBS is a flawed science” 160 predicated upon “circular reasoning,” “data
gaps,” and “inconsistency of case definition,” 161 and that “as technology and scientific methodology advanced, researchers
questioning the basis for SBS reached a critical mass.” 162 In order to appropriately assess the sufficiency of the scientific
evidence underlying AHT/SBS, some basic statistical concepts must be discussed.
1. Basic Statistical Principles & Quality of Evidence
Statistical evidence is an important complement to the practice of clinical medicine. Statistical evidence can offer probabilities
and estimations of the risk of disease states in certain patient populations. It can help guide determinations of appropriate and
inappropriate diagnostic testing in certain clinical scenarios. Moreover, it can provide empirical support for optimal therapeutic
interventions in cases where treatment is warranted. However, statistical evidence cannot substitute for clinical judgment. It
is a complement, not a replacement.
The field of statistics generally encompasses collecting, analyzing, presenting, and drawing inferences from data. 163 For the
limited purposes of this article, we will review the general statistical *530 principles involved in collecting and drawing
inferences from data. 164
a. Collection of Data
It has been stated that “[a]n analysis is only as good as the data on which it rests.” 165 The attainment of valid, reliable data
is, to a large extent, determined by the design of the study. 166 When the issue is causation, there are three general types of
explanatory information provided: anecdotal evidence, observational studies, and controlled experiments. 167 Each of these
types of information has its limitations. 168
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Anecdotal reports, while offering information that can be the stimulus for further study, can be misleading and, therefore, are
insufficient to conclusively establish association. 169 Observational studies can provide strong evidence of association, but
further analysis is necessary “to bridge the gap from association to causation.” 170 And controlled experiments, while ideal for
determining causation, are often too expensive and cumbersome to undertake. 171 Examples of observational studies include
case reports or case reviews, where as examples of controlled experiments include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-
randomized *531 controlled studies (such as non-randomized dose finding studies). 172 Because observational studies and
controlled experiments are the more reliable types of information, 173 it is important to understand the value of, and distinction
between, the two.
“In a controlled experiment, the investigators decide which subjects are exposed to the factor of interest and which subjects go
into a control group.” 174 In “observational studies, the subjects themselves choose their exposures.” 175 Thus, in observational
studies, the experimental” (or “treatment”) group will most likely differ from the control group “with respect to . . . [many]
factors other than the one of primary interest. 176 These many “other factors” are also known as “confounding variables,” and
could be limitations to the validity of the results if not properly accounted for in the design of the study. 177 “In randomized
controlled experiments, investigators assign subjects to [experimental (or “treatment”) and] control groups at random.” 178 By
assigning subjects randomly to either the experimental or control groups, the investigator “tends to balance the groups with
respect to possible confounders,” thus enhancing the likelihood that the groups are comparable except for the factor of interest
(or treatment). 179
It is noteworthy that “[t]he bulk of the statistical studies . . . [presented] in court are observational, not experimental.” 180
Observational studies (i.e., case reports and case reviews) can provide compelling evidence when certain circumstances are
present:
*532 1) When “[t]he association is seen in studies of different types among different groups” (“This reduces the chance that
the observed association is due to a defect in one type of study or a peculiarity in one group of subjects.”);
2) “[W]hen the effects of plausible confounding variables are taken into account by appropriate statistical techniques;” and
3) When “[t]here is a plausible explanation for the effect of the independent variables.” 181
In general, “observational studies succeed to the extent that their [experimental (or treatment)] and control groups are
comparable.” 182 If a study is well designed, accounting for confounding variables, it is deemed to be internally valid. 183
However, the generalization of the conclusions of a study, or its “external validity,” is a different matter. 184 Finally, a study
is “reliable” if its results are reproducible by scientists in separate studies. 185
In the realm of clinical medicine, observational studies are not just the norm but the cornerstone of medical diagnoses. Almost
all well-established, undisputed medical diagnoses have no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) supporting or validating their
diagnostic criteria. For example, migraine headaches have an extensive historical basis in the medical literature for evaluation,
diagnosis, and therapy. In fact, the International Headache Society lists clear diagnostic criteria for migraine headaches, and
provides the most up-to-date medical literature in support of that diagnostic criterion. 186 Yet, throughout the extensive body
of medical literature on migraine headaches, there is not one RCT evaluating the diagnostic criteria for migraine headaches, or
their validity. But *533 there is no dispute regarding the validity of migraine headaches as a medical diagnosis. 187 Such is
also the case for multiple other well-established, undisputed, common medical diagnoses--viral upper respiratory infections (the
common cold), community acquired pneumonia, otitis media (ear infection), depression, and all other psychiatric disorders. In
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short, the requirement that an RCT is necessary in order to validate diagnostic criteria of a particular medical diagnosis is not
only inaccurate but also inconsistent with the vast majority of clinical medicine. 188
At this point, it is relevant, and important, to examine one piece of medical literature which is often cited by opponents 189
of AHT as evidence of the paucity of sound medical literature on AHT (SBS): “Evidence-Based Medicine and Shaken Baby
Syndrome Part 1: Literature Review, 1966-1998.” 190 In this four-page article, the author proffers “neutrality,” and proceeds to
educate the reader about properly conducted studies, with sound methodological design, which fall into a “quality of evidence
ratings” system. 191 Based upon the author's search of the Medline database, and the Internet via “Internet Explorer,” using only
the search term “shaken baby syndrome,” the author finds only seventy-one articles (in a span of thirty-two years of medical
literature) on the topic of AHT (SBS). 192 The author then reduces those seventy-one articles to fifty-four because some of the
articles “only peripherally mention” SBS or are somehow “unrelated” to SBS. 193 Of those fifty-four remaining *534 articles,
the author finds only one “randomized control trial” and twenty-six case series (twenty-five retrospective and one prospective),
and a total of 307 cases of SBS. 194 Based upon the author's review of this literature, he concludes that in studies conducted
before 1999 there exist “serious data gaps, flaws of logic, [and] inconsistency of case definition” in SBS; catch-phrases which
have been frequently reified in some medical and legal literature. 195 Consequently, the author concludes that “the commonly
held opinion that the finding of SDH and RH in an infant was strong evidence of SBS was unsustainable, at least from the
medical literature.” 196
Evidence-Based Medicine and Shaken Baby Syndrome Part 1: Literature Review, 1966-1998 is a prime example of poor
medical literature, which somehow makes its way into a medical publication. Ironically, the article itself suffers from fatal
methodological flaws and data gaps, but professes to assess the methodology of SBS studies and finds “data gaps” in them. 197
It is unclear why, and unacceptable that, the author chooses to conduct his search with the confining search term of “shaken
baby syndrome.” The author fails to search other common terms such as “inflicted neurotrauma,” “non-accidental trauma,”
“whiplash shaken infant/baby syndrome,” or even more general terminology such as “subdural hemorrhage/hematoma” or
“retinal hemorrhage.” 198 Because of this methodological flaw, as will be demonstrated below, the author misses the vast
majority of literature on AHT and even the seminal articles by Guthkelch and Caffey. 199 Additionally, the author offers no
critical analysis of any of the articles cited, no assessment of the designs of any of the individual studies, no reference to the
statistical information, and no analysis of any of the statistical data *535 or the inferences drawn from them. 200
Finally, the author incorrectly uses the quality of evidence ratings system. The author asserts that the best evidence is “Level
1” quality of evidence (RCTs), and this is not found in the diagnostic studies involving AHT/SBS. 201 However, as discussed
above, RCTs (the “Level 1” quality of evidence) are NOT appropriate for diagnostic studies. The AHT literature, like many
other diagnoses (such as migraine headaches), should not be criticized for the existence of a “higher” level of evidence that
is inappropriate to the question being asked. Thus, even the most ardent EBM advocate would admit that the best quality of
evidence that can be expected in diagnostic studies is “Level 2” evidence (well-designed case series). And of this, as will be
detailed below, there is abundant evidence in the AHT literature.
It is troubling that legal scholars and some courts have relied upon this article as an adequate assessment of the medical literature
surrounding AHT. 202 Any future reliance upon this article should be seriously questioned.
b. Drawing Inferences from Data
Upon attainment of data, an investigator must determine what significance should be given to that data. In so doing, the
investigator must determine whether the results obtained are attributable to random error. 203 Did “chance” produce the
results? 204 Would a different pattern emerge if more data were collected? 205 In assessing the potential impact of chance error,
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an investigator must consider the precision of the data (i.e., the standard deviation and *536 degree of confidence) and the
statistical significance (the p-value) of the data. 206
In assessing precision of the data, a standard deviation (or standard error) gives the investigator an estimate of the magnitude
of random error. 207 A standard deviation is a variability range of data from the “mean” of the data. 208 Assuming a normal
distribution of data, one standard deviation from the mean of data is commonly understood to encompass 68% of the data. 209
For example, the average height for adult women in the United States is about 64 inches, with a standard deviation of around
3 inches. 210 This means that most women (about 68%, assuming a normal distribution) have a height within 3 inches of the
mean (61-67 inches). 211 Two standard deviations from the mean encompass 95% of the data. 212 Thus, in our example with
height of adult women in the United States, two standard deviations would be a height within 6 inches of the mean, or 58-70
inches. Since the standard deviation “measures the likely size of the random error[, i]f the standard deviation or error is small,
the estimate probably is close to the truth.” 213
Confidence intervals are another manner of expressing reliability in the interval data. 214 Again, assuming a normal distribution
curve, a 95% confidence interval indicates a range of data from -2 standard deviations to +2 standard deviations. 215 “A *537
high confidence level alone means very little, but a high confidence level for a small [data] interval is impressive, indicating
that the random error in the . . . [interval] is low. 216
In assessing statistical significance, it is important to understand the concept of the p-value. The p-value is “[t]he probability of
getting, just by chance, a test statistic as large as or larger than the observed value.” 217 In more simple terms, it is the probability
the result obtained is secondary to chance. 218 In social sciences and medicine, this “observed significance level” (the p-value)
is usually set at 5% (or 0.05) for “statistically significant,” 1% (or 0.01) for “moderately high” statistical significance, and 0.1%
(or 0.001) for “high or strong” statistical significance. 219 Thus, “[i]f p is smaller than 5% [(or 0.05)], the result is said to be
‘statistically significant.”’ 220 Small p-values speak against the hypothesis that the *538 result can be explained by chance,
while large p-values indicate that chance cannot be ruled out as an explanation for the data. 221
A few other statistical concepts in clinical medicine are important to discuss briefly: “sensitivity,” “specificity,” “positive
predictive value,” “negative predictive value,” and “odds ratio.” “Sensitivity” is “the probability that a test for a disease will
give a positive result” when the patient actually has the disease. 222 Put simply, it is actually the chance the condition will
be found by the test. 223 “Specificity” is “the probability that a test for disease will give a negative result when the patient
does not have the disease.” 224 Put simply, it is the chance that someone without the disease will actually have a negative
test. 225 “Positive predictive value” is the proportion of patients who have positive test results and actually have the disease
or condition. 226 This value is very important in diagnostic testing as it reflects the probability that a positive test reflects the
underlying condition being tested. 227 “Negative predictive value” is the “proportion of patients with negative test results who
are correctly diagnosed.” 228 “An “odds ratio” is a way of comparing whether the probability of a certain event is the same for
two groups.” 229 “An odds ratio of one implies that the event is equally likely in both groups. 230 An odds ratio greater than
one *539 implies that the event is more likely in the first group.” 231
2. The Statistical Evidence
The peer-reviewed medical literature on the topic of AHT is voluminous. It is somewhat confusing how any author could assert
there is a paucity of “quality” medical literature on the topic. 232 In hopes of clarifying and substantiating this matter, this author
has compiled a brief bibliography (Appendix A) 233 of the peer-reviewed medical literature on the topic, organized by types
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of articles in the various subspecialties, so the reader may judge the literature for himself/herself. 234 A critical analysis of the
quality of some of that literature will be discussed herein below.
In general, there have been at least two treatises, comprising more than 880 pages, on the topic of AHT. 235 Additionally, there
are at least 14 chapters, comprising another approximate 260 pages, on the topic of AHT within larger child maltreatment/
abuse texts. 236 In addition to that, there are over 700 peer-reviewed, clinical medical *540 articles, 237 comprising thousands
of pages of medical literature, published by over 1000 different medical authors, from at least 28 different countries 238 on
the topic of AHT. Furthermore, the topic of AHT has been examined, studied, and published in the following disciplines:
biomechanical engineering, general pediatrics, neonatology, neurology, neurosurgery, nursing, obstetrics, ophthalmology,
orthopedics, pathology (including forensic pathology), radiology, and rehabilitative medicine.
With regards to the “quality” of medical literature, it bears remembering that retrospective reviews are not inherently (by
the nature of being retrospective or non-randomized) unreliable. It is the design of the review and the quality of the analysis
(i.e., accountability for bias, confounding variables, interpretation of data, etc.) that determines the validity of the results.
Nevertheless, even with that proviso, there have been at least eight systematic reviews, over fifteen controlled trials, over
fifty comparative cohort studies or prospective case series, and numerous well-designed, retrospective case series/reports,
comprising thousands of cases, supporting the diagnosis of AHT. 239 As will be discussed in detail below, in this author's
review of all of the published, peer-reviewed, clinical *541 medical literature (greater than 700 articles), there is not one
clinical study that demonstrates a greater statistical association of either subdural hemorrhages or retinal hemorrhages with
accidental trauma over abusive head trauma. Additionally, since there has been criticism of the questionable “quality” of the
medical literature supporting AHT (i.e., a lack of randomized, controlled studies), 240 it is important to note that almost all of
the papers “questioning” the validity of AHT (save two or three) are non-randomized, retrospective case series/reports, and
without comparative control groups. In fact, many are single case reports.
a. Subdural Hemorrhages
The differential diagnosis (i.e., list of potential causes) for subdural hemorrhages (SDHs) is extensive. A summarized list of
those causes is detailed in Appendix B. When traumatic, the mechanism for the SDH is either a contact (or impact) force or
an inertial (acceleration-deceleration) force or both. 241 “Contact . . . [forces] cause damage at the site . . . [where] contact
occurs. 242 “Disruption of the skull's integrity secondary to the contact force can result in a disruption of the underlying blood
vessels and consequent development of a hemorrhage. 243 These hemorrhages can be epidural (outside the dura mater), subdural
(in the potential space underneath the dura mater), or, sometimes, intradural (within the layers of the dura). 244 In inertial events,
the acceleration-deceleration motion of the brain results in strain upon the cortical bridging veins, which exceeds their tolerance
levels and subsequently leads to rupture and hemorrhage (subdural and/or subarachnoid). 245
Although there are many potential causes of SDHs, several *542 studies indicate that trauma is the most common cause. 246
In one such prospective study of all infants ages zero to two in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland, from 1998 to 1999, Hobbs
et al. identified 186 infants with SDHs (by CT, MRI, ultrasound, or post-mortem examination). 247 Of the 186 infants with
SDHs, 113 (61%) had SDHs caused by trauma, 30 (16%) by infection or other non-traumatic medical cause, and 43 (23%) by
an undetermined cause. 248 Of the 113 traumatic SDHs, 106 (94%) were determined to be of non-accidental etiology, and only
7 (6%) were determined to be accidental. 249 Similar results were noted in retrospective reviews by Jayawant et al. in Wales
and southwest England from 1993 to 1995, Trenchs et al. in Barcelona, Spain from 1995 to 2005, and Tzioumi & Oates' in the
Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Australia. 250
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Feldman et al. confirmed a predominance of non-accidental injury over accidental injury as the etiology of SDHs in their
2001 prospective study of 66 children, under age three, with SDHs. 251 Feldman et al. excluded patients that presented with
SDHs secondary to known hemorrhagic disease (i.e., bleeding disorder), prior neurosurgical procedure, previously recognized
perinatal (i.e., near birth) brain injury, or infection. 252 In efforts to avoid “circularity” concerns, Feldman et al. designed their
study such that retinal hemorrhages (RHs) were not a part of the classification *543 criteria for intentional injury. 253 In their
cohort, Feldman et al. found that of the 66 patients, 39 (59%) patients were confirmed as suffering intentional injury, 15 (23%)
were unintentional or accidental, and 12 (18%) were undetermined. 254
Pathology studies have also confirmed the predominance of trauma, and more specifically non-accidental trauma, as the cause
of SDHs. 255 In 2009, Matschke et al., published the results of their fifty-year retrospective review of the causes of death for
infants less than one year old. 256 Of 715 infant deaths, only 50 infants (7%) were identified with SDHs. 257 Of those 50
SDHs, 15 (30%) were traumatic, 13 (26%) were secondary to bleeding/clotting disorders, 13 (26%) were perinatal, 4 (8%)
were infectious, 4 (8%) were undetermined, and 1 (2%) was secondary to metabolic disease. 258 Of the traumatic SDHs, 14
(93%) were secondary to non-accidental trauma, and only 1 (7%) was accidental. 259 Thus, Matschke et al. concluded that
“most . . . [SDHs are] attributable to trauma, with NAHI [(Non-Accidental Head Injuries)] substantially outnumbering accidental
injuries . . . .” 260
Although SDHs are not specific 261 for non-accidental injury, several well-designed prospective studies demonstrate a
significant and strong association of SDHs with non-accidental/inflicted trauma over accidental trauma. 262 In 1992, Duhaime
et al. published *544 the results of their prospective study of 100 patients less than two years of age who suffered head
injuries. 263 In efforts to avoid “circularity” concerns, Duhaime et al. used strict criteria for determining “inflicted” injury. 264
The authors excluded retinal hemorrhages (RHs) as a diagnostic criterion, and they only included SDHs that had no history of
trauma but had clinical or radiologic findings of blunt impact to the head. 265 Thus, the authors designed an algorithm, which
was “deliberately biased to reduce false positives and thus may underestimate the true incidence of child abuse.” 266 In Duhaime
et al.'s cohort, 76 patients were determined to be from accidental causes and 24 were determined to be “inflicted.” 267 Duhaime
et al. found that only 3 out of 76 (8%) patients in the accidental group had SDHs, while 13 out of 24 (54%) patients in the
“inflicted” group had SDHs. 268 This computed to a p-value of less than 0.0002, meaning these findings could have occurred
by random chance no more than two times in 10,000 patients. 269 Thus, Duhaime et al. concluded that the relationship between
inflicted injury and SDHs was highly statistically significant. 270
In 2004, Bechtel et al. produced similar results. 271 The authors prospectively studied 82 children, age zero to twenty-four
months, who were admitted to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital from *545 August 2000 to October 2002 for head
trauma. 272 In avoiding “circularity” concerns, the authors classified “inflicted” head injury only if there was clear evidence of
head injury and no trauma history provided, if there was a traumatic history incompatible with the developmental capabilities
of the infant, if there was a confession of inflicting the injury, if there was a witnessed inflicted injury, or if there was evidence
of other physical injuries which were characteristic of inflicted injury (e.g., patterned bruises, etc.). 273 The authors did not
include RHs in the diagnostic criterion of “inflicted” injury. 274 Of the eighty-two patients, sixty-seven were determined to be
“accidental,” and fifteen were determined to be “inflicted.” 275 Bechtel et al. found that 12/15 (80%) patients in the “inflicted”
head injury group had SDHs, while only 18/67 (27%) patients in the “accidental” head injury group had SDHs. 276 This
computed to a p-value of less than 0.001. 277 Again, this meant that these findings could have occurred by chance or randomly
no more than one in 1,000. 278 Thus, Bechtel et al. also concluded that the association of SDHs with inflicted injury was highly
statistically significant. 279
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In 2010, Vinchon et al. published the results of their prospective series of eighty-four patients, from 2001 to 2009, with
independent corroboration of head injury. 280 In Vinchon et al.'s cohort, thirty-nine patients were witnessed accidents and forty-
five patients were confessed inflicted head injury. 281 Only 17 out of 39 (44%) witnessed accidents had SDHs, while 37 out
of 45 (82%) inflicted head injury *546 patients had SDHs. 282 This computed to a p-value of less than 0.001. 283 As with
Duhaime et al. and Bechtel et al., Vinchon et al. concluded that the association SDHs with non-accidental injury was highly
statistically significant. 284 Several other well-designed, prospective and retrospective general pediatric studies have found
similar results and come to the same conclusion. 285
Radiology studies have helped to further characterize the appearance of SDHs seen in AHT cases. Multifocal SDHs,
interhemispheric SDHs (located between the two hemispheres of the brain), and convexity SDHs (located at the front or back
“curves” of the brain) have a stronger statistical association with non-accidental trauma than with accidental trauma. 286 In
2002, Wells et al. published the results of a retrospective review of the CTs of 293 children, under age three, with intracranial
hemorrhage at the *547 Children's Hospital of Wisconsin from 1991 to 2001. 287 Blinded to the CT findings, an injury
was classified as “intentional if there was a confession of abuse, the injuries were incompatible with the stated mechanism
of injury, or the caretaker offered no explanation for the injuries.” 288 “An injury was classified as “unintentional if it was
witnessed by someone other than the caretaker or there were no discrepancies between the described mechanism and the
physical findings.” 289 Then, blinded to the clinical findings, a pediatric radiologist reviewed the CT findings for the presence
and location of intracranial hemorrhage and other intracranial abnormalities. 290 Wells et al. found that 105 out of 148 (71%)
intentional injury patients had an interhemispheric SDH, while only 21 out of 109 (19%) unintentional injury patients had an
interhemispheric SDH; and, 99 out of 148 (67%) intentional injury patients had a convexity SDH, as compared with 14 out of
109 (13%) unintentional injury patients. 291 For both these injuries, this computed a p-value of less than 0.05. 292 Thus, Wells
et al. concluded that there was a statistically significant association with convexity and interhemispheric SDHs and intentional
injury. 293 Similar results were produced by Hymel et al. and by Datta et al. 294 Additionally, in the Datta et al. study, there
was a statistically significant association with multifocal SDHs and non-accidental injury. 295
*548 Thus, with regards to the validity and reliability of the statistical evidence on SDHs and AHT, there are several well-
designed prospective studies and retrospective reviews. Additionally compelling is that the statistical results are similar along
multiple lines of research-- pathology, radiology and general pediatrics. All have produced the same results: the significant
statistical association of SDHs with non-accidental trauma over accidental trauma. This author's review of the evidence-based
medical literature has revealed no published, peer-reviewed clinical studies that conclude differently.
b. Retinal Hemorrhages
The retina is the multi-layered, inner lining of the eye. 296 The posterior pole is the area of the retina that encompasses the major
blood vessels, the macula, the fovea, and the optic nerve head (the optic disc). 297 The fovea is the area of the retina where
the central visual axis through the pupil falls. 298 The area of retina surrounding the fovea is the macula. 299 These structures
are depicted in Figures 6 and 7.
In young children/infants, the vitreous gel that fills the eye is adhered much more strongly to the macula, peripheral retina, and
the retinal blood vessels as they course on the retinal surface. 300 This difference in anatomy from the adult eye is relevant to
the theory of how RHs are formed (repetitive acceleration-deceleration forces) in the setting of AHT. 301
“Hemorrhages [can] occur on the surface of the retina (preretinal), under the retina (subretinal), or within the retinal *549
[layers (intraretinal)].” 302 Hemorrhages can have a certain appearance and size, and can be confined to the posterior pole or
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extend to the ora serrata (the edges of the retina). 303 “Flame” or “splinter” RHs are hemorrhages that lay in the superficial nerve
fiber layer of the retina. 304 “Dot” and “blot” RHs are round and amorphous-shaped hemorrhages within the deeper layers of
the retina. 305 An important form of RHs is retinoschisis--where there is splitting of the retinal layers with blood accumulating
in the intervening space. 306 Retinoschisis can sometimes be accompanied by circumlinear pleats or folds in the retina at the
edges of the schisis. 307 Retinoschisis with pleats or folds is an important finding, because, other than AHT, in children younger
than five years it has only been reported in two cases of fatal crush injuries to the head, one case of leukemia, and in cases of
severe, fatal motor vehicle accidents. 308
Mild RHs are generally understood to be a few, dot/blot or flame/splinter-shaped RHs, in the intraretinal or preretinal layers,
and confined to the posterior pole. 309 Severe RHs are generally understood to be diffuse, too numerous to count hemorrhages,
extending to the periphery of the retina (not confined to the *550 posterior pole), usually involving multiple layers of the
retina (intraretinal, preretinal or subretinal), and sometimes accompanied by retinoschisis with or without folds. 310 Mild RHs,
severe RHs, and retinoschisis are depicted below in figures 8, 9, 10.
As with SDHs, the differential diagnosis for subdural hemorrhage RHs is extensive. A summarized list of those causes is
detailed in Appendix C. Assessing the diagnostic significance of RHs requires the consideration of other medical causes and an
understanding of the spectrum of injury patterns observed in accidental trauma. Through the inferential and deductive process
of eliminating other potential mechanisms, one recognizes the significant probability that repetitive acceleration-deceleration
forces are the causative mechanism of severe RHs. 311
While several studies demonstrate an association of RHs with birth, several factors distinguish birth-related RHs from the RHs
commonly seen in AHT. 312 First, the vast majority of birth-related retinal hemorrhages are intraretinal. 313 Multi-layered RHs,
as commonly seen in AHT, have not been reported in the medical literature in association with birth. 314 Second, study of the
natural history of birth-related RHs reveals that the vast majority of these RHs resolve by two to four weeks of life. 315 This led
one author to conclude that RHs “in infants older than 1 month . . . [are] not likely related to birth”. 316 Finally, retinoschisis
(splitting of the retina) has *551 never been reported in association with birth injury. 317
The commonality, and somewhat similarity, of birth-related RHs and the RHs commonly seen in AHT compels one to consider
increased intracranial pressure or increased intrathoracic pressure as potential causative mechanisms for RHs. 318 Additionally,
because rib fractures are occasional concurrent injuries in AHT cases, increased intrathoracic pressure is naturally thought to
be implicated. 319
Studies examining the effects of chest compressions in CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) have failed to demonstrate any
severe RHs (the kind seen in AHT). 320 In one such study, Odom et al. prospectively examined the prevalence and character of
RHs in patients in a pediatric ICU who had received at least one minute of chest compressions and survived. 321 After excluding
patients that had evidence of trauma, documented retinal hemorrhages before CPR, suspicion of child abuse, or diagnosis of
near-drowning or seizures, Odom et al. found 43 patients that met inclusion criteria. 322 In fact, “[a]ll of the precipitating
events leading to cardiopulmonary arrest occurred in their intensive care unit, eliminating the possibility of physical abuse as an
etiology.” 323 Of the 43 patients, “[t]he mean duration of chest compressions was 16.4 minutes . . . with 58% lasting between
1 and 10 minutes. Five patients had chest compressions lasting less than 40 minutes, and two patients had open chest cardiac
massage. All patients survived their resuscitative *552 efforts.” 324 Odom et al. found small punctate retinal hemorrhages in
only one patient. 325 There was no patient with severe RHs. 326 Well-designed studies involving other clinical scenarios that
increase intrathoracic pressure, e.g., coughing, vomiting, or seizures, also have failed to demonstrate any of the type of severe
RHs commonly seen in AHT. 327
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With regards to increased intracranial pressure as a cause for severe RHs in children, in 2002, Schloff et al. published the results
of a prospective study, which was designed to find the incidence of RHs in children with intracranial hemorrhage and increased
intracranial pressure (also known as Terson's syndrome). 328 Only children from known non-abuse cases were included in their
study. 329 Of the 57 children studied, 27 were from known accidental trauma (MVA's, sports accidents, falls, etc.), 24 from
surgeries, and six from other causes (vessel malformations, infection, etc.). 330 Fifty- *553 five out of fifty-seven children
(96%) had no evidence of RH. 331 “One . . . [child] had a single dot hemorrhage associated with [a] presumed infectio[n] . . . .
The second . . . [child] had three flame and two deeper dot intraretinal hemorrhages.” 332 She was the victim of a motor vehicle
accident. 333 No child had severe or multi-layered RHs. 334 These results accord with the retrospective review conducted by
Morad et al., also published in 2002. 335
Furthermore, the postulated mechanism of RHs in the setting of increased intracranial pressure--obstruction of venous outflow
from the eye (i.e., blood flowing out of the eye, through the head, and back towards the heart)--produces a pattern of hemorrhages
that is not the pattern of hemorrhages seen in AHT. 336 The accidental head injury literature also demonstrates no severe RHs,
and many of the children in those studies experienced increased intracranial pressure. 337
On the other hand, several lines of research and analysis point towards acceleration-deceleration forces at the vitreo-retinal
interface (remembering, from above, that the anatomy of an infant is *554 such that the vitreous gel is much more strongly
adherent to the retina than in adults) as the causative mechanism for severe RHs. 338 First, “the pattern of hemorrhages . . . [in
severe RHs] correlates with the . . . anatomy [of the eye in] the young child where[] the vitreous is most adherent with blood
vessels” (in the periphery of the retina, and in the area of the posterior pole where retinoschisis occurs). 339 Second, severe
RHs are not commonly seen in single acceleration-deceleration traumatic events (such as motor vehicle accidents and falls). 340
Third, in fatal cases, postmortem studies reveal that the vitreous is often still attached at the top of retinal folds, indicating a
traction mechanism. 341 Finally, as will be detailed below, there is an extremely high, statistically significant association of
severe RHs with AHT. 342
In 2005, Vinchon et al. sought to study the diagnostic significance of RHs in cases of child abuse. 343 Their prospective study of
150 children included all children under two years old, who were admitted with head injury over a three year period. 344 Utilizing
the strict algorithmic criteria of Duhaime et al. (discussed above) for determining “inflicted” injury, Vinchon et al. identified
57 cases of abuse, 88 eighty-eight accidental cases (household, birth trauma, and traffic accidents), and five undetermined. 345
Retinal data was available for 129 children (56 abuse, 73 accidents). 346 Moderate to severe RHs were found in 37 cases, all
of them “abuse”. 347 Vinchon et al. found the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of moderate or severe RHs
for abuse to be 66.1%, 100%, and 100%, *555 respectively. 348
Vinchon sought to re-examine this data, and its reproducibility, except this time with independent corroboration of head injury,
so as to avoid any “circularity” concerns in his design. 349 In 2010, Vinchon et al. published the results of a prospective series
of 84 patients who sustained injuries from either witnessed accidents (N=39) or confessed inflicted head injury (N=45; obtained
from judicial sources). 350 Of the thirty-nine witnessed accidents, only one patient (2.5%) had moderate or severe RHs--that is
the patient had a known impact to his head. 351 Of the 45 confessed inflicted injury patients, 34 (76%) had moderate or severe
RHs. 352 Conversely, 34 out of 39 (87%) accident patients had mild or no RHs; and, 10 out of 45 (22%) of the inflicted head
injury patients had mild or no RHs. 353 This data is graphically depicted (figure 11) below, and computed to a p-value of less
than 0.001 (0.1%). 354 In further statistical analysis, Vinchon et al. determined the specificity and positive predictive value
of severe RHs for abusive injury to be 97% and 96%, respectively. 355 Vinchon et al. calculated the specificity of SDH, RH
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and the absence of evidence of impact to be 100% for abusive injury. 356 Thus, Vinchon et al. concluded that, in the absence
of ocular impact, severe RHs were specific for inflicted head injury. 357 Similar results have been produced in well-designed
prospective and retrospective studies by Pierre-Kahn et al., Bechtel et al., and Reece and Sege. 358
*556 Pathology studies have produced similar results. Riffenburgh studied 197 confirmed child abuse deaths and compared
them to 401 controlled patients (deaths secondary to auto accidents, drowning, SIDS). 359 Riffenburgh found 47% of child
abuse deaths had RHs whereas only 4% of controls had RHs. 360 This computed to a p-value of less than 0.001 (0.1%), and an
odds ratio of 18.9 for RHs and abuse. 361 Remembering “odds ratio” from the statistics section above, this means that RHs in
abuse is almost nineteen times more likely than RHs in other circumstances (auto accidents, drowning, SIDs, etc). 362 Other
authors have published comparable findings. 363
In 2009, Maguire et al. published the results of their systematic review of all the scientific literature to identify clinical features
that distinguished inflicted from non-inflicted brain injury. 364 After reviewing “20 [electronic] databases, websites, references
and bibliographies, using over 100 keyword combinations,” Maguire et al. identified over 6000 studies, which were relevant to
the topic, and reviewed 320. 365 Secondary to strict inclusion criteria (including only those studies that compared the clinical
features of inflicted and non-inflicted brain injury with consecutive case ascertainment), *557 Maguire et al. found 14 studies
that met those criteria, representing over 1600 children. 366 Cases were included only if strict definitional criteria for “inflicted”
brain injury (i.e., those with witnessed abuse, confessions, legal decisions, or outcome confirmation by multi-agency child
protection teams) was met. 367 The authors specifically excluded all studies where the decision of abuse relied solely on clinical
features, so as to eliminate concerns for “selection bias” and “circularity.” 368
Conducting a multi-level logistic regression analysis, Maguire et al. found that RHs were “strongly associated with inflicted
brain injury, with a positive predictive value of 71% and an odds ratio of 3.504.” 369 Again, remembering odds ratios, based upon
a comprehensive review of ALL the literature involving RHs, RHs are 3.5 times more likely to occur in inflicted circumstances
than non-inflicted ones. The authors concluded, “By producing a multilevel logistic regression of specific clinical features on
over 1600 children, we have shown that there is scientific evidence to support the distinction between [inflicted brain injury] and
[non-inflicted brain injury] . . . . “This review is the largest of its kind, and offers for the first time a valid statistical probability
of [inflicted brain injury] when certain key features are present (e.g., retinal haemorrhages).” 370
In 2010, Bhardwaj et al. also published a systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of RHs in AHT. 371 Upon examining three
large medical databases, the authors identified 971 articles, and fifty-five met their relevance criteria for grading purposes. 372
Using a published grading checklist (designed to ensure the highest quality of design in studies), Bhardwaj et al. found twenty
studies that met *558 inclusion criteria. 373 Similar to the “Quality of Evidence Ratings system” employed by Donohoe (a
ratings system that was used to critique the quality of literature behind AHT), Bhardwaj et al. found that the specificity of intra-
ocular hemorrhages (RHs) for AHT was 94%. 374 The authors concluded:
Currently, there is level II evidence from prospective controlled studies, supporting a significant relationship
between IOH [(intraocular hemorrhage)] and AHT. . . . Level I evidence is impossible to achieve in this
field, for obvious reasons. . . . Combined data from prospective studies of head injury indicate that IOH
have a specificity of 94% for abuse. 375
Thus, again, with regards to validity and reliability, there are two systematic reviews (comprising over thirty well-designed
clinical studies and thousands of children), several well-designed prospective studies, and numerous retrospective reviews from
multiple lines of research, general pediatrics, ophthalmology, and pathology, all of which have produced the same results:
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the highly significant statistical association of severe RHs with AHT. To this author's review of the evidence based medical
literature, there are no published, peer-reviewed clinical studies that conclude differently.
c. Other Statistical Evidence
Well-designed comparative studies have demonstrated a statistically significant worse outcome (for both physical and cognitive
functioning) for AHT patients over accidental trauma *559 patients. In 1997, Haviland and Russell published the results of
their comparative retrospective review of the outcomes of fifteen children, under age two, admitted to the pediatric ICU with
AHT, and ten children, under age two, admitted to the same pediatric ICU during the same time-frame with known accidental
head trauma. 376 Haviland and Russell followed the children for up to three years. 377 Of the AHT group, two patients died. 378
Of the remaining thirteen survivors, seven (54%) showed “severe” (meaning total mental and physical dependence) handicap,
four (31%) had “moderate” (meaning partial paralysis, blindness, and developmental delay), one (8%) had “mild” (meaning
partial paralysis and seizures), and only one (8%) was considered “normal” at a three-month follow-up. 379 Of the accidental
group, one patient died. 380 Of the remaining nine survivors, only one (11%) had severe handicap, one (11%) had mild handicap,
and seven were considered normal at discharge. 381 This computed to a p-value of less than 0.01 (1%). 382 Similar results were
reproduced by Hymel et al., Vinchon et al., Keenan et al., and Ewing-Cobbs et al. 383
*560 Other studies have focused on the significance of a discrepant clinical history to explain significant traumatic findings.
A clear, biomechanically plausible account for how the injuries occurred should be available. When the history is absent,
minimal, changing, or mechanistically implausible, suspicion of abusive injury is raised. In 2003 Hettler and Greenes, members
of an emergency medicine group from Children's Hospital of Boston, examined the very issue of whether certain historical
features are predictive of AHT. 384 Their retrospective review of 163 children, age three or younger, included patients admitted
from 1993 to 2000 with acute traumatic intracranial injury. 385 The authors classified cases “as either ‘definite abuse’ or ‘not
definite abuse’. . . [based upon] radiologic, ophthalmologic, and physical examination findings, without regard to the presenting
history.” 386 Forty-nine out of 163 (30%) were classified as “definite abuse” and 114 out of 163 (70%) were classified as “not
definite abuse.” 387 Upon statistical analysis Hettler and Greenes found that no history of trauma had a 97% specificity and
92% positive predictive value for AHT. 388 When analyzed in the subgroup of patients with persistent neurologic abnormality
at discharge, no history of trauma had a specificity of 100% and positive predictive value of 100% for AHT. 389 Studies by
Duhaime et al. and Keenan et al. also confirm the association of discrepant clinical history and AHT. 390
*561 d. Fallacy of Circular Reasoning, Alternative Hypotheses, & Data Gaps
i. “Circular Reasoning”?
It is appropriate at this point to address a criticism frequently levied against the medical literature on AHT: the logical fallacy
of “circular reasoning.” 391 While certainly some of the medical literature suffers from these design flaws, there are several
factors not addressed by this critique. First, how does the logical fallacy of “circular reasoning,” which essentially states a
poor design of the medical studies, explain the associative findings of subdural hemorrhage and retinal hemorrhages found
by Ingraham, Caffey, Guthkelch, Silverman, Kempe, and countless other historical authors, who reported these findings even
before the diagnosis of Non-Accidental Injury existed? 392 What was their improper “design” in reporting these associative
findings? Were these physicians somehow biased towards reporting these findings? Is it that these astute physicians were not
rigorous or meticulous enough in their reasoning and evaluations to exclude other important causes such that the association of
SDHs and RHs was not valid? Or is it that we are simply going to attribute the multiple reports of these associated findings to
chance? 393 Why is it that multiple historical physicians, separated by significant geographical distance, in unrelated, various
fields of medical study, and with no social or medical inclination to make these findings, collectively found the same associated
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findings? In order to dismiss the associative strength of these findings (subdural hemorrhages and retinal hemorrhages), an
appropriate response must first be given to all these historical physicians.
*562 Second, some circularity is inevitable, because we are unwilling to experimentally shake infants, and even reliably
confessed accounts have some doubt. As detailed above, to the greatest extent possible, numerous well-designed studies set
out to control circularity in their experimental design. When scientists critically examined those studies for bias secondary to
circularity, not only was that bias lacking, but also scientists found results that were consistent with the rest of the clinical
literature. 394 Therefore, although the possibility of circularity is present, and to some degree inevitable, we are unlikely to find
substantially better evidence than we currently have for the absence of circularity.
Finally, telling evidence arguing against circularity is the absence of any large trials demonstrating a lack of association of
either SDHs or RHs with AHT. If circularity were truly a valid criticism of the current clinical medical literature, in over twenty
years of research on the topic, would there not exist one well-designed study that demonstrated a lack of association of either
SDHs or RHs with AHT? Where is that study?
ii. Alternative Hypotheses
There have been two recent alternative hypotheses 395 for SDHs and RHs that have been the subject of some controversy--
Geddes' “Unified Hypothesis,” and Squier & Mack's “dural immature vascular plexus theory.” 396 Geddes' Unified Hypothesis
purports that “hypoxia [(lack of oxygen)], brain swelling and raised central *563 venous pressure cause blood to leak from
intracranial veins into the subdural space, and that the cause of subdural bleeding in some cases of infant head injury is therefore
not traumatic rupture of bridging veins, but a phenomenon of immaturity.” 397 The essential components of this hypothesis are
that hypoxic (lack of oxygen) injury to the brain results in increased intracranial pressure and brain swelling, which leads to
“leaky” intracranial veins and subdural hemorrhage. 398
The basis for Geddes' hypothesis was a cohort of fifty postmortem cases: seventeen fetuses, three spontaneous abortions, sixteen
perinatal (within a week of life), five neonatal (within one month of life) and nine infant (within one year of life) deaths--
all which resulted from non-traumatic causes. 399 Geddes et al. found microscopic intradural (within the layers of the dura,
but not on the surface of the brain) blood in thirty-six of the fifty cases (72%). 400 However, if one excludes the fetuses and
abortions, microscopic intradural blood was found in just thirteen of the thirty (43%) of the perinatal/neonatal/infant cases. 401
Macroscopic SDH (visible on the surface of the brain) was found in only one of the fifty cases (2%), an infant with overwhelming
sepsis (infection). 402 Although an ophthalmologist was a co-author of the study, the authors did not examine or comment
on retinal hemorrhages in their cohort. 403 Based upon the microscopic intradural findings, Geddes et al. hypothesized that
intradural blood could “ooze” in the potential subdural space and result in macroscopic SDHs, although this did not occur in
forty-nine out of fifty patients in their cohort. 404 Furthermore, based upon their data and calculations, Geddes et al. determined
the p-value of hypoxia and macroscopic SDH to be *564 0.15. 405 Thus, based upon their own data, the authors could not
even conclude that chance had been ruled out. 406 These results cannot be construed as statistically significant. 407 Geddes et
al.'s results were three times higher than the highest limit of statistical acceptability (p=0.05). 408 This is truly notable when
one compares it to the vast majority of statistical data supporting AHT (as discussed above), where p-levels are in the order
of 0.01 to 0.001. 409
Since the Unified Hypothesis was published in 2003, only one other peer-reviewed, clinical study has been published in
the medical literature supporting this hypothesis. 410 In 2007, Cohen and Scheimberg published the pathologic results of a
prospective series of twenty-five fetuses (age twenty-six to forty-weeks) and thirty neonates (age one hour to nineteen days)
who suffered hypoxic (lack of oxygen)-ischemic (lack of blood) injury (HII). 411 Cohen and Scheimberg found macroscopic
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SDHs in sixteen out of twenty-five (64%) fetuses, and twenty out of thirty (66%) neonates. 412 As with Geddes' study, no
examination or comment was made on the concurrent presence or absence of RHs. 413
The critiques of this study have been two-fold. One, it is well known that birth trauma is a cause of SDHs (secondary to dural
tears involving the sinuses). 414 Thus, there was no explanation or *565 accounting for this confounding variable. 415 It is
not known how the authors distinguished which patients' SDHs were secondary to birth trauma and which were secondary to
hypoxic-ischemic injury (HII). 416 Two, the age of Cohen and Scheimberg's patient cohort was not similar to the age of patients
commonly involved in AHT. 417
When considering Geddes' hypothesis that hypoxia (lack of oxygen) results in SDHs, 418 radiology studies are also helpful.
Clinical radiology studies do not support an association of SDH and hypoxia. 419 MRI studies demonstrate that the pattern of
hypoxic-ischemic injury (HII) in the brain is characteristically intraparenchymal (inside the brain tissue) hemorrhage, along
with cortical (brain tissue) necrosis (death). 420 SDH is not a part of that pattern. 421 In 1998, Dubowitz et al. published the
results of their retrospective review of the MRIs of twenty-two children (age six months to eleven years), who suffered HII
(hypoxic-ischemic injury) after near drowning episodes. 422 While a variety of MRI findings were encountered, none of the
patients had a SDH, and only one had a possible hemorrhage, and that was intraparenchymal. 423 Similar results have been
published by Baenziger et al., Sie et al., Rutherford *566 et al., and Barkovich et al. 424
CT imaging has also failed to demonstrate SDHs in patients with HII. 425 In 2008, Rafaat et al. published their retrospective
review of the CT findings in children suffering drowning episodes. 426 Of the 156 children included in their seventeen-year
review, none had an intracranial hemorrhage. 427 Additionally, SDH is “conspicuously absent” from standard textbooks of
neonatal neurology or MRI when addressing HII in infancy and childhood. 428
Two recent pathology studies have evaluated the incidence of SDHs in HII cases. In 2007, Byard et al. published the results
of a retrospective study of eighty-two fetuses, infants, and toddlers with proven HII and no trauma. 429 The cooperative study
was undertaken by multiple forensic in Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and the United States. 430 The
age range of the eighty-two patients was thirty-five weeks gestation to three years. 431 All cases had histologically confirmed
HII. 432 “Causes of the hypoxic episodes were . . . sudden infant death syndrome . . . [(SIDS)] (N = 30), drowning (N = 12),
accidental asphyxia (N = 10), *567 intrauterine/delivery asphyxia (N = 8), congenital disease (N = 6), aspiration of food/
gastric contents (N = 4), inflicted asphyxia (N = 3), epilepsy (N = 1), dehydration (N = 1), drug toxicity (N = 1), complications
of prematurity (N = 1), and complications of anesthesia (N = 1).” 433 In four instances, no initiating event was determined and
“[i]n no case was there macroscopic evidence of subdural hemorrhage.” 434
In 2010, Hurley et al. published the results of a retrospective study of fifty children less than four years old who had suffered
non-traumatic cardio-respiratory arrest and died at their institution between January 2001 and May 2007. 435 Specifically, the
authors were looking to see whether there was a causal relationship between hypoxic-ischemic events (associated with cardio-
respiratory arrest) and SDHs. 436 All children who had evidence of cranial trauma (even those with findings of occult head
trauma on post-mortem examination) were excluded. 437 Additionally, other children were also excluded if they had evidence
of a bleeding disorder, infection, metabolic, or degenerative neurological conditions. 438 The authors identified fifty children
younger than four years of age who met their strict inclusion criteria; forty-eight of those fifty children were less than twenty-
four months old. 439
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The average resuscitation time of children in the study was twenty-one minutes. 440 Forty of the fifty children died and had
post-mortem examinations. 441 Thirty-nine of the forty post-mortem *568 examinations had no macroscopic evidence of
SDH. 442 The one child (a 19-day old infant victim of an overlaying incident), who had macroscopic evidence of SDH, had
a clot adhering to the dura, which the pathologist felt was consistent with birth-related trauma. 443 Of the five children in the
study who had retinal examinations, none had RHs. 444 Thus, the authors concluded that “cardiopulmonary collapse per se and
the attendant hypoxic-ischemic sequelae do not cause SDH.” 445 The previously mentioned study by Matschke et al. identified
similar results. 446
The more recent version of Geddes' Unified Hypothesis is Squier and Mack's dural immature vascular plexus theory. 447 In
this theory, the authors hypothesize that there is a plexus (network) of vessels within the dura mater that is immature and the
most likely source for hemorrhage in non-traumatic conditions. 448 Akin to Geddes' Unified Hypothesis, the authors purport
that hypoxia is the preeminent factor causing these immature vessels to leak, and subsequently result in SDHs. 449 However,
also akin to Geddes' Unified Hypothesis, this theory offers no scientific data linking an intradural (within the dura) vascular
plexus to the significant subdural hemorrhages in trauma. 450 Unlike even Geddes' Unified Hypothesis, this theory has not
been studied in any cohort of patients. Thus, like Geddes' Unified Hypothesis, this theory is untested by the rigors of scientific
falsifiability and unsupported by the medical literature. The legal analysis of these two hypotheses will be discussed in the
Daubert analysis below.
*569 iii. Data Gaps
In every field of medicine, there are areas of incomplete information, where research and further investigation are beneficial.
This is true for child abuse pediatrics as well. However, incomplete information does not necessarily equate to insufficient
information. As previously outlined, vast amounts of historical reports, research data, and clinical experience have established
quality, evidence-based information for the diagnosis of AHT with a reasonable degree of medical certainty.
That being said, some questions remain unanswered. Current areas in question include: 1) what are the exact tolerance and
failure limits of the multiple intracranial structures (the dura mater, cortical bridging veins, the unmyelinated infant brain) of
the human infant; 2) how do those structures, as well as other intracranial entities (such as cerebrospinal fluid), independently
and collectively act to increase or decrease biomechanical forces; 3) what are the exact forces required to induce SDHs and DAI
(Diffuse Axonal Injury) in the human infant brain; 4) what are the tolerance and failure limits of the infant cervical and thoracic
spine; 451 5) what is the exact mechanism for RHs and what role do multiple physiologic factors, such as increased intracranial
pressure and biochemical (prostaglandins) release, play in their causation; and, 6) what are the incidence and prevalence of
rare AHT “mimickers” (osteogenesis *570 imperfecta, glutaric aciduria type 1, etc.) in AHT cases. Ethical and logistical
challenges may limit progress to research in the child abuse field.
These questions, and others, have already been identified by experts in the field of AHT as areas of present and future
research. 452 Improvements in the biofidelity of anthropomorphic doll models, computer finite modeling of the intracranial
and intraocular structures, and the identification of potentially specific biochemical markers of traumatic brain injury are just
some of the examples of advancements in AHT research. Efforts to address these unknowns will only further enhance our
understanding of AHT.
C. Coming to the Diagnosis of AHT
AHT is “those constellations of injuries that are caused by the directed application of force to an infant or young child,
resulting in physical injury to the head and/or its contents.” 453 Commonly observed injuries include scalp injury (e.g.,
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bruises, lacerations/abrasions, swelling), skull fractures, intracranial (inside the skull) hemorrhage (i.e., SDH, subarachnoid
hemorrhage, epidural hemorrhage, intraparenchymal hemorrhage), diffuse axonal injury, 454 cerebral edema (brain swelling),
encephalopathy, cervical spine fractures, cervical spinal cord injury/hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhages, rib fractures, and long
bone fractures. While any of the above injuries can result from, or accompany, AHT, the most common injuries associated
with AHT are SDHs and RHs.
Recent legal literature and cases have cited a “diagnostic triad” of SDHs, RHs and encephalopathy as defining AHT. 455 As
this *571 review has described, there is a clear, strong, and highly statistically significant association of SDHs and RHs with
trauma. 456 However, the mere presence alone of SDHs and RHs does not establish a diagnosis of AHT.
A thorough evaluation, which includes, at a minimum, a complete medical history and physical examination, is required to rule
out other causes for the findings. A multidisciplinary approach that involves careful review of psychosocial and investigative
details is ideal. Akin to the well-establish medical diagnosis of battered child syndrome, AHT also finds its foundation in “the
degree and type of injury [that] is at variance with the history given regarding the occurrence of trauma.” 457
Arriving at the diagnosis is no different than arriving at any other clinical medical diagnosis: it starts with a “chief complaint.”
In the context of AHT, usually this comprises a presenting symptom or symptoms, such as apnea (stopping breathing),
irritability, change in mental status, seizures, lethargy, vomiting or others. 458 With that initial presenting symptom(s), a
clinical provider will obtain a comprehensive medical history. This includes a detailed history of the events surrounding
the presenting symptom(s), a trauma history, a history of infectious symptoms or exposures, a detailed past medical history
(including prior illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, and birth history, if applicable), a developmental history, a history of
relevant family medical illnesses/disorders, and a comprehensive psychosocial history (including identification of psychosocial
stressors, preexisting or concurrent mental health disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence, and prior concerns for child
maltreatment/neglect). 459 Typically, this history is obtained by asking the caregiver open-ended, non-suggestive questions,
such as: “What happened/did you do next?” or, “How did the infant/child act then/thereafter?” or, “Tell me about your child's
*572 daily activities in the days prior.” 460
Subsequent to the history, the clinical provider conducts, when applicable, a detailed, entire-body physical examination. 461
Special attention is paid to the head, skin, and abdominal, genitourinary, and skeletal systems to assess for signs of trauma. 462
Although the physical examination is an important part of the diagnostic process, historical reports and recent studies have
confirmed the absence of any physical findings of trauma on exam in upwards of 31% of AHT cases. 463
After obtaining a history and performing a physical examination, the clinician considers the various diagnoses that might explain
the clinical presentation. 464 This is also known as the “differential” (list of possible causes). 465 The clinician will formulate
differentials for all the relevant injuries. For the limited purposes of this article, the most common injuries involved in AHT--
SDHs and RHs--have been considered. When presented with the differentials for those injuries (listed in Appendix B and C),
the clinician then goes through the complex inferential and deductive process of differential refinement.
Whereas this clinical methodology was once believed to be a linear, Bayesian analysis, it is now understood that the diagnostic
process is a dynamic, non-linear, unstructured method of problem-solving. 466 Consequently, and especially in AHT cases,
the clinician engages in a multi-disciplinary process of attaining additional *573 information. 467 The clinician cooperates
with multiple agencies (social services and law enforcement) and multiple medical disciplines (radiology, ophthalmology,
neurosurgery, etc.) to obtain additional history and clinical information. 468 Furthermore, the clinician examines existing
laboratory and radiologic data, and determines the necessity of additional laboratory and/or radiologic testing. 469 Once having
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received the additional information, the clinician synthesizes that information with the known pathophysiologic processes of the
human body, the evidence-based statistical information on the injuries, and the clinician's own experience in patient care. 470
For SDHs and RHs, many of the potential disorders on the differential can be eliminated through a detailed history, physical
examination, and initial laboratory and radiologic information. 471 In the vast majority of cases, the common denominator for
SDHs and RHs will be trauma. 472 From there, the clinician must determine whether the clinical information is consistent with
either accidental trauma or AHT. 473
In arriving at that determination, the clinician closely examines the historical information for consistency. Inconsistency
can appear in a variety of ways. The history provided for the injury may have internal features to the story, which are
inconsistent with themselves. A history may substantially evolve or change as it is told to multiple providers. Other examples
of inconsistency include: 1) a history that is absent in the presence of severe injuries; 2) a history that is inconsistent with
the known developmental capabilities of the child; 3) a history that is inconsistent, pathophysiologically, 474 with *574 the
injuries; or 4) a history that is inconsistent with the extensive clinical studies and statistical information (described in the section
above, and in Appendix A on SDHs and RHs). As has long been validated, both medically and legally, through the diagnosis of
battered child syndrome, if a clinician determines the injuries are “at variance with the history given regarding the occurrence
of trauma,” 475 then the clinician can diagnose AHT/non-accidental trauma with a reasonable degree of medical certainty.
D. “A Shifted Consensus?”
As mentioned above, recent authors and cases have cited “a shift in mainstream medical opinion” against the validity of AHT as
a medical diagnosis. 476 Other proffers have included: “[a]nd as technology and scientific methodology advanced, researchers
questioning the basis for SBS reached a critical mass.” 477 There is but one simple question for these assertions: Where is the
evidence/data for these assertions (other than the opinions of known defense experts)?
Rather than respond in like, with unsupported generalizations, this author will simply cite, with supporting, verifiable references,
the various international and domestic medical organizations that have publicly acknowledged the validity of AHT as a medical
diagnosis: 478
1) The World Health Organization 479
2) The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 480
*575 3) The Royal College of Radiologists 481
4) The Royal College of Ophthalmologists 482
5) The Canadian Paediatric Society 483
6) The American Academy of Pediatrics 484
7) The American Academy of Ophthalmology 485
8) The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus 486
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9) The American College of Radiology 487
10) The American Academy of Family Physicians 488
11) The American College of Surgeons 489
12) The American Association of Neurologic Surgeons 490
*576 13) The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America 491
14) The American College of Emergency Physicians 492
15) The American Academy of Neurology 493
While it is certainly true that the public promulgations of the various international and domestic medical societies are not
representative of each and every member of that society, it is safe to conclude they are representative of the majority of
its members. The notable subspecialties that have some discord amongst their members are pathologists (represented by the
National Association of Medical Examiners) and biomechanical engineers.
III. The Daubert Analysis and Beyond
A. The Daubert Analysis
A Daubert/Trilogy scrutiny of AHT evidence/testimony can only begin at one place: Daubert. The Daubert court stated that
when faced with a proffer of scientific testimony, “the trial judge must determine at the outset, pursuant to Rule 104(a), whether
the expert is proposing to testify to (1) scientific knowledge that (2) will assist the trier of fact to understand or determine
a fact in issue.” 494 These are well-recognized as the reliability and relevance requirements of the trial judge's gate-keeping
responsibilities.
In assessing reliability, the Daubert court clearly stated there is *577 no checklist or specific test. However, in assessing the
validity of the methodology underlying the proposed scientific testimony, the court enunciated four factors for the trial judge
to consider:
1) whether a theory or technique could be (and had been) tested--also known as “falsifiability” or “testability;” 495
2) “whether the theory or technique had been subjected to peer review and publication;” 496
3) whether there was a “known or potential rate of error;” 497 and
4) whether there was “general acceptance” in the relevant scientific community. 498
These four factors will be the starting point of our analysis.
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The first two factors, the falsifiability of AHT and its subjection to peer review, are readily addressable. As has been
demonstrated above, AHT has been tested or subjected to the scientific rigors of falsifiability by multiple disciplines and multiple
methods. 499 Pediatricians, specifically those specializing in child abuse and neglect, have, over many years, studied and tested
various facets of AHT diagnosis, such as symptom presentation, historical factors, physical examination findings, laboratory and
radiologic findings, and outcomes. 500 Radiologists have utilized imaging modalities (CT and MRI) to assess the frequency and
specificity of certain intracranial injuries, like SDHs, in traumatic and non-traumatic scenarios. 501 Biomechanical engineers
have examined AHT from *578 primarily a “physical forces” perspective, seeking to exact quantifiable answers to the forces
required to cause the intracranial and spinal injuries seen in AHT. 502 And, finally, pathologists have comparatively studied
the microscopic and macroscopic tissue manifestations of the intracranial, intraocular, and spinal injuries in accidental and
AHT cases. 503
But not only has AHT been studied in multiple disciplines and by multiple methods, it also has been studied by multiple
researchers from multiple nations. As has been discussed above, there exist at least 700 peer-reviewed, clinical medical
articles, comprising thousands of pages of medical literature, published by over 1000 different medical authors, from at least
twenty-eight different countries. 504 Additionally, AHT has been peer-reviewed and published in the following disciplines:
biomechanical engineering, general pediatrics, neonatology, neurology, neurosurgery, nursing, obstetrics, ophthalmology,
orthopedics, pathology (forensic pathology), radiology, and rehabilitative medicine. 505 In fact, given its association with
significant medical injuries and child fatalities, AHT is the most peer-reviewed and well-published topic in child abuse
pediatrics. Thus, it is difficult for one to assert or argue that the diagnosis of AHT has not been subjected to the rigors of
scientific falsifiability, stringently peer reviewed, or well published.
The third criterion--the known or potential rate of error--is Daubert's reference to statistical evidence either in support of
or against a particular theory. 506 While certain scientific disciplines have a readily computable error rate, certain scientific
disciplines do not. In clinical medical studies, the best approximation of an error *579 rate is the p-value. Remembering the
general statistics section above, the p-value is the probability that the result obtained is secondary to chance. 507 Although
chance is not per se error, in clinical medical studies, it is the best approximation, and the cut-off or threshold, for determining
what data is reliable.
As discussed above, there are numerous systematic reviews, controlled trials, and well-designed, prospective, and retrospective
studies that demonstrate a highly significant statistical association of SDHs and RHs with AHT. For example, recent studies
and systemic reviews have calculated the specificity and positive predictive value of severe RHs for abusive head injury to be
on the order of 93-97% and 71-96%, respectively. 508 In fact, Vinchon et al. recently determined that the concurrence of these
factors--SDH, RH, and the absence of evidence of impact to the head--was 100% specific for abusive injury. 509
In order to truly appreciate the strength of this statistical evidence, we must, at this point, discuss the concept of “convergent
validation.” 510 Simply stated, “convergent validation” is the confirmation of a relationship of variables when that relationship
is demonstrated by multiple independent measures. 511 The higher *580 these independent measures correlate with each other,
the greater the validity of the results. 512 With SDHs and RHs, the concept of convergent validation explains the increased
statistical strength and validity of their results. Both injuries have been studied by multiple independent measures--general
pediatrics studies, radiology studies, and pathology studies--and all independent measures have correlating results. Thus, the
medical literature on AHT has also addressed Daubert's third criterion.
Finally, with regards to general acceptance within the relevant scientific community criterion, there are several issues
that warrant further discussion. First, in the field of AHT, what constitutes the “relevant” scientific community? Is it
general pediatricians? Pediatricians who specialize in child abuse and neglect? Pathologists? Ophthalmologists? Second, what
constitutes “general acceptance” within that community? Is it a majority of members, or is unanimity or near unanimity required?
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Third, how is appropriate evidence of general acceptance adduced? Is the opinion testimony of one random member sufficient?
Or is something more definitive required, such as opinion results of a majority of members or a policy statement promulgated by
a medical society? Finally, what is the appropriate course of action when multiple disciplines are involved, as in AHT (general
pediatrics, radiology, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, and occasionally pathology), and each are relevant scientific communities?
Can a specialist from one discipline testify to scientific evidence from the other disciplines?
Although many courts, U.S. and international, have concluded that AHT is a generally accepted valid medical diagnosis 513
within *581 the relevant scientific community, they have offered little guidance on what the relevant scientific community
or general acceptance is and how those determinations came to be. With regards to AHT, the relevant scientific community
should be those medical providers who, within their discipline, spend a reasonable portion if not majority, of their clinical
time and practice in the evaluation and care of children suspected of AHT and abuse, who remain abreast of the most recent
peer-reviewed literature on AHT and child abuse, and who either have obtained subspecialty certification, or are eligible for
subspecialty certification, in the field of child abuse. 514 The satisfaction of these criteria will aid a court in assuring that the
testimony provided is tethered to standards of medical practice, thereby satisfying Kumho. 515
The clinical practice of evaluating and caring for children suspected of AHT and abuse is a crucial element in the determination
of the relevant scientific community. There are medical subspecialists (general pediatricians, pathologists, radiologists,
ophthalmologists, etc.), and even non-medical persons (biomechanical engineers), who are well versed and well read on the
literature surrounding AHT. But, a mere reading knowledge of a particular topic cannot be considered relevant to the scientific
community. Experiential knowledge is commensurate, if not superior, to didactic knowledge. As the U.K. High Court stated
in a recent appeal of shaken baby syndrome cases:
The fact that an expert is in clinical practice at the time he makes his report is of significance. Clinical
practice affords experts the opportunity to maintain and develop their experience. . . . Clinicians learn from
each case in which they are engaged. Each case makes them think and as their experience develops so does
their understanding. Continuing experience gives them the opportunity to adjust previously held opinions,
to alter their views. . . . Such clinical experience . . . may provide a far more reliable source of evidence than
that provided by those who have ceased to practice their expertise in a continuing *582 clinical setting
and have retired from such practice. Such experts are, usually, engaged only in reviewing the opinions of
others. They have lost the opportunity, day by day, to learn and develop from continuing experience. 516
Thus, those providers who, in their discipline, do not spend a reasonable portion of their practice in the evaluation and care
of AHT and child abuse patients cannot be considered the relevant scientific community within the meaning of Daubert and
Kumho.
Courts have historically relied upon opinion testimony to provide evidence of the general acceptance of AHT within the
scientific community. 517 Since there is no medical or scientific literature assessing the opinions of physicians on the validity
of AHT as a medical diagnosis, a concern with prior opinion testimony on general acceptance is that its foundation may have
rested upon the ipse dixit of the expert. Consequently, as expert opinions on the general acceptance of AHT occasionally varied
from location to location, and from time to time, so have some court decisions. 518
Although there is no medical or scientific study assessing the opinions of physicians on the validity of AHT, there is still
substantive evidence to that effect--the public promulgations of the relevant national and international medical societies. The
very raison d'etre of national and international medical societies is to represent the professional interests of the individual
members within those societies. As such, these national and international medical societies have inherent, formal processes for
obtaining individual member input on relevant professional topics, considering that input and the relevant scientific literature,
and then formulating policy statements, practice guidelines or other educational materials on those topics. *583 While not
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representative of each and every member of that society, it is safe to conclude that the promulgations of the national and
international medical societies are at least representative of the professional views of a majority of its members.
With that said, it is virtually unanimous among national and international medical societies that AHT is a valid medical
diagnosis. 519 Amongst clinical practitioners, from pediatricians to radiologists, from the American Academy of Pediatrics to
the World Health Organization, the validity of AHT as a medical diagnosis is unquestioned. Thus, the fourth Daubert criterion
has also been addressed.
Although the four general considerations enunciated in Daubert are satisfied by the AHT literature, the trilogy makes clear that,
overall, it is the methodology that is of paramount importance, not the conclusions generated or the criterion satisfied. Does the
AHT expert have “good grounds” 520 for coming to his/her conclusions? Is there a logical nexus between his/her methodology
and the opinions that are generated? Has the expert exercised the “same level of intellectual rigor” 521 that the expert would use
outside the courtroom when working in his/her relevant discipline? Or is AHT just junk science that's not “even good enough
to be wrong” 522 and thus inadmissible scientific testimony/evidence?
In assessing the methodology in AHT, it is important to remember that arriving at the diagnosis of AHT employs no different
methodology than arriving at any other clinical diagnosis. At its core, clinical medical decision-making is grounded in
the roots of the scientific method. Extensive study into physician cognition has revealed valuable insights into the clinical
diagnostic process (the methodology sought to be evaluated by Daubert). Whereas it was once thought that physician clinical
reasoning proceeded in a *584 discretely linear fashion known as Bayesian analysis, 523 recent research has demonstrated the
diagnostic process is actually a non-linear, unstructured method of problem-solving that employs both inferential and deductive
reasoning. 524
The physician gathers information on a patient's symptoms and signs and generates hypotheses (also known as a differential
diagnosis). 525 Through the attainment of additional clinical information (via various diagnostic tests), the physician goes
through an inferential and deductive process of hypothesis refinement until a consistent “working diagnosis” is achieved. 526
Hypothesis refinement utilizes a variety of reasoning strategies--probabilistic, causal and deterministic--to discriminate
among the existing diagnoses of the differential diagnosis. 527 While being *585 mindful of the pitfalls of heuristics, the
physician ultimately proceeds to hypothesis confirmation when the laws of diagnostic adequacy, coherency, and parsimony
are satisfied. 528
Many courts have held that the “differential diagnosis” methodology is a reliable method of ascertaining medical causation. 529
Courts have stated that the “differential diagnosis is a well-recognized and widely-used technique in the medical community to
identify and isolate causes of disease and death.” 530 As long as the expert “at least considers alternative causes,” then testimony
based upon the “differential diagnosis” methodology is admissible. 531
U.S. courts have previously assessed the methodology underlying AHT and deemed it valid. 532 In more recent cases, U.S.
courts have reassessed its sufficiency, and have still deemed it *586 valid. 533 But, the assessment of the validity of the
methodology underlying AHT is not peculiar to U.S. courts.
In the United Kingdom, AHT has been a topic of significant medico-legal concern recently. The U.K. High Court recently heard
four appeals on alleged “battered babies” cases. 534 In R v. Harris (a consolidation of the four appeals) the U.K. High Court
examined the issue of whether newly-developed “medical research . . . [had created] ‘fresh evidence’ which . . . [cast] doubt
on the safety of each conviction.” 535 The High Court stated:
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At the heart of these appeals . . . was a challenge to the accepted hypothesis concerning “shaken baby
syndrome” (SBS); or, as we believe it should be more properly called, non-accidental head injury (NAHI).
The accepted hypothesis depends on findings of a triad of intracranial injuries consisting of encephalopathy
(defined as disease of the brain affecting the brain's function); subdural haemorrhages (SDH); and retinal
haemorrhages (RH). 536
In evaluating the sufficiency of the “triad,” the High Court received testimony from over twenty international experts in the
field of AHT--“ten medical expert witnesses called on behalf of the appellants and eleven called on behalf the Crown . . . [and]
written evidence of four further witnesses.” 537 As a part of its examination of the “newly-developed research,” the High Court
studied Dr. Geddes' Unified Hypothesis:
Between 2000 and 2004 a team of distinguished doctors led by Dr Jennian Geddes, a neuropathologist with a speciality in work
with children, produced three papers setting out the results of their research into the triad. In the third paper “Geddes III”, the
team put forward a new hypothesis, “the unified hypothesis,” which challenged the supposed infallibility of the triad. . . .
*587 When Geddes III was published it was, and still is, very controversial. . . . However, early on in the hearing it became
apparent that substantial parts of the basis of the unified hypothesis could no longer stand. Dr Geddes, at the beginning of her
cross-examination, accepted that the unified hypothesis was never advanced with a view to being proved in court. . . . Further,
she accepted that the hypothesis might not be quite correct; or as she put it: “I think we might not have the theory quite right. I
think possibly the emphasis on hypoxia--no, I think possibly we are looking more at raised pressure being the critical event.” 538
In concluding that Geddes' Unified Hypothesis could no longer be considered credible, the High Court stated:
As a result of critical papers published in the medical journals, as we have already stated, Dr Geddes when cross-examined
frankly admitted that the unified hypothesis could no longer credibly be put forward. In cross-examination she accepted that she
could no longer support the hypothesis that brain swelling was the cause of subdural haemorrhages and retinal haemorrhages.
She did, however, state that she believed that raised intracranial pressure (ICP) might prove to be an independent cause of
both lesions. When asked by Mr Horwell if she had published a paper on this hypothesis she said that she had not and that
her research was still incomplete. . . . “In our judgment, it follows that the unified hypothesis can no longer be regarded as a
credible or alternative cause of the triad of injuries. . . .
. . . These four appeals raise different medical issues and do not necessarily fail because the unified hypothesis has not been
validated. But it does mean that the triad, itself a hypothesis, has not been undermined in the way envisaged by the authors
of Geddes III. 539
The High Court then conducted “sufficiency of evidence” reviews on the four cases. 540 Based upon an appellate standard of
review of “whether the evidence, if given at the trial, might reasonably have affected the decision of the trial jury, 541 “the High
Court determined that, in two cases, the “fresh” evidence “might reasonably have affected the jury's decision to convict” 542
and set aside those *588 convictions. 543 In the two other cases, the High Court sustained or modified the convictions. 544
B. Other Legal Challenges to AHT
Although a comprehensive examination of all the challenges surrounding AHT testimony and evidence is beyond the scope of
this article, a couple of more recent challenges shall be addressed briefly. 545 One, akin to Geddes' Unified Hypothesis, is an
assertion of an alternative explanation for the injuries seen in AHT. It is the abovementioned “dural immature vascular plexus”
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theory by Squier and Mack. 546 This theory is but another example of a more general, overarching challenge to the medical
evidence base underlying AHT. By proffering another valid scientific explanation for the injuries in AHT, the contention is that
there will then be doubt regarding the “non-accidental,” “abusive,” and “traumatic” nature of the injuries.
In the dural immature vascular plexus theory, the authors hypothesize that there is a plexus (network) of vessels within the
dura mater that is immature and a likely source for “hemorrhage in non-traumatic conditions.” 547 Secondary to the immaturity
of these vessels, in situations of hypoxia, these vessels “leak,” and subsequently result in SDHs. 548 Akin to Geddes' Unified
Hypothesis, hypoxic-ischemic injury is the preeminent factor *589 leading to “hemorrhage in non-traumatic conditions.” 549
This most recent alternative hypothesis for the causation of SDHs and RHs does not survive Trilogy scrutiny. Unlike even
Geddes' Unifed Hypothesis, this theory offers no scientific data linking an intradural (within the dura) vascular plexus to the
significant subdural hemorrhages seen in AHT. 550 Although published as a review article in a peer-reviewed medical journal,
it has not been the subject of any scientific study, in any cohort of patients. Consequently, it has not been tested by the scientific
rigors of falsifiability, and has adduced no evidence-based medical literature. Furthermore, by adhering to Geddes' medically
and legally discredited theory of hypoxic-ischemic injury as the “unifying” cause for SDHs and RHs, this theory remains outside
mainstream medical opinion. Thus, any scientific testimony based upon this theory would be based solely upon the ipse dixit
of the expert, and inadmissible under Joiner and Kumho.
Because the theory attempts to perpetuate Geddes' discredited Unified Hypothesis, two recent United Kingdom court opinions
have questioned the scientific objectivity of one of its authors, Dr. Squier. In a U.K. family court opinion, the court stated:
Both Dr. Cohen and Dr. Squier subscribe to the Geddes III hypothesis in one form or another. Put at its simplest, each are of
the view that hypoxia in children can lead to subdural haemorrhages and retinal haemorrhages in the absence of trauma.
....
. . . They go against the mainstream of current thinking and the analysis of the Court of Appeal in R v. Harris. . . .
....
Dr. Cohen and Dr. Squier support Geddes III, even though Dr. Geddes herself in Harris withdrew from her own unified
hypothesis. . . .
In considering the evidence of Dr. Cohen and Dr Squier, I remind myself that four years have passed since Dr. Geddes accepted
that her unified hypothesis could no longer credibly be put forward. . . .
*590 I have to consider whether or not these experts have “developed a scientific prejudice” or whether they are in the vanguard
of research and learning. 551
The court then concluded:
I do not doubt the commitment of Dr. Squier and Dr. Cohen to the advancement of the understanding of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
As already indicated, I make no criticism and, indeed, it would be wrong to do so, of the fact that neither of them hold mainstream
views. There is a significant fundamental difference between academic theories and hypotheses, on the one hand, and the
rigorous forensic analysis which is required in care proceedings . . . .
Dr. Squier and Dr. Cohen, I find with regret, have each fallen into that category of expert identified by Butler-Sloss P. in Re
LU & LB, namely the expert who has developed a scientific prejudice. As a consequence, I accept the submission of the Local
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Authority that Dr. Squier has permitted her convictions to lead her analysis. . . . [E]ach of the significant factual errors made
by her served to support her hypothesis of choking and hypoxia.
The overwhelming preponderance of evidence in this case is to the effect that, as of today, medical opinion is that hypoxia does
not lead to subdural haemorrhages and retinal haemorrhages . . . . 552
When Dr. Squier provided testimony in a recent criminal appellate matter, the U.K. High Court stated:
Dr Squier's stance, in oral evidence before us, casts significant doubt upon the reliability of the rest of her evidence and her
approach to this case. It demonstrates, to our satisfaction, that she was prepared to maintain an unsubstantiated and insupportable
theory in an attempt to bolster this appeal.
....
In the light of our view as to the quality of Dr Squier's evidence before us we conclude it is not capable of undermining the
safety of the verdict. For those reasons, we reject the application to call fresh evidence. 553
*591 The other recent challenge to the admissibility of AHT testimony asserts that a physician's diagnosis of “abusive” or
“inflicted” injury is an “improper comment on the mens rea” element of an offense and consequently, an improper “invasion
of the province of the jury.” 554 In medicine, physicians routinely diagnose intentional acts of patients that result in medical
problems. For example, in eating disorders such as bulemia (binge and purge type) and anorexia nervosa, the patient's intentional
acts of either purging food recently eaten (bulemia) or not eating food (anorexia) so as to not gain weight are key diagnostic
features of those disorders. Many other medical diagnoses--self-cutting behavior, trichotillomania (hair pulling), and illicit
substance abuse, to name a few--exist where primary care physicians, in the routine course of clinical medical practice, diagnose
intentional acts of patients as key components of medical disease. Additionally, pathologists (specifically forensic pathologists
and medical examiners) are routinely called upon to determine intent in the manner and cause of death. And, psychiatrists are
sometimes requested to determine an individual's capacity to satisfy the mens rea elements of criminal offenses. The practice
of child abuse pediatrics is no different than these other practices of medicine.
Courts have long held that, as long as a physician does not testify to the ultimate question of the defendant's guilt or innocence,
a physician may opine that injuries are “nonaccidental,” “inflicted,” or “abusive.” 555 In Estelle v. Maguire the U.S. Supreme
Court recognized the admissibility of medical testimony on the issue of intent when it considered the admissibility of 404(b)
evidence in *592 order to prove “battered child syndrome.” 556 The Supreme Court wrote:
The demonstration of battered child syndrome “simply indicates that a child found with [serious, repeated injuries] has not
suffered those injuries by accidental means.” Thus, evidence demonstrating battered child syndrome helps to prove that the
child died at the hands of another and not by falling off a couch for example, it also tends to establish that the “other,” whoever
it may be, inflicted the injuries intentionally. 557
As with battered child syndrome, the non-accidental or abusive determination in AHT finds its diagnostic underpinning in “the
degree and type of injury [that] is at variance with the history given regarding the occurrence of the trauma.” 558 Recently,
in State v. Torres, the Supreme Court of Kansas concluded that a physician's opinion that an infant's death was a “textbook
case” of “shaken baby or shaken impact syndrome” did not invade the province of a jury so long as the expert did not testify
as to “the ultimate question of the defendant's guilt or innocence.” 559 Thus, these most recent challenges to the admissibility
of AHT testimony lack legal and medical foundation.
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C. Beyond Daubert: The Marriage of Medical and Legal Perspectives
Given the abundance of medical literature in support of AHT--the significant statistical strength of much of that literature,
the recognition by many U.S. and U.K. courts of the validity of that literature and of the diagnosis of AHT--one must seek
explanation for the variability in some court decisions. Why have some courts concluded that there is a “significant and
legitimate debate in the medical community” on AHT, 560 while others have not? 561 Why *593 have some concluded that
the diagnosis of AHT is “based on inconclusive research,” 562 while the vast majority have not? 563 Several reasons exist.
First, as mentioned above, the adduction of evidence on what is general acceptance within the relevant scientific community
has in many cases, unfortunately, been upon the ipse dixit of the expert. In State v. Edmunds, the Court determined, based
upon “expert medical testimony,” that “a significant and legitimate debate in the medical community has developed in the past
ten years” on AHT. 564 However, those “experts” provided no substantive medical literature affirming that “significant and
legitimate debate.” 565 Highlighting the shortcomings of such evidence, one expert witness in a U.K. AHT case stated:
Al-Sarraj told the court that there are 40-44 neuropathologists in the country of whom a maximum of 10 or 12 are
forensic neuropathologists. To his knowledge, the only neuropathologist in the UK believing that hypoxia can cause subdural
haemorrhages is Dr. Waney Squier. In addition, he said there are two or three other people who share her opinion who are
working in different, but related, specialities, of whom Dr. Cohen and Dr. Scheimberg (Dr. Cohen's co-author) are presumably
two. Dr. Al-Sarraj said:
“They come in all the defence cases, so you do not realise that they are in such a minority.” 566
Second, the pecuniary interest in providing expert testimony cannot be underestimated. It has posed and continues to pose a
significant risk to the presentation of unbiased medical information. Third, in addition to pecuniary interest, as discussed above,
personal prejudices can also affect scientific analysis. This can result *594 in the adherence to disproven theories and the
presentation of skewed information. Finally, the increasing complexity of scientific and medical information has placed onerous
burdens on the single, gate-keeping trial judge. Given the lack of dispositive medical guidance from a unified, unbiased, multi-
disciplinary, medical body, courts have been left to fend for themselves, relying upon whatever seemingly reliable medical
information is presented. Naturally, variability in some decisions has ensued.
If the marriage of the legal and medical perspectives is to survive, especially with regards to AHT, then the medical and legal
fields must remain faithful to their obligations, and seek to strengthen their union. Courts must remember Justice Breyer's
admonition--“seek decisions that fall within the boundaries of scientifically sound knowledge” 567 and keep out science that
“isn't even good enough to be wrong.” 568 This article has provided evidence-based medical literature supporting the scientific
soundness of AHT and the lack of such evidence for theories such as Geddes' Unified Hypothesis and Squier and Mack's
dural immature vascular plexus theory. Concurrent with that obligation, courts must recognize when there is a legitimate and
responsible disagreement among medical experts, and allow the jury to resolve that dispute among the experts. Finally, when
confronted with the complexities of medical and scientific information, courts should seek assistance from impartial court-
appointed scientific experts to explain the medical and scientific information.
For medicine's part, the national medical societies of the relevant disciplines should coordinate with Federal Judicial Center
(FJC) and National Academy of Sciences, Committee on Science, Technology and Law, to establish a registry of potential
independent medical experts on AHT. Along those lines, the relevant national medical societies should promulgate policies
limiting expert medical testimony fees, and support state and federal legislation towards that effect. Finally, the judiciary, via the
FJC, and the relevant medical disciplines, specifically child abuse *595 pediatricians, should engage in reciprocal educational
efforts on the responsibilities and limitations of expert testimony in AHT.
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IV. Conclusion
What has been presented for the reader is:
i) a brief examination of the extensive clinical medical literature on the topic of AHT;
ii) evidence-based clinical medical studies on SDHs and RHs that demonstrate highly significant statistical associations of those
injuries with AHT;
iii) verifiable references to fifteen national and international medical societies who have publicly endorsed the validity of AHT;
iv) medical and legal rationales refuting alternative hypotheses (such as Geddes' Unified Hypothesis and Squier and Mack's
Dural Immature Vascular Plexus Theory) for the injuries common to AHT; and
v) national and international case law examining, and ultimately confirming, the validity of the medical evidence in support
of AHT.
These reasons, and years of clinical experience, are the foundation for the opinions given by the vast majority of medical
professionals called to evaluate suspected AHT. The diagnosis of AHT, long recognized as a valid diagnosis, occurs within
the same professional culture of science and practice (methodology) that leads to the diagnosis and treatment of millions of
pediatric patients in the U.S. every year. Many of these diagnoses are matters of life and death, and sometimes these diagnoses
lead to the courtroom. For the legal profession to treat this aspect of pediatric medicine as separate from the rest of medicine
is unjustifiable. It is understandable that lawyers will look for opportunities to create doubt in the minds of jurors. However,
the only way to appropriately improve the chances for justice in the courts with respect to AHT is to assure that an unbiased,
financially-unmotivated, medical expert testifies to the current state of medical evidence.
*596 Appendix A
Accidents/Falls:
Meta-Analysis/Systematic Reviews/Guidelines:
1) David L. Chadwick et al., Annual Risk of Death Resulting from Short Falls among Young Children: Less than 1 in 1 Million,
121 Pediatrics 1213 (2008).
2) S.A. Schutzman et al., Evaluation and Management of Children Younger Than Two Years Old with Apparently Minor Head
Trauma: Proposed Guidelines, 107 Pediatrics 983 (2001).
Controlled Studies/Trials:
1) M. Belechri et al., Bunk Versus Conventional Beds: A Comparative Assessment of Fall Injury Risk, 56 J. Epidemiology
& Community Health 413 (2002).
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Comparative Cohorts /Prospective Case Series:
1) Christine T. Chiaviello et al., Stairway-Related Injuries in Children, 94 Pediatrics 679 (1994).
2) Christine T. Chiaviello et al., Infant Walker-Related Injuries: A Prospective Study of Severity and Incidence, 93 Pediatrics
974 (1994).
3) Ann-Christine Duhaime et al., Head Injury in Very Young Children: Mechanisms, Injury Types and Ophthalmologic Findings
in 100 Hospitalized Patients Younger than 2 Years of Age, 90 Pediatrics 179 (1992).
4) David S. Greenes & Sara A. Schutzman, Clinical Indicators of Intracranial Injury in Head-Injured Infants, 104 Pediatrics
861 (1999).
5) David S. Greenes & Sara A. Schutzman, Clinical Significance of Scalp Abnormalities in Asymptomatic Head-Injured Infants,
17 Pediatric Emergency Care 88 (2001).
6) Karl Johnson et al., Accidental Head Injuries in Children under 5 Years of Age, 60 Clinical Radiology 464 (2005).
*597 7) Kimberly S. Quayle et al., Diagnostic Testing for Acute Head Injury in Children: When are Head Computed
Tomography and Skull Radiographs Indicated?, 99 Pediatrics e.11 (1997).
Retrospective Case Series/Case Reports:
1) Abbey Alkon et al., Injuries in Child-Care Centers: Rates, Severity, and Etiology, 94 Pediatrics 1043 (1994).
2) David L. Chadwick & Connie Salerno, Likelihood of the Death of an Infant or Young Child in a Short Fall of Less than 6
Vertical Feet, 35 J. Trauma 968 (1993).
3) Horace B. Gardner, A Witnessed Short Fall Mimicking Presumed Shaken Baby Syndrome (Inflicted Childhood
Neurotrauma), 43 Pediatric Neurosurgery 433 (2007).
4) David S. Greenes & Sara A. Schutzman, Occult Intracranial Injury in Infants, 32 Annals Emergency Med., 680 (1998).
5) Karen D. Gruskin, Sara A. Schutzman, Head Trauma in Children Younger Than 2 Years: Are There Predictors for
Complications?, 153 Archives Pediatric & Adolescent Med. 15 (1999).
6) John R. Hall et al., The Mortality of Childhood Falls, 29 J. Trauma 1273 (1989).
7) Raye Helfer et al., Injuries Resulting When Small Children Fall Out of Bed, 60 Pediatrics 533 (1977).
8) Maija Holsti et al., Pediatric Closed Head Injuries Treated in an Observation Unit, 21 Pediatric Emergency Care 639 (2005).
9) Anthony Kim et al., Analysis of Pediatric Head Injury from Falls, 8 Neurosurgical Focus e3 (2000).
10) Harvey Kravitz et al., Accidental Falls from Elevated Surfaces in Infants from Birth to One Year of Age, 44 Pediatrics
869 (1969).
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11) S. Levene & G. Bonfield, Accidents on Hospital Wards, 66 Archives Disease Childhood 1047 (1991).
12) Thomas Lyons & Kim Oates, Falling out of Bed: A Relatively Benign Occurrence, 92 Pediatrics 125 (1993).
13) Diane Macgregor, Injuries Associated with Falls from Beds, 6 Injury Prevention 291 (2000).
14) L. Morrison et al., Infant-furniture Related Injuries among Preschool Children in New Zealand, 1987-1996, 38 J. Paediatrics
& Child Health 587 (2002).
*598 15) JA Murray et al., Pediatric Falls: Is Height a Predictor of Injury and Outcome?, 66 Am. Surgeon 863 (2000).
16) Prasit Nimityongskul & Lewis D. Anderson, The Likelihood of Injuries when Children Fall Out of Bed, 7 J. Pediatric
Orthopaedics 184 (1987).
17) Se-Hyuck Park et al., Head Injuries from Falls in Preschool Children, 45 Yonsei Med. J. 229 (2004).
18) Srikumar Pillai et al., Fall Injuries in the Pediatric Population: Safer and Most Costeffective Management, 48 J. Trauma
1048 (2000).
19) Melanie L. Pitone & Magdy W. Attia, Patterns of Injury Associated with Routine Childhood Falls, 22 Pediatric Emergency
Care 470 (2006).
20) John Plunkett, Fatal Pediatric Head Injuries Caused by Short-Distance Falls, 22 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 1 (2001).
21) Gregory D. Reiber, Fatal Falls in Childhood: How Far Must Children Fall to Sustain Fatal Head Injury? Report of Cases
and Review of the Literature, 14 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 201 (1993).
22) Simon P. Ros & Frank Cetta, Are Skull Radiographs Useful in the Evaluation of Asymptomatic Infants Following Minor
Head Injury?, 8 Pediatric Emergency Care 328 (1992).
23) Jeff E. Schunk et al., The Utility of Head Computed Tomographic Screening in Pediatric Patients with Normal Neurologic
Examination in the Emergency Department, 12 Pediatric Emergency Care 160 (1996).
24) Michael Y. Wang et al., Injuries from Falls in the Pediatric Population: An Analysis of 729 Cases, 36 J. Pediatric Surgery
1528 (2001).
25) R.A. Williams, Injuries in Infants and Small Children Resulting from Witnessed and Corroborated Free Falls, 31 J. Trauma
1350 (1991).
26) Julia Wrigley & Joanna Dreby, Fatalities and the Organization of Child Care in the United States: 1985- 2003, 70 Am.
Sociological Rev. 749 (2005).
27) Yusuf Yagmur et al., Falls From Flat Roofed Houses: A Surgical Experience of 1643 Patients, 35 Injury 425 (2004).
*599 Biomechanical Studies:
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1) Faris A. Bandak, Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Biomechanics Analysis of Injury Mechanisms, 151 Forensic Sci. Int'l 71 (2005).
2) Gina E. Bertocci et al., Influence of Fall Height and Impact Surface on Biomechanics of Feet-First Free Falls in Children,
35 Injury 417 (2004).
3) D. Chadwick, The Potential and Limitations of Utilising Head Impact Injury Models to Assess the Likelihood of Significant
Head Injury in Infants After a Fall, 139 Forensic Sci. Int'l 269 (2004).
4) Brittany Coats & Susan S. Margulies, Potential for Head Injuries in Infants from Low-Height Falls, 2 J. Neurosurgery:
Pediatrics 321 (2008).
5) Brittany Coats et al., Parametric Study of Head Impact in the Infant, 51 Stapp Car Crash J. 1 (2007).
6) Z. Cooper & F. Albermani, Mechanical Response of Infant Brain to Manually Inflicted Shaking, 224 J. Engineering Med.
1 (2010).
7) C. Z. Cory & M. D. Jones, Development of a Simulation System for Performing In Situ Surface Tests to Assess the Potential
Severity of Head Impacts from Alleged Short Falls, 163 Forensic Sci. Int'l 102 (2006).
8) C. Z. Cory & B. M. Jones, Can Shaking Alone Cause Fatal Brain Injury? A Biomechanical Assessment of the Duhaime
Shaken Baby Syndrome Model, 43 Med., Sci. & Law 317 (2003).
9) C. Z. Cory et al., The Potential and Limitations of Utilising Head Impact Injury Models to Assess the Likelihood of Significant
Head Injury in Infants After a Fall, 123 Forensic Sci. Int'l 89 (2001).
10) Ann-Christine Duhaime et al., The Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Clinical, Pathological and Biomechanical Study, 66 J.
Neurosurgery 409 (1987).
11) T.A. Gennarelli & L.E. Thibault, Biomechanics of Acute Subdural Hematoma, 22 J. Trauma 680 (1982).
12) T.A. Gennarelli et al., Diffuse Axonal Injury and Traumatic Coma in the Primate, 12 Annals Neurology 564 (1982).
*600 13) Werner Goldsmith & John Plunkett, A Biomechanical Analysis of the Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury in Infants
and Children, 25 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 89 (2004).
14) S. A. Hans et al., A Finite Element infant Eye Model to Investigate Retinal Forces in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 247 Graefe's
Archive for Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology 561 (2009).
15) Kent P. Hymel et al., Abusive Head Trauma? A Biomechanics-Based Approach, 3 Child Maltreatment 116 (1998).
16) Nicole G. Ibrahim et al., In Situ Deformations in the Immature Brain During Rapid Rotations, 132 J. Biomechanical
Engineering 44501 (2010).
17) M. D. Jones et al., Subdural Haemorrhage Sustained in a Baby-Rocker?: A Biomechanical Approach to Causation, 131
Forensic Sci. Int'l 14 (2003).
18) K.D. Klinich et al., Estimating Infant Head Injury Criteria and Impact Response Using Crash Reconstruction and Finite
Element Modeling, 46 Stapp. Car Crash J. 165 (2002).
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19) Jason F. Luck et al., Tensile Mechanical Properties of the Perinatal and Pediatric PMHS Osteoligamentous Cervical Spine,
52 Stapp. Car Crash J. 107 (2008).
20) Susan S. Margulies & Kirk L. Thibault, Infant Skull and Suture Properties: Measurements and Implications for Mechanisms
of Pediatric Brain Injury, 122 J. Biomechanical Eng'g 364 (2000).
21) Susan S. Margulies & Lawrence E. Thibault, A Proposed Tolerance Criterion for Diffuse Axonal Injury in Man, 25 J.
Biomechanical Engineering 917 (1992).
22) Susan S. Margulies & Lawrence E. Thibault, An Analytical Model of Traumatic Diffuse Brain Injury, 111 J. Biomechanical
Engineering 241 (1989).
23) John W. Melvin et al., Brain Injury Biomechanics, in Accidental Injury: Biomechanics and Prevention 268, 268-91 (Alan
M. Nahum & John W. Melvin eds., 1993).
24) A.K. Ommaya et al., Biomechanics and Neuropathology of Adult and Paediatric Head Injury, 16 Brit. J. Neurosurgery
220 (2002).
*601 25) A.K. Ommaya & A.E. Hirsch, Tolerances for Cerebral Concussion from Head Impact and Whiplash in Primates,
4 J. Biomechanics 13 (1971).
26) A.K. Ommaya et al., Whiplash Injury and Brain Damage: An Experimental Study, 204 JAMA 285 (1968).
27) Jun Ouyang et al., Biomechanical Assessment of the Pediatric Cervical Spine Under Bending and Tensile Loading, 30
Spine E716 (2005).
28) Brielle M. Paolini et al., Pediatric Head Injury Prediction: Investigating the Distance Between the Skull and the Brain Using
Medical Imaging, 45 Biomedical Sci. & Instrumentation 161 (2009).
29) Michael T. Prange et al., Anthropomorphic Simulations of Falls, Shakes, and Inflicted Impacts on Infants, 99 J.
Neurosurgery 143 (2003).
30) Michael T. Prange & Susan S. Margulies, Regional, Directional, and Age-Dependent Properties of the Brain Undergoing
Large Deformation, 124 J. Biomechanical Engineering 244 (2002).
31) Michael T. Prange et al., Mechanical Properties and Anthropometry of the Human Infant Head, 48 Stapp. Car Crash J.
279 (2004).
32) Ramesh Raghupathi et al., Traumatic Axonal Injury is Exacerbated following Repetitive Closed Head Injury in the Neonatal
Pig, 21 J. Neurotrauma 307 (2004).
33) Ramesh Raghupathi & Susan S. Margulies, Traumatic Axonal Injury after Closed Head Injury in the Neonatal Pig, 19 J.
Neurotrauma 843 (2002).
34) Nagarajan Rangarajan et al., Finite Element Model of Ocular Injury in Abusive Head Trauma, 13 J. Am. Ass'n Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 364 (2009).
35) Anny Sauvageau et al., Cerebral Traumatism with a Playground Rocking Toy Mimicking Shaken Baby Syndrome, 53 J.
Forensic Sci. 479 (2008).
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36) Betty S. Spivack, Chapter Five: Biomechanics of Abusive Head Trauma, 5 J. Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma 55
(2001).
*602 37) Kirk L. Thibault & Susan S. Marqulies, Age-Dependent Material Properties of the Porcine Cerebrum: Effect on
Pediatric Inertial Head Injury Criteria, J. Biomechanics 1119 (1998).
38) Angela K. Thompson et al., Assessment of Head Injury Risk Associated with Feet-First Free Falls in 12-Month-Old Children
Using an Anthropomorphic Test Device, 66 J. Trauma 1019 (2009).
General:
Meta-Analysis/Systematic Reviews/Guidelines:
1) Cindy W. Christian et al., Policy Statement: Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children, 123 Pediatrics 1409 (2009).
2) Alison M. Kemp et al., What are the Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Spinal Injuries from Physical Abuse: A
Systematic Review, 95 Archives Disease Childhood 355 (2010).
3) Alison M. Kemp et al., Patterns of Skeletal Fractures in Child Abuse: Systematic Review, 337 Brit. Med. J. 859 (2008).
4) S. Maguire et al., Which Clinical Features Distinguish Inflicted from Non-Inflicted Brain Injury? A Systematic Review, 94
Archives Disease Childhood 860 (2009).
5) Kieran T. Moran, National Australian Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome, 176 Med. J. Austl. 310 (2002).
6) The Royal Coll. of Paediatrics & Child Health & Royal Coll. of Radiologists, Standards for Radiological Investigations
of Suspected Non-Accidental Injury 10 (March 2008), http:// www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/asset_ library/Publications/
S/StandardsforRadiologicalInvestigationsD..
Controlled Studies/Trials:
1) Ronald G. Barr et al., Do Educational Materials Change Knowledge and Behaviour About Crying and Shaken Baby
Syndrome? A Randomized Controlled Trial, 180 Canadian Med. Ass'n J. 727 (2009).
*603 2) Ronald G. Barr et al., Effectiveness of Educational Materials Designed to Change Knowledge and Behaviors
Regarding Crying and Shaken-Baby Syndrome in Mothers of Newborns: A Randomized, Controlled Trial, 123 Pediatrics 972
(2009).
3) Rachel Pardes Berger et al., Serum Neuron-Specific Enolase, S100B, and Myelin Basic Protein Concentrations After Inflicted
and Noninflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Children, 103 J. Neurosurgery 61 (2005).
4) Mark S. Dias et al., Preventing Abusive Head Trauma Among Infants and Young Children: A Hospital-Based, Parent
Education Program, 115 Pediatrics e470 (2005).
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5) Heather T. Keenan et al., Neurodevelopmental Consequences of Early Traumatic Brain Injury in 3-Year-Old Children, 119
Pediatrics e616 (2007).
6) John Pollina, Jr. et al., Cranial Birth Injuries in Term Newborn Infants, 35 Pediatric Neurosurgery 113 (2001).
7) Randall A. Ruppel et al., Excitatory Amino Acid Concentrations in Ventricular Cerebrospinal Fluid After Severe Traumatic
Brain Injury in Infants and Children: The Role of Child Abuse, 138 J. Pediatrics 18 (2001).
Comparative Cohorts /Prospective Case Series:
1) Robin L. Altman et al., Abusive Head Injury as a Cause of Apparent Life-Threatening Events in Infancy, 157 Archives
Pediatrics & Adolescent Med. 1011 (2003).
2) Karen M. Barlow et al., Late Neurologic and Cognitive Sequelae of Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Infancy, 116 Pediatrics
e174 (2005).
3) Karen M. Barlow & Robert A. Minns, Annual Incidence of Shaken Impact Syndrome in Young Children, 356 Lancet 1527
(2000).
4) Kirsten Bechtel et al., Relationship of Serum S100B Levels and Intracranial Injury in Children with Closed Head Trauma,
124 Pediatrics e697 (2009).
5) Kirsten Bechtel et al., Characteristics that Distinguish Accidental from Abusive Injury in Hospitalized Young Children with
Head Trauma, 114 Pediatrics 165 (2004).
*604 6) Sue R. Beers et al., Neurocognitive Outcome and Serum Biomarkers in Inflicted Versus Non-Inflicted Traumatic
Brain Injury in Young Children, 24 J. Neurotrauma 97 (2007).
7) Rachel Pardes Berger et al., Identification of Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Well-Appearing Infants Using Serum and
Cerebrospinal Markers: A Possible Screening Tool, 117 Pediatrics 325 (2006).
8) Rachel Pardes Berger et al., Assessment of the Macrophage Marker Quinolinic Acid in Cerebrospinal Fluid After Pediatric
Traumatic Brain Injury: Insight into the Timing and Severity of Injury in Child Abuse, 21 J. Neurotrauma 1123 (2004).
9) Rachel Pardes Berger et al. Serum S100B Concentrations Are Increased After Closed Head Injury in Children: A Preliminary
Study, 19 J. Neurotrauma 1405 (2002).
10) A.C. Duhaime et al., Head Injury in Very Young Children: Mechanisms, Injury Types and Ophthalmologic Findings in 100
Hospitalized Patients Younger Than 2 Years of Age, 90 Pediatrics 179 (1992).
11) Linda Ewing-Cobbs et al., Late Intellectual and Academic Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury Sustained During
Early Childhood, 105 J. Neurosurgery: Pediatrics 287 (2006).
12) Linda Ewing-Cobbs, et al., Neuroimaging, Physical, and Developmental Findings after Inflicted and Noninflicted Traumatic
Brain Injury in Young Children, 102 Pediatrics 300, 300 (1998).
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13) Manuela Fanconi & Ulrich Lips, Shaken Baby Syndrome in Switzerland: Results of a Prospective Follow-up Study,
2002-2007., 169 Eur. J. Pediatrics 1023 (2010).
14) Kenneth W. Feldman et al., The Cause of Infant and Toddler Subdural Hemorrhage: A Prospective Study, 108 Pediatrics
636 (2001).
15) John W. Finnie et al., Diffuse Neuronal Perikaryal Amyloid Precursor Protein Immunoreactivity in an Ovine Model of
Non-Accidental Head Injury (the Shaken Baby Syndrome), 17 J. Clinical Neuroscience 237 (2010).
16) J. Haviland & R.I. Ross Russell, Outcome After Severe Non-Accidental Head Injury, 77 Archives Disease Childhood 504
(1997).
*605 17) C. Hobbs et al., Subdural Haematoma and Effusion in Infancy: An Epidemiological Study, 90 Archives Disease
Childhood 952 (2005).
18) Kent P. Hymel et al., Head Injury Depth as an Indicator of Causes and Mechanisms, 125 Pediatrics 712 (2010).
19) Kent P. Hymel et al., Mechanisms, Clinical Presentations, Injuries, and Outcomes from Inflicted Versus Noninflicted Head
Trauma during Infancy: Results of a Prospective, Multicentered, Comparative Study, 119 Pediatrics 922 (2007).
20) Heather T. Keenan et al., Child Outcomes and Family Characteristics 1 Year After Severe Inflicted or Noninflicted
Traumatic Brain Injury,117 Pediatrics 317 (2006).
21) Heather T. Keenan et al., A Population-Based Comparison of Clinical Outcome Characteristics of Young Children with
Serious Inflicted and Noninflicted Traumatic Brain Injury, 114 Pediatrics 633 (2004).
22) M.R. Prasad et al., Cognitive and Neuroimaging Findings in Physically Abused Preschoolers, 90 Archives Disease
Childhood 82 (2005).
23) Matthieu Vinchon et al., Confessed Abuse Versus Witnessed Accidents in Infants: Comparison of Clinical, Radiological,
and Ophthalmological Data in Corroborated Cases, 26 Child's Nervous Sys. 637 (2010).
Retrospective Case Series/Case Reports:
1) Phyllis F. Agran et al., Rates of Pediatric Injuries by 3-Month Intervals for Children 0 to 3 Years of Age, 111 Pediatrics
e683 (2003).
2) Randell Alexander et al., Incidence of Impact Trauma with Cranial Injuries Ascribed to Shaking, 144 Am. J. Diseases Child.
724 (1990).
3) Kristy B. Arbogast et al., Initial Neurologic Presentation in Young Children Sustaining Inflicted and Unintentional Fatal
Head Injuries (Lucid Intervals), 116 Pediatrics 180 (2005).
4) M. Elaine Billmire & Patricia A. Myers, Serious Head Injury in Infants: Accident or Abuse?, 75 Pediatrics 340 (1985).
*606 5) Dean Biron & Doug Shelton, Perpetrator Accounts in Infant Abusive Head Trauma Brought About by a Shaking
Event, 29 Child Abuse & Neglect 1347 (2005).
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6) Christine Bonnier et al., Animal Models of Shaken Baby Syndrome: Revisiting the Pathophysiology of this Devastating
Injury, 7 Developmental Neurorehabilitation 165 (2004).
7) C. Bonnier et al., Delayed White Matter Injury in a Murine Model of Shaken Baby Syndrome, 12 Brain Pathology 320 (2002).
8) Tonia J. Brousseau et al., Vitamin K Deficiency Mimicking Child Abuse, 29 J. Emergency Med. 283 (2005).
9) Colleen M. Bush et al., Pediatric Injuries from Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 28 Annals Emergency Med. 44 (1996).
10) J. Caffey, The Whiplash Shaken Infant Syndrome: Manual Shaking by the Extremities with Whiplash-Induced Intracranial
and Intraocular Bleedings, Linked with Residual Permanent Brain Damage and Mental Retardation, 54 Pediatrics 396 (1974).
11) M. De Tezanos Pinto et al., Update of 156 Episodes of Central Nervous System Bleeding in Hemophiliacs, 22 Haemostasis
259 (1992).
12) Carla DiScala et al., Child Abuse and Unintentional Injuries: A 10-Year Retrospective, 154 Archives Pediatrics &
Adolescent Med. 16 (2000).
13) Lorraine Ettaro et al., Abusive Head Trauma in Young Children: Characteristics and Medical Charges in a Hospitalized
Population, 28 Child Abuse & Neglect 1099 (2004).
14) Takeo Fujiwara et al., Characteristics that Distinguish Abusive from Nonabusive Head Trauma Among Young Children
Who Underwent Head Computed Tomography in Japan, 122 Pediatrics e841 (2008).
15) Eva Lai Wah Fung et al., Unexplained Subdural Hematoma in Young Children: Is it Always Child Abuse?, 44 Pediatrics
Int'l 37 (2002).
16) A.N. Guthkelch, Infantile Subdural Haematoma and its Relationship to Whiplash Injuries, 2 Brit. Med. J. 430 (1971).
17) Joeli Hettler & David S. Greenes, Can the Initial History Predict Whether a Child with a Head Injury Has Been Abused?,
111 Pediatrics 602 (2003).
*607 18) S. Jayawant et al., Subdural Haemorrhages in Infants: Population Based Study, 317 Brit. Med. J. 1558 (1998).
19) Carole Jenny et al., Analysis of Missed Cases of Abusive Head Trauma, 281 JAMA 621 (1999).
20) S.A. Jessee, Physical Manifestations of Child Abuse to the Head, Face and Mouth: A Hospital Survey, 62 ASDC J. Dentistry
for Child. 245 (1995).
21) P. Kelly & I. Hayes, Infantile Subdural Haematoma in Auckland, New Zealand: 1988-1998, 117 N.Z. Med. J. U1047 (2004).
22) A.M. Kemp et al., Apnoea and Brain Swelling in Non-Accidental Head Injury, 88 Archives Disease Childhood 472 (2003).
23) C. Henry Kempe et al., The Battered-Child Syndrome, 181 JAMA 17 (1962).
24) Henry Kesler et al., Demographics of Abusive Head Trauma in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1 J. Neurosurgury
Pediatrics 351 (2008).
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25) A. Laurent-Vannier et al., Long-Term Outcome of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Medicolegal Consequences: A Case
Report, 52 Annals Physical & Rehabilitation Med. 436 (2009).
26) Cynthia Lee et al., Age-Related Incidence of Publicly Reported Shaken Baby Syndrome Cases: Is Crying a Trigger for
Shaking? 28 J. Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 288 (2007).
27) Mark W. Morris et al., Evaluation of Infants with Subdural Hematoma Who Lack External Evidence of Abuse, 105 Pediatrics
549 (2000).
28) M.C. Myhre et al., Traumatic Head Injury in Infants and Toddlers, 96 Acta Paediatrica 1159 (2007).
29) R. Oral et al., Fatal Abusive Head Trauma Cases: Consequence of Medical Staff Missing Milder Forms of Physical Abuse,
24 Pediatric Emergency Care 816 (2008).
30) John Plunkett, Resuscitation Injuries Complicating the Interpretation of Premortem Trauma and Natural Disease in Children,
51 J. Forensic Sci. 127 (2006).
31) John Plunkett, Sudden Death in an Infant Caused by Rupture of a Basilar Artery Aneurysm, 20 Am. J. Forensic Med. &
Pathology 211 (1999).
*608 32) Robert M. Reece & Robert Sege, Childhood Head Injuries: Accidental or Inflicted?, 154 Archives Pediatrics &
Adolescent Med. 11-15 (2000).
33) A. Ríos et al., Severe Child Abuse Admitted to Paediatric ICU, 71 Anales de Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain) 64 (2009).
34) Hani Salehi-Had et al., Findings in Older Children with Abusive Head Injury: Does Shaken-Child Syndrome Exist, 117
Pediatrics e1039 (2006).
35) Anny Sauvageau et al., Cerebral Traumatism with a Playground Rocking Toy Mimicking Shaken Baby Syndrome, 53 J.
Forensic Sci. 479 (2008).
36) Suzanne P. Starling et al., Analysis of Perpetrator Admissions to Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Children, 158 Archives
Pediatrics & Adolescent Med. 454 (2004).
37) Dena Towner et al., Effect of Mode of Delivery in Nulliparous Women on Neonatal Intracranial Injury, 341 New Eng.
J. Med. 1709 (1999).
38) Dimitra Tzioumi & R. Kim Oates, Subdural Hematomas in Children Under 2 Years. Accidental or Inflicted? A 10-year
Experience, 22 Child Abuse & Neglect 1105 (1998).
39) Clark C. Watts & Carlos Acosta, Pertussis and Bilateral Subdural Hematomas, 118 Am. J. Diseases Child. 518 (1969).
40) Krista Y. Willman et al., Restricting the Time of Injury in Fatal Inflicted Head Injuries, 21 Child Abuse & Neglect 929
(1997).
Reviews:
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1) Rachel Pardes Berger et al., Serum Biomarkers After Traumatic and Hypoxemic Brain Injuries: Insight into the Biochemical
Response of the Pediatric Brain to Inflicted Brain Injury, 28 Developmental Neuroscience 327 (2006).
2) Antonia Chiesa & Ann-Christine Duhaime, Abusive Head Trauma, 56 Pediatric Clinics N. Am. 317 (2009).
3) Paula Gerber & Kathryn Coffman, Nonaccidental Head Trauma in Infants, 23 Child's Nervous Sys. 499 (2007).
4) Kent P. Hymel et al., Intracranial Hemorrhage and Rebleeding in Suspected Victims of Abusive Head Trauma: Addressing
the Forensic Controversies, 7 Child Maltreatment 329 (2002).
*609 5) Sandeep Jayawant & Jeremy Parr, Outcome Following Subdural Haemorrhages in Infancy, 92 Archives Disease
Childhood 343 (2007).
6) E. Rebuffat, Shaken Baby Syndrome, 30 Revue Médicale de Bruxelles 234 (2009).
Neurosurgery:
Comparative Cohorts /Prospective Case Series:
1) Sarah L. Smith et al., Infant Rat Model of the Shaken Baby Syndrome: Preliminary Characterization and Evidence for the
Role of Free Radicals in Cortical Hemorrhaging and Progressive Neuronal Degeneration, 15 J. Neurotrauma 693 (1998).
2) Matthieu Vinchon et al., Subdural Hematoma in Infants: Can it Occur Spontaneously? Data from a Prospective Series and
Critical Review of the Literature, 26 Child's Nervous Sys. 1195 (2010).
3) Matthieu Vinchon et al., Accidental and Nonaccidental Head Injuries in Infants: A Prospective Study, 102 J. Neurosurgery:
Pediatrics 380 (2005).
4) Matthieu Vinchon et al., Infantile Traumatic Subdural Hematomas: Outcome After Five Years, 39 Pediatric Neurosurgery
122 (2003).
5) Matthieu Vinchon et al., Infantile Subdural Hematoma Due to Traffic Accidents, 37 Pediatric Neurosurgery 245 (2002).
Retrospective Case Series/Case Reports:
1) Nobuhiko Aoki & Hideaki Masuzawa, Subdural Hematomas in Abused Children: Report of Six Cases from Japan, 18
Neurosurgery 475 (1986).
2) Nobuhiko Aoki & Hideaki Masuzawa, Infantile Acute Subdural Hematoma. Clinical Analysis of 26 Cases, 61 J. Neurosurgery
273 (1984).
3) M. Azais, B. Echenne, Idiopathic Pericerebral Effusions of Infancy (External Hydrocephalus), 39 Annales de Pediatrie 550
(1992).
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*610 4) Derek A. Bruce et al., Diffuse Cerebral Swelling Following Head Injuries in Children: The Syndrome of “Malignant
Brain Edema”, 54 J. Neurosurgery 170 (1981).
5) Shervin R. Dashti et al., Current Patterns of Inflicted Head Injury in Children, 31 Pediatric Neurosurgery 302 (1999).
6) Anne-Christine Duhaime et al., Disappearing Subdural Hematomas in Children, 25 Pediatric Neurosurgery 116 (1996).
7) Ali Ghahreman et al., Nonaccidental Head Injuries in Children: A Sydney Experience, 103 J. Neurosurgery 213 (2005).
8) Saadi Ghatan & Richard G. Ellenbogen, Pediatric Spine and Spinal Cord Injury after Inflicted Trauma, 13 Neurosurgery
Clinics N. Am. 227 (2002).
9) Patrick Graupman & Ken R. Winston, Nonaccidental Head Trauma as a Cause of Childhood Death, 104 J. Neurosurgery
245 (2006).
10) Thomas J. Gruber & Curtis J. Rozzelle, Thoracolumbar Spine Subdural Hematoma as a Result of Nonaccidental Trauma
in a 4-Month-Old Infant, 2 J. Neurosurgery: Pediatrics 139 (2008).
11) Mark N. Hadley et al., The Infant Whiplash-Shake Injury Syndrome: A Clinical and Pathological Study, 24 Neurosurgery
536 (1989).
12) Sei Haga et al., Multiple Chronic Subdural Hematoma in Shaken-Baby Syndrome, 32 No Shinkei Geka 845 (2004).
13) Leslie C. Hellbusch, Benign Extracerebral Fluid Collections in Infancy: Clinical Presentation and Long-Term Follow-Up,
107 J. Neurosurgery 119 (2007).
14) Aparna Hoskote et al., Subdural Haematoma and Non-Accidental Head Injury in Children, 18 Child's Nervous Sys. 311
(2002).
15) Matthew A. Howard et al., The Pathophysiology of Infant Subdural Haematomas, 7 Brit. J. Neurosurgery 355 (1993).
16) Sung Kyoo Hwang & Seung Lae Kim, Infantile Head Injury with Special Reference to the Development of Chronic Subdural
Hematoma, 16 Child's Nervous Sys. 590 (2000).
17) Joel S. Katz et al., Prevalence of Cervical Spine Injury in Infants with Head Trauma, 5 J. Neurosurgery: Pediatrics 470
(2010).
*611 18) Yuji Kujiraoka et al., Shaken Baby Syndrome Manifesting as Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Importance of Single
Photon Emission Computed Tomography for Treatment Indications--Case Report, 44 Neurologia Medico-Chirurgica 359
(2004).
19) B. Laubscher et al., Primitive Megalencephaly in Children: Natural History, Medium Term Prognosis with Special
Reference to External Hydrocephalus, 149 Eur. J. Pediatrics 502 (1990).
20) Daniel McNeely et al., Subdural Hematomas in Infants with Benign Enlargement of the Subarachnoid Spaces Are Not
Pathognomonic for Child Abuse, 27 Am. J. Neuroradiology 1725, 1725 (2006).
21) Joseph H. Piatt, Jr., A Pitfall in the Diagnosis of Child Abuse: External Hydrocephalus, Subdural Hematoma, and Retinal
Hemorrhages, 7 Neurosurgical Focus e4 (1999).
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22) Ciaran J. Powers et al., Chronic Subdural Hematoma of the Neonate: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review, 43
Pediatric Neurosurgery 25 (2007).
23) J.W. Snoek et al., Delayed Deterioration Following Mild Head Injury in Children, 107 Brain 15 (1984).
24) S.C. Stein & C.M. Spettell, Delayed and Progressive Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents with Head Trauma, 23
Pediatric Neurosurgery 299 (1995).
25) Paul Steinbok et al., Early Hypodensity on Computed Tomographic Scan of the Brain in an Accidental Pediatric Head
Injury, 60 Neurosurgery 689 (2007).
26) David T.F. Sun et al., Non-Accidental Subdural Haemorrhage in Hong Kong: Incidence, Clinical Features, Management
and Outcome, 22 Child's Nervous System 593 (2006).
27) Victoria Trenchs et al., Subdural Haematomas and Physical Abuse in the First Two Years of Life, 43 Pediatric Neurosurgery
352 (2007).
Reviews:
1) Mark S. Dias, Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, 51 Pediatric Clinics N. Am. 271 (2004).
2) Ann-Christine Duhaime et al., Nonaccidental Head Injury in Infants-- The “Shaken-Baby Syndrome”, 338 New Eng. J. Med.
1822 (1998).
*612 3) Jill C. Glick & Kelley Staley, Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury: Advances in Evaluation and Collaborative Diagnosis,
43 Pediatric Neurosurgery 436 (2007).
4) Dale M. Swift & Lori McBride, Chronic Subdural Hematoma in Children, 11 Neurosurgery Clinics N. Am. 439 (2000).
Ophthalmology:
Meta-Analysis/Systematic Reviews/Guidelines:
1) G. Adams et al., Update from the Ophthalmology Child Abuse Working Party: Royal College Ophthalmologists, 18 Eye
795 (2004).
2) Gaurav Bhardwaj et al., A Systematic Review of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Ocular Signs in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma,
118 Ophthalmology 430 (2010).
3) Alex V. Levin et al., The Eye Examination in the Evaluation of Child Abuse, 126 Pediatrics 376 (2010).
4) Alex V. Levin et al., Information Statement: Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome,
Am. Acad. of Ophthalmology (June 2010), http://one.aao.org/ce/practiceguidelines/clinicalstatements_content.aspx?
cid=914163d5-5313-4c23-80f1-07167ee62579.
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5) Brandon M. Togioka et al., Retinal Hemorrhages and Shaken Baby Syndrome: An Evidence-Based Review, 37 J. Emergency
Med. 98 (2009).
Controlled Studies/Trials:
1) Maria Cristina Carraro et al., Prevalence of Retinopathy in Patients with Anemia or Thrombocytopenia, 67 Eur. J.
Haematology 238 (2001).
2) M.G.F. Gilliland & Martha Waters Luckenbach, Are Retinal Hemorrhages Found After Resuscitation Attempts? A Study of
the Eyes of 169 Children, 14 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 187 (1993).
3) Viejo I. González et al., Hemorrhagic Retinopathy in Newborns: Frequency, Form of Presentation, Associated Factors and
Significance, 5 Eur. J. Ophthalmology 247 (1995).
*613 4) Yari Morad et al., Non-Ophthalmologists' Accuracy in Diagnosing Retinal Hemorrhages in the Shaken Baby
Syndrome, 142 J. Pediatrics 431 (2003).
5) William F. Reed et al., Does Soccer Ball Heading Cause Retinal Bleeding?, 156 Archives Pediatrics & Adolescent Med.
337 (2002).
6) António L. Silva-Araújo et al., Retinal Hemorrhages Associated With in Utero Exposure to Cocaine. Experimental and
Clinical Findings, 16 Retina 411 (1996).
Comparative Cohorts/Prospective Case Series:
1) Ashish Agrawal & Martin McKibbin, Purtscher's Retinopathy: Epidemiology, Clinical Features and Outcome, 91 Brit. J.
Ophthalmology 1456 (2007).
2) Irene I. Anteby et al., Retinal and Intraventricular Cerebral Hemorrhages in the Preterm Infant Born at or Before 30 Weeks'
Gestation, 5 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 90 (2001).
3) Yvonne M. Buys et al., Retinal Findings After Head Trauma in Infants and Young Children, 99 Ophthalmology 1718 (1992).
4) Ana Isabel Curcoy et al., Retinal Hemorrhages and Apparent Life-Threatening Events, 26 Pediatric Emergency Care 118
(2010).
5) A.I. Curcoy et al., Do Retinal Haemorrhages Occur in Infants with Convulsions?, 94 Archives Disease Childhood 873 (2009).
6) M. Vaughn Emerson et al., Incidence and Rate of Disappearance of Retinal Hemorrhage in Newborns, 108 Ophthalmology
36 (2001).
7) James C. Fackler et al., Retinal Hemorrhages in Newborn Piglets Following Cardiopulmonary-Resuscitation, 146 Am. J.
Diseases Child. 1294 (1992).
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8) Hans C. Fledelius, Retinal Haemorrhages in Premature Infants: A Pathogenetic Alternative Diagnosis to Child Abuse, 83
Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica 424 (2005).
9) M.G.F. Gilliland et al., Age of Retinal Hemorrhages by Iron Detection: An Animal Model, 26 Am. J. Forensic Med. &
Pathology 1 (2005).
*614 10) M.G.F. Gilliland et al., Systemic and Ocular Findings in 169 Prospectively Studied Child Deaths: Retinal
Hemorrhages Usually Mean Child Abuse, 68 Forensic Sci. Int'l 117 (1994).
11) Michael Goldman et al., Severe Cough and Retinal Hemorrhage in Infants and Young Children, 148 J. Pediatrics 835 (2006).
12) Sandra Herr et al., Does Valsalva Retinopathy Occur in Infants? An Initial Investigation in Infants with Vomiting Caused
by Pyloric Stenosis, 113 Pediatrics 1658 (2004).
13) Lindsey A. Hughes et al., Incidence, Distribution, and Duration of Birth-Related Retinal Hemorrhages: A Prospective Study,
10 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 102 (2006).
14) Dennis L. Johnson et al., Accidental Head Trauma and Retinal Hemorrhage, 33 Neurosurgery 231 (1993).
15) M. Mei-Zahav et al., Convulsions and Retinal Haemorrhage: Should We Look Further?, 86 Archives Disease Childhood
334 (2002).
16) Amy Odom et al., Prevalence of Retinal Hemorrhages in Pediatric Patients After In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation: A Prospective Study, 99 Pediatrics e3 (1997).
17) Vincent Pierre-Kahn et al., Ophthalmologic Findings in Suspected Child Abuse Victims with Subdural Hematomas, 110
Ophthalmology 1718 (2003).
18) Raymond D. Pitetti et al., Prevalence of Retinal Hemorrhages and Child Abuse in Children Who Present with an Apparent
Life-Threatening Event, 110 Pediatrics 557 (2002).
19) S. Sandramouli et al., Retinal Haemorrhages and Convulsions, 76 Archives Disease Childhood 449 (1997).
20) Susan Schloff et al., Retinal Findings in Children with Intracranial Hemorrhage, 109 Ophthalmology 1472 (2002).
21) Viet Sturm et al., Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 146 Am. J. Ophthalmology 363
(2008).
22) V. Trenchs et al., Retinal Haemorrhages in Head Trauma Resulting from Falls: Differential Diagnosis with Non-Accidental
Trauma in Patients Younger than 2 Years of Age, 24 Child's Nervous Sys. 815 (2008).
*615 23) Ajai K. Tyagi et al., Can Convulsions Alone Cause Retinal Haemorrhages in Infants?, 82 Brit. J. Ophthalmology
659 (1998).
Retrospective Case Series/Case Reports:
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1) Aziz S. Abdul-Rahim et al., Bilateral Retinal Hemorrhages in an 18-Year-Old Woman, 47 Surv. Ophthalmology 590 (2002).
2) R.L. Altman et al., Ophthalmologic Findings in Infants After an Apparent Life-Threatening Event, 17 Eur. J. Ophthalmology
648 (2007).
3) Stephanie A. Arlotti et al., Unilateral Retinal Hemorrhages in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 11 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 175 (2007).
4) Ajay Bhatnagar et al., Subinternal Limiting Membrane Hemorrhage with Perimacular Fold in Leukemia, 127 Archives
Ophthalmology 1548 (2009).
5) Gil Binenbaum et al., Odds of Abuse Associated with Retinal Hemorrhages in Children Suspected of Child Abuse, 13 J.
Am. Ass'n for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 268 (2009).
6) Gil Binenbaum et al., An Animal Model to Study Retinal Hemorrhages in Nonimpact Brain Injury, 11 J. Am. Ass'n for
Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 84 (2007).
7) Gordon L. Bray & Naomi L.C. Luban, Hemophilia Presenting with Intracranial Hemorrhage: An Approach to the Infant with
Intracranial Bleeding and Coagulopathy, 141 Am. J. Diseases Child. 1215 (1987).
8) Cindy W. Christian et al., Retinal Hemorrhages Caused by Accidental Household Trauma, 135 J. Pediatrics 125 (1999).
9) Arlene V. Drack et al., Unilateral Retinal Hemorrhages in Documented Cases of Child Abuse, 128 Am. J. Ophthalmology
340 (1999).
10) Sinead Fenton et al., Bilateral Massive Retinal Hemorrhages in a 6-Month-Old Infant: A Diagnostic Dilemma, 117 Archives
Ophthalmology 1432 (1999).
11) Brian J. Forbes et al., Retinal Hemorrhages in Patients with Epidural Hematomas, 12 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 177 (2008).
*616 12) Anuradha Ganesh et al., Retinal Hemorrhages in Type 1 Osteogenesisimperfecta After Minor Trauma, 111
Ophthalmology 1428 (2004).
13) Luis C. Gago et al., Intraretinal Hemorrhages and Chronic Subdural Effusions: Glutaricaciduria Type 1 can be Mistaken
for Shaken Baby Syndrome, 23 Retina 724 (2003).
14) Elizabeth E. Gilles et al., Retinal Hemorrhage Asymmetry in Inflicted Head Injury: A Clue to Pathogenesis?, 143 J.
Pediatrics 494 (2003).
15) R. Hauser et al., Retinal Hemorrhages as a Case for Shaking Trauma. Case Report, 53 Archiwum Medycyny Sadowej i
Kryminologii 363 (2003).
16) Katherine Healey & Walter Schrading, A Case of Shaken Baby Syndrome with Unilateral Retinal Hemorrhage with No
Associated Intracranial Hemorrhage, 24 Am. J. Emergency Med. 616 (2006).
17) Charuta Joshi et al., A Picture Worth Remembering: Posttraumatic Purtscher's Retinopathy in a Child, 23 J. Child Neurology
353 (2008).
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18) J.D. Kilvin et al., Retinal Hemorrhages in Children Following Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes: A Case Series, 126 Archives
Ophthalmology 800 (2008).
19) Jane D. Kilvin et al., Shaken Baby Syndrome, 107 Ophthalmology 1246 (2008).
20) Yuri Kobayashi et al., Ocular Manifestations and Prognosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome in Two Japanese Children's
Hospitals, 53 Japanese J. Ophthalmology 384 (2009).
21) Matti Kontkanen & Kai Kaamiranta, Retinal Hemorrhages in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 87 Acta Ophthalmologica 471
(2009).
22) Gregg T. Lueder et al., Perimacular Retinal Folds Simulating Nonaccidental Injury in an Infant, 124 Archives
Ophthalmology 1782 (2006).
23) Juan Pablo Lopez et al., Severe Retinal Hemorrhages in Infants with Aggressive, Fatal Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Meningitis, 14 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 97 (2010).
*617 24) S.J. Massicotte et al., Vitreoretinal Traction and Perimacular Retinal Folds in the Eyes of Deliberately Traumatized
Children, 98 Ophthalmology 1124 (1991).
25) G.P. Matthews & A. Das, Dense Vitreous Hemorrhages Predict Poor Visual and Neurological Prognosis in Infants with
Shaken Baby Syndrome, 33 J. Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 260 (1996).
26) Craig F. McCabe & Sean P. Donahue, Prognostic Indicators for Vision and Mortality in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 118
Archives Ophthalmology 373 (2000).
27) Raymond F. Mierisch et al., Retinal Hemorrhages in an 8-Year-Old Child: An Uncommon Presentation of Abusive Injury,
20 Pediatric Emergency Care 118 (2004).
28) Monte Mills, Funduscopic Lesions Associated with Mortality in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 2 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 67 (1998).
29) Yair Morad et al., Normal Computerized Tomography of Brain in Children with Shaken Baby Syndrome, 8 J. Am. Ass'n
for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 445 (2004).
30) Yair Morad et al., Correlation Between Retinal Abnormalities and Intracranial Abnormalities in the Shaken Baby Syndrome,
134 Am. J. Ophthalmology 354 (2002).
31) Ebube Obi & Patrick Watts, Are There Any Pathognomonic Signs in Shaken Baby Syndrome?, 11 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 99 (2007).
32) Joseph C. Paviglianiti & Sean P. Donahue, Unilateral Retinal Hemorrhages and Ipsilateral Intracranial Bleeds in
Nonaccidental Trauma, 3 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 383 (1999).
33) S. Raman & R.M.L. Doran, A New Cause for Retinal Haemorrhage and Disc Oedema in Child Abuse, 18 Eye 75 (2004).
34) I. Serbanescu et al., Natural Animal Shaking: A Model for Non-Accidental Head Injury in Children?, 22 Eye 715 (2008).
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35) Patrick Sibony et al., Asymptomatic Peripapillary Subretinal Hemorrhage: A Study of 10 Cases, 28 J. Neuro-Ophthalmology
114 (2008).
36) V. Sturm et al., Rare Retinal Hemorrhages in Translational Accidental Head Trauma in Children, 23 Eye 1535 (2009).
*618 37) P. Watts & E. Obi, Retinal Folds and Retinoschisis in Accidental and Non-Accidental Head Injury, 22 Eye 1514
(2008).
38) W. Scott Wilkinson et al., Retinal Hemorrhage Predicts Neurologic Injury in the Shaken Baby Syndrome, 107 Archives
Ophthalmology 1472 (1989).
Reviews:
1) G. Adams et al., Update from the Ophthalmology Child Abuse Working Party: Royal College Ophthalmologists, 18 Eye
795 (2004).
2) Ashish Agrawal & Martin Andrew McKibbin, Purtscher's and Purtscher-Like Retinopathies: A Review, 51 Surv.
Ophthalmology 129 (2006).
3) Brian John Forbes, Clues as to the Pathophysiology of Retinal Hemorrhages in Shaken Baby Syndrome Determined with
Optical Coherence Tomography, 146 Am. J. Ophthalmology 344 (2008).
4) Brian J. Forbes et al. Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome): Ophthalmic Findings, 41 J. Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 80 (2004).
5) Alex V. Levin, Retinal Hemorrhages: Advances in Understanding, 56 Pediatric Clinics N. Am. 333 (2009).
6) Alex V. Levin, Retinal Hemorrhages of Crush Head Injury: Learning from Outliers, 124 Archives Ophthalmology 1773
(2006).
7) Alex V. Levin, Ophthalmology of Shaken Baby Syndrome, 13 Neurosurgery Clinics N. Am. 201 (2002).
8) A.V. Levin, Retinal Hemorrhage and Child Abuse, in 18 Recent Advances in Paediatrics 151-219 (T.J. David ed., 2000).
9) Yair Morad et al., Retinal Haemorrhage in Abusive Head Trauma, 38 Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology 514 (2010).
10) Nils K. Mungan, Update on Shaken Baby Syndrome: Ophthalmology, 18 Current Opinion Ophthalmology 392 (2007).
*619 Pathology:
Meta-Analysis/Systematic Reviews/Guidelines:
1) M.G.F. Gilliland et al., Guidelines for Postmortem Protocol for Ocular Investigation of Sudden Unexplained Infant Death
and Suspected Physical Child Abuse, 28 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 323 (2007).
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2) Alexander R. Judkins et al., Technical Communication. Rationale and Technique for Examination of Nervous System in
Suspected Infant Victims of Abuse, 25 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 29 (2004).
Controlled Studies/Trials:
1) P. Betz et al., Morphometrical Analysis of Retinal Hemorrhages in the Shaken Baby Syndrome, 78 Forensic Sci. Int'l 71
(1996).
2) Donald L. Budenz et al., Ocular and Optic Nerve Hemorrhages in Abused Infants with Intracranial Injuries, 101
Ophthalmology 559 (1994).
3) John W. Finnie et al., Diffuse Neuronal Perikaryal Amyloid Precursor Protein Immunoreactivity in an Ovine Model of Non-
Accidental Head Injury (The Shaken Baby Syndrome), 17 J. Clinical Neuroscience 237 (2010).
4) Aaron M. Gleckman et al., Optic Nerve Damage in Shaken Baby Syndrome: Detection by Beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein
Immunohistochemistry, 124 Archives Pathology & Laboratory Med. 251 (2000).
5) Manfred Oehmichen et al., Shaken Baby Syndrome: Re-examination of Diffuse Axonal Injury as Cause of Death, 116 Acta
Neuropathologica 317 (2008).
6) N. Rao et al., Autopsy Findings in the Eyes of Fourteen Fatally Abused Children, 39 Forensic Sci. Int'l 293 (1988).
7) R.S. Riffenburgh, Ocular Hemorrhage in Autopsies of Child Abuse Victims, 23 Clinical & Surgical Ophthalmology 178
(2005).
*620 Comparative Cohorts/Prospective Case Series:
1) Marta C. Cohen & Irene Scheimberg, Evidence of Occurrence of Intradural and Subdural Hemorrhage in the Perinatal and
Neonatal Period in the Context of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: An Observational Study from Two Referral Institutions
in the United Kingdom, 12 Pediatric & Developmental Pathology 169 (2009).
2) M.G. Gilliland & R. Folberg, Shaken Babies - Some Have No Impact Injuries, 41 J. Forensic Sci. 114 (1996).
3) R.S. Riffenburgh & L. Sathyavagiswaran, Ocular Findings at Autopsy of Child Abuse Victims, 98 Ophthalmology 1519
(1991).
Retrospective Case Series/Case Reports:
1) Hideki Asamura et al., Case of Shaken Baby Syndrome in Japan Caused by Shaking Alone, 45 Pediatrics Int'l 117 (2003).
2) Roger W. Byard et al., Lack of Evidence for a Causal Relationship Between Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Subdural
Hemorrhage in Fetal Life, Infancy, and Early Childhood, 10 Pediatric & Developmental Pathology 348 (2007).
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3) Ian M. Calder et al., Primary Brain Trauma in Non-Accidental Injury, 37 J. Clinical Pathology 1095 (1984).
4) Scott Denton & Darinka Mileusnic, Delayed Sudden Death in an Infant Following an Accidental Fall: A Case Report with
Review of the Literature, 24 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 371 (2003).
5) Susan G. Elner et al., Ocular and Associated Systemic Findings in Suspected Child Abuse: A Necropsy Study, 108 Archives
Ophthalmology 1094 (1990).
6) M. Vaughn Emerson et al., Ocular Autopsy and Histopathologic Features of Child Abuse, 114 Ophthalmology 1384 (2007).
7) J.F. Geddes & D.G. Talbert, Paroxysmal Coughing, Subdural and Retinal Bleeding: A Computer Modelling [sic.] Approach,
32 Neuropathology & Applied Neurobiology 625 (2006).
8) J.F. Geddes & H.L. Whitwell, Inflicted Head Injury in Infants, 146 Forensic Sci. Int'l 83 (2004)
*621 9) J.F. Geddes et al., Dural Haemorrhage in Non-Traumatic Infant Deaths: Does It Explain the Bleeding in ‘Shaken
Baby Syndrome’?, 29 Neuropathology & Applied Neurobiology 14 (2003).
10) J.F. Geddes et al., Neuropathology of Inflicted Head Injury in Children: I. Patterns of Brain Damage, 124 Brain 1290 (2001).
11) J.F. Geddes et al., Neuropathology of Inflicted Head Injury in Children: II. Microscopic Brain Injury in Infants, 124 Brain
1299 (2001).
12) James R. Gill et al., Fatal Head Injury in Children Younger than 2 Years in New York City and an Overview of the Shaken
Baby Syndrome, 133 Archives Pathology & Laboratory Med. 619 (2009).
13) L. Gnanaraj et al., Ocular Manifestations of Crush Head Injury in Children, 21 Eye 5 (2007).
14) M.A. Green et al., Ocular and Cerebral Trauma in Non-Accidental Injury in Infancy: Underlying Mechanisms and
Implications for Paediatric Practice, 80 Brit. J. Ophthalmology 282 (1996).
15) M. Hurley et al., Is There a Causal Relationship Between the Hypoxia-Ischaemia Associated with Cardiorespiratory Arrest
and Subdural Haematomas? An Observational Study, 83 Brit. J. Radiology 736 (2010).
16) P. E. Lantz et al., Perimacular Retinal Folds from Childhood Head Trauma, 328 Brit. Med. J. 754 (2004).
17) Jean Claude Larroche, Lesions of Haemorrhagic Type, Mainly Venous, in Developmental Pathology of the Neonate 355-98
(ExcerptaMedica 1977).
18) Jan E. Leestma, Case Analysis of Brain-Injured Admittedly Shaken Infants: 54 cases, 1969-2001, 26 Am. J. Forensic Med.
& Pathology 199 (2005).
19) David H. Marshall et al., The Spectrum of Postmortem Ocular Findings in Victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome, 36 Canadian
J. Ophthalmology 377 (2001).
20) Jakob Matschke et al., Nonaccidental Head Injury Is the Most Common Cause of Subdural Bleeding in Infants <1 Year
of Age, 124 Pediatrics 1587 (2009).
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*622 21) H. Maxeiner, A Postmortem View on ‘Pure‘ Subdural Hemorrhages in Infants and Toddlers, 214 Klinische Padiatrie
30 (2002).
22) Helmut Maxeiner & Michael Wolff, Pure Subdural Hematomas: A Postmortem Analysis of Their Form and Bleeding
Points, 50 Neurosurgery 503 (2002).
23) H. Maxeiner, Evaluation of Subdural Hemorrhage in Infants After Alleged Minor Trauma, 104 Der Unfallchirurg 569
(2001).
24) Rubin Miller & Marvin Miller, Overrepresentation of Males in Traumatic Brain Injury of Infancy and in Infants With
Macrocephaly: Further Evidence That Questions the Existence of Shaken Baby Syndrome, 31 Am. J. Forensic Med. &
Pathology 165 (2010).
25) C.E. Munger et al., Ocular and Associated Neuropathologic Observations in Suspected Whiplash Shaken Infant Syndrome:
A Retrospective Study of 12 Cases, 14 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 193 (1993).
26) A.R. Nooraudah et al., Non-Accidental Fatal Head Injury in Small Children--A Clinico-Pathological Correlation, 59 Med.
J. Malaysia 160 (2004).
27) John Plunkett, Resuscitation Injuries Complicating the Interpretation of Premortem Trauma and Natural Disease in Children,
51 J. Forensic Sci. 127 (2006).
28) Andrea Porzionato & Veronica Macchi, Cervical Soft Tissue Lesions in the Shaken Infant Syndrome, 48 Med., Sci. &
Law 346 (2008).
29) P. Shannon et al., Axonal Injury and the Neuropathology of Shaken Baby Syndrome, 95 Acta Neuropathologica 625 (1998).
30) Mastake Tsujinaka & Yasuo Bunai, Postmortem Ophthalmologic Examination by Endoscopy, 27 Am. J. Forensic Med.
& Pathology 287 (2006).
31) Tamara Wygnanski-Jaffe et al., Postmortem Orbital Findings in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 142 Am. J. Ophthalmology 233
(2006).
*623 32) T. Yamashima & R.L. Friede, Why Do Bridging Veins Rupture Into the Virtual Subdural Space?, 47 J. Neurology,
Neurosurgery, & Psychiatr y 121 (1984).
Reviews:
1) Mary E. Case, Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Infants and Young Children, 18 Brain Pathology 571 (2008).
2) Mary E. Case et al., Position Paper on Fatal Abusive Head Injuries in Infants and Young Children, 22 Am. J. Forensic Med.
& Pathology 112 (2001).
3) David Dolinak & Ross Reichard, An Overview of Inflicted Head Injury in Infants and Young Children, with a Review of
Beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein Immunohistochemistry, 130 Archives Pathology Laboratory Med. 712 (2006).
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4) M.G. Gilliland & P. Luthert, Why Do Histology on Retinal Haemorrhages in Suspected Non-Accidental Injury?, 43
Histopathology 592 (2003).
5) M.G.F. Gilliland & Robert Folberg, Retinal Hemorrhages: Replicating the Clinician's View of the Eye, 56 Forensic Sci.
Int'l 77 (1992).
6) Julie Mack et al., Anatomy and Development of the Meninges: Implications for Subdural Collections and CSF Circulation,
39 Pediatric Radiology 200 (2009).
7) Jakob Matschke et al., Ocular Pathology in Shaken Baby Syndrome and Other Forms of Infantile Non-Accidental Head
Injury, 123 Int'l J. Legal Med. 189 (2009).
8) Ramesh Raghupathi, Cell Death Mechanism Following Traumatic Brain Injury, 14 Brain Pathology 215 (2004).
9) Waney Squier & Julie Mack, The Neuropathology of Infant Subdural Haemorrhage, 187 Forensic Sci. Int'l 6 (2009).
10) Tamara Wygnanski-Jaffe et al., Pathology of Retinal Hemorrhage in Abusive Head Trauma, 5 Forensic Sci. Med. &
Pathology 291 (2009).
*624 Radiology:
Meta-Analysis/Systematic Reviews/Guidelines:
1) Am. Acad. of Pediatrics Section on Radiology, Diagnostic Imaging of Child Abuse, 123 Pediatrics 1430 (2009).
2) A.M. Kemp et al., What Neuroimaging Should Be Performed in Children in Whom Inflicted Brain Injury (iBI) is Suspected?
A Systematic Review, 64 Clinical Radiology 473 (2009).
3) James S. Meyer, et al., ACR Appropriateness Criteria: Suspected Physical Abuse--
Child, Am. Coll. Radiology http:// www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/quality_safety/app_ criteria/pdf/
ExpertPanelonPediatricImaging/SuspectedPhysicalAbuseChildDoc9.aspx (last reviewed 2009).
4) The Royal Coll. of Paediatrics & Child Health & Royal Coll. of Radiologists, Standards for Radiological Investigations
of Suspected Non-Accidental Injury 10 (March 2008), http:// www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/asset_ library/Publications/
S/StandardsforRadiologicalInvestigationsD..
Controlled Studies/Trials:
1. Gregory S. Aaen et al., Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Predicts Outcomes for Children with Nonaccidental Trauma, 125
Pediatrics 295 (2010).
2. Rebecca N. Ichord et al., Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury Complicates Inflicted and Accidental Traumatic Brain Injury in Young
Children: The Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging, 24 J. Neurotrama 106 (2007).
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Comparative Cohorts/Prospective Case Series:
1) O. Baenziger et al., Early Pattern Recognition in Severe Perinatal Asphyxia: A Prospective MRI Study, 35 Neuroradiology
437 (1993).
*625 2) R. Duhem et al., Main Temporal Aspects of the MRI Signal of Subdural Hematomas and Practical Contribution to
Dating Head Injury, 52 Neurochirurgie 93 (2006).
3) Linda Ewing-Cobbs et al., Acute Neuroradiologic Findings in Young Children with Inflicted or Noninflicted Traumatic
Brain Injury, 16 Child's Nervous Sys. 25 (2000).
4) Kent P. Hymel et al., Comparison of Intracranial Computed Tomographic (CT) Findings in Pediatric Abusive and Accidental
Head Trauma, 27 Pediatric Radiology 743 (1997).
5) C.B. Looney et al., Intracranial Hemorrhage in Asymptomatic Neonates: Prevalence on MR Images and Relationship to
Obstetric and Neonatal Risk Factors, 242 Radiology 535 (2007).
6) V.J. Rooks et al., Prevalence and Evolution of Intracranial Hemorrhage in Asymptomatic Term Infants, 29 Am. J.
Neuroradiology 1082 (2008).
7) Mary A. Rutherford et al., Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy: Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Their
Evolution, 26 Neuropediatrics 83 (1995).
8) Glenn A. Tung et al., Comparison of Accidental and Nonaccidental Traumatic Head Injury in Children on Noncontrast
Computed Tomography, 118 Pediatrics 626 (2006).
9) Matthieu Vinchon et al., Imaging of Head Injuries in Infants: Temporal Correlates and Forensic Implications for the Diagnosis
of Child Abuse, 101 J. Neurosurgery: Pediatrics 44 (2004).
10) Elspeth H. Whitby et al., Frequency and Natural History of Subdural Haemorrhages in Babies and Relation to Obstetric
Factors, 363 Lancet 846 (2004).
Retrospective Case Series/Case Reports:
1) Deniz Altinok et al., MR Imaging Findings of Retinal Hemorrhage in a Case of Nonaccidental Trauma, 39 Pediatric Radiology
290 (2009).
2) James Barkovich et al., Perinatal Asphyxia: MR Findings in the First 10 Days, 16 Am. J. Neuroradiology 427 (1995).
3) Patrick D. Barnes et al., Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Accidental Versus Nonaccidental Injury, 15 Seminars Pediatric
Neurolology 178 (2008).
*626 4) Patrick D. Barnes & Caroline D. Robson, CT Findings in Hyperacute Nonaccidental Brain Injury, 30 Pediatric
Radiology 74 (2000).
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5) Christine Bonnier et al., Neuroimaging of Intraparenchymal Lesions Predicts Outcome in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 112
Pediatrics 808 (2003).
6) Soma Datta et al., Neuroradiological Aspects of Subdural Haemorrhages, 90 Archives Diseased Childhood 947 (2005).
7) David J. Dubowitz et al., MR of Hypoxic Encephalopathy in Children After Near Drowning: Correlation with Quantitative
Proton MR Spectroscopy and Clinical Outcome, 19 Am. J. Neuroradiology 1617 (1998).
8) Bradley R. Foerster et al., Neuroimaging Evaluation of Non-Accidental Head Trauma with Correlation to Clinical Outcomes:
A Review of 57 Cases, 154 J. Pediatrics 573 (2009).
9) M. Hurley et al., Is There a Causal Relationship Between the Hypoxia-Ischaemia Associated with Cardiorespiratory Arrest
and Subdural Haematomas? An Observational Study, 83 Brit. J. Radiology 736 (2010).
10) AnnaMarie O'Connell & Veronica B. Donoghue, Can Classic Metaphyseal Lesions Follow Uncomplicated Caesarean
Section?, 37 Pediatric Radiology 488 (2007).
11) Karim T. Rafaat et al., Cranial Computed Tomographic Findings in a Large Group of Children with Drowning: Diagnostic,
Prognostic, and Forensic Implications, 9 Pediatric Critical Care Med. 567 (2008).
12) L.T. Sie et al., MR Patterns of Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage After Prenatal, Perinatal or Postnatal Asphyxia, 31
Neuropediatrics 128 (2000).
13) Paul Steinbok et al., Early Hypodensity on Computed Tomographic Scan of the Brain in an Accidental Pediatric Head
Injury, 60 Neurosurgery 689 (2007).
14) Robert G. Wells et al., Intracranial Hemorrhage in Children Younger Than 3 Years: Prediction of Intent, 156 Archives
Pediatrics & Adolescent Med. 252 (2002).
15) Mina M. Zakhary et al., Prevalence and Etiology of Intracranial Hemorrhage in Term Children Under the Age of Two Years:
A Retrospective Study of Computerized Tomographic Imaging and Clinical Outcome in 798 Children, 16 Acad. Radiology
572 (2009).
*627 16) R. Zimmerman et al., Interhemispheric Acute SDH. A CT Manifestation of Child Abuse by Shaking, 16
Neuroradiology 39 (1979).
Reviews:
1) Timothy J. David, Non-Accidental Head Injury--The Evidence, 38 Pediatric Radiology 370 (Supp. 2008).
2) Sujan Fernando et al., Neuroimaging of Nonaccidental Head Trauma: Pitfalls and Controversies, 38 Pediatric Radiology
827 (2007).
3) Tim Jaspan, Current Controversies in the Interpretation of Non-Accidental Head Injury, 38 Pediatric Radiology 378 (Supp.
2008).
4) Yutaka Sato, Imaging of Nonaccidental Head Injury, 39 Pediatric Radiology 230 (Supp. 2009).
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*628 Appendix B
Differential Diagnosis of Subdural Hemorrhages:
Trauma
Inflicted/Abusive
Accidental
Birth
Metabolic Diseases
Glutaric Aciduria Type 1
Menke's Disease
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Nutritional deficiencies
Genetic Syndromes
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type II
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangectasia
Coagulopathies (Clotting Disorders)
Hemophilia
Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn
Tumors
Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Neuroblastoma
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Infections
HSV meningoencephalitis
Bacterial meningitis
*629 Appendix C
Differential Diagnosis of Retinal Hemorrhages:
Trauma
Inflicted/Abusive
Accidental
Birth
Metabolic Diseases
Glutaric Aciduria Type 1
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Nutritional deficiencies
Genetic Syndromes
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type II
Anemia
Coagulopathies (Clotting Disorders)
Hemophilia
Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Vasculitis
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Hypoxia/Hypo or Hypertension
Papilledema/Increased Intracranial Pressure
Tumors
Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Cerebral Aneurysm
Hemangioma
Infections
HSV meningoencephalitis
Bacterial meningitis
*630 FIGURES
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Fig. 1. Image of Auguste Ambroise Tardieu (1818-1879).
PD-1923. Image originally from Goupil et Cie, http:// www.biusante.parisdescartes.fr/histmed/image?
CIPC0155, available at http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AugusteAmbroseTardieu.jpg.
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Fig. 2. First page of Ambroise Tardieu's Etude medico- legale sur les sevices et mauvais traitements exerces sur des enfants
(Forensic study on cruelty and ill treatment of children), 1860. Reprinted from Ambroise Tardieu, Etude Medico-Legale sur les
Sevices et MauvaisTraitements Exerces sur des Enfants, 13 Annales D'hygiène Publique et de Médecine Légale 361-98 (1860))
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Fig. 3. Image of Wilfred Batten Lewis Trotter (1872-1939). Reproduced with permission © Godfrey Argent Studio.
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
*631 Fig. 4. Dr. C. Henry Kempe. Reprinted with permission of The Kempe Foundation for the Prevention and Treatment
of Child Abuse and Neglect.
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Fig 5. First page of The Battered-Child Syndrome. JAMA Vol.181 July 7, 1962, pp.17-24. Copyright © 1962 American Medical
Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from JAMA.
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A DAUBERT ANALYSIS OF ABUSIVE HEAD..., 11 Hous. J. Health L....
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Fig. 6. Human Eye Reprinted courtesy of http://lhsanatomy4.wikispaces.com
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Fig. 7. Normal Retina, demonstrating the area of the retina called the posterior pole: fovea and macula (within circles), optic
nerve (bright whitish appearing circle on left-hand side) and its head manifesting as a circular disc (optic disc), and retinal vessels
emanating from the optic nerve. Reprinted from Eye Disease Anatomy, Ref#: EDA06, Nat'l Eye Inst., http:// www.nei.nih.gov/
phot/eyedis/index.asp (circles added by author).
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
*632 Fig. 8. Mild nonspecific retinal hemorrhages confined to the posterior pole.
(Courtesy of Alex V. Levin, MD. MHSc, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia)
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Fig. 9. Severe retinal hemorrhages, too numerous to count, such that there is virtually no visible normal retina. (Courtesy of
Alex V. Levin, MD. MHSc, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia)
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
*633 Fig. 10. Macular traumatic retinoschisis. (Courtesy of Alex V. Levin, MD. MHSc, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia)
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Fig. 11. “Retinal hemorrhage in the AT and IHI groups. Although most cases of abuse were associated with severe hemorrhage,
seven had no hemorrhage, and three had only mild hemorrhages.” Matthieu Vinchon et al., Confessed Abuse Versus Witnessed
Accidents in Infants: Comparison of Clinical, Radiological, and Ophthalmological Data in Corroborated Cases, 26 Child's
Nervous Sys. 637, 641 fig.3 (2009). Conversely, no or mild RHs were found in 34 cases of AT, id. at 639, 641 fig.3, and only
“one had severe hemorrhage caused by direct facial impact.” Id. at 641 fig.3. (Figure reprinted with permission of publisher.)
*635 Please stay tuned for an academic response to A Daubert Analysis of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome
in volume 12 of this journal.
Footnotes
a1 I am indebted to many for their invaluable assistance in the creation of this document. However, some bear specific recognition. I
would specifically like to thank Dr. Betty Spivack, Dr. Chris Greeley, Dr. Alex Levin, Dr. Andy Sirotnak, Dr. Antonia Chiesa, and,
most importantly, my friend and mentor, Dr. Don Bross. This article is not only a brief synopsis and testament to the diagnostic genius
of our clinical forefathers (Tardieu, Trotter, Caffey, Silverman, Kempe, Guthkelch, and others), but is a salutation of respect and
admiration for ALL multidisciplinary colleagues throughout the country who continue to strive for safe, just and equitable outcomes
for abused children and their families.
1 This term was one of the earliest descriptive terms of Abusive Head Trauma coined by Dr. John Caffey (often referred to as the Father
of Pediatric Radiology). John Caffey, On the Theory and Practice of Shaking Infants. Its Potential Residual Effects of Permanent
Brain Damage and Mental Retardation, 124 Am. J. Diseases Child. 161, 161-69 (1972).
2 This is not to minimize the recent important shift towards more accurate terminology in describing this medical diagnosis. As noted
by one prominent author, “semantic choices play a large role in how concepts spread, are challenged, and evolve. Sometimes what
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we call something hinders our ability to observe all the available facts clearly and come to a more correct or more encompassing
understanding of a particular disease process.” See Ann-Christine Duhaime, Calling Things What They Are, 3 J. Neurosurgery:
Pediatrics 472, 472 (2009).
3 Al-Holou et al., Nonaccidental Head Injury in Children: Historical Vignette, 3 J. Neurosurgery Pediatrics 474, 474 (2009).
4 See Deborah Tuerkheimer, The Next Innocence Project: Shaken Baby Syndrome and the Criminal Courts, 87 Wash. U. L. Rev. 1,
1 (2009); see also Molly Gena, Shaken Baby Syndrome: Medical Uncertainty Casts Doubt on Convictions. 2007 Wis. L. Rev. 701,
718 (2007).
5 Emily Bazelon, Shaken-Baby Syndrome Faces New Questions in Court, N.Y. Times (Feb. 2, 2011), http://
www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/magazine/06baby-t.html?_r=1; Deborah Tuerkheimer, Anatomy of a Misdiagnosis, N.Y. Times (Sep
20, 2010), http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/opinion/21tuerkheimer.html? ref=opinion; Ari Shapiro, Foolproof Forensics? The
Jury is Still Out, NPR (Aug. 24, 2009). http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112111657.
6 See Cavazos v. Smith, 132 S. Ct. 2, 10 (2011) (per curiam) (Ginsburg, J., dissenting); State v. Edmunds, 746 N.W.2d 590, 596
(Wis. Ct. App. 2008) (granting the defendant/appellant a new trial on the basis defendant presented “newly discovered evidence”
of a “significant and legitimate debate in the medical community” regarding Shaken Baby Syndrome, which has emerged in the
past ten years); Order Determining Admissibility of Expert Testimony on AHT/SBS at 22-23, Commonwealth v. Davis, No. 04-
CR-205 (Ky. Cir. Ct., Apr. 17, 2006); Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 36 (citing State v. Hyatt, No. 06M7-CR00016-02, (Mo. Cir.
Ct Nov. 6, 2007) (“[T]he SBS diagnosis ‘appears to have gained considerable acceptance... among pediatricians. However, there is
substantial, persistent and continuing criticism of this diagnosis among many in the medical and scientific research communities.”’).
The American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Child Abuse and Neglect has recently issued a policy statement recommending
the use of a more accurate, and less mechanistically constricting, term of “Abusive Head Trauma.” See Cindy W. Christian et al.,
Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children, 123 Pediatrics 1409, 1410-11 (2009). Consequently, for the remainder of this article
I will refer to the concept of Shaken Baby Syndrome as “Abusive Head Trauma.”
7 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 22.
8 Id. at 11.
9 Id. at 12.
10 Id. at 12-13; see also Gena, supra note 4, at 720.
11 Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 14; see also Gena, supra note 4, at 710.
12 The American Academy of Pediatrics provides a general assessment of the topic, but its purpose was not intended to be a critical
analysis of the literature on the topic. American Academy of Pediatrics, Shaken Baby Syndrome: Rotational Cranial Injuries--
Technical Report, 108 Pediatrics 206, 206 (2001). One other article has been proffered, and frequently cited by opponents of Abusive
Head Trauma, to be a critical review of the literature on the topic. Mark Donohoe, Evidence-Based Medicine and Shaken Baby
Syndrome, 24 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 239, 239 (2003). A critical evaluation of that article will be conducted in detail
herein below.
13 Abusive Head Injury/Shaken Baby Syndrome entails a wide constellation of symptoms and injuries with varying degrees of severity.
The most common injuries associated with this diagnosis are intracranial hemorrhage (most commonly subdural or subarachnoid
hemorrhage) and retinal hemorrhages. See Antonia Chiesa & Ann-Christine Duhaime, Abusive Head Trauma, 56 Pediatric Clinics N.
Am. 317 (2009). While many other injuries are associated with this diagnosis, this paper will focus on the clinical medical literature
behind the most common injuries--subdural hemorrhage and retinal hemorrhages. A thorough examination of the literature behind
all the possible injuries and all potential causes (short falls, biomechanics of head injury, etc.) is simply too broad and beyond the
scope of this paper. For a more comprehensive examination of the literature on this topic, I would reference the reader to Lori Frasier
et al., Abusive Head Trauma in Infants & Children: A Medical, Legal, and Forensic Reference (2006). See also Lucy Rorke-Adams
et al., Head Trauma, in Child Abuse: Medical Diagnosis & Management 53 (Robert M. Reece & Cindy W. Christian eds. 2009).
14 Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013, 1014 (D.C. Cir. 1923).
15 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 589 (1993).
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16 Id.
17 Id. at 584-85.
18 Id. at 582.
19 Id.
20 Id. at 583.
21 Id. at 584-85.
22 Id. at 585.
23 Id. at 589; id. at 598 (Rehnquist, C.J., concurring in part and dissenting in part).
24 Id.
25 E.g. Beech Aircraft Corp. v. Rainey, 488 U.S. 153, 169 (1988).
26 Daubert, 509 U.S. at 588.
27 Id. at 594.
28 Id. at 589.
29 Id. at 589-90.
30 Id. at 590 n.9.
31 Id.
32 Id. at 593-94.
33 Id. at 593.
34 Id. at 594-95 (emphasis added).
35 Id. at 591.
36 Id. at 591-92 (emphasis added)
37 Gen. Elec. Co. v. Joiner, 522 U.S. 136, 138-39 (1997).
38 Id. at 141.
39 See Joe S. Cecil, Ten Years of Judicial Gatekeeping Under Daubert, 95 Am. J. Pub. Health s74, s75 (Supp. 2005).
40 Joiner, 522 U.S. at 139.
41 See Cecil, supra note 39, at s76.
42 Joiner, 522 U.S. at 146-47.
43 Id. at 146 (emphasis added).
44 Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 141 (1999).
45 Id. at 147.
46 Id. at 149.
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47 Id. at 151.
48 See id.
49 Id.
50 See id. at 152.
51 Id. at 150 (quoting Brief for United States as Amicus Curiae Supporting Petitioners at 19, Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S.
137 (1999)). Some legal scholars commented that the Court's decision in Kumho sought to rectify a bias in Daubert towards the “hard
sciences” which employ rigorous empirical methods. See Paul S. Milich, Controversial Science in the Courtroom 43 Emory L.J. 913,
917 (1994) (“Daubert... never mentions the psychological sciences, for example, where much of the data is subjective and many of
the theories are empirically difficult, if not impossible, to verify”); see also Ralph Underwager & Hollida Wakefield, A Paradigm
Shift for Expert Witnesses, Issues in Child Abuse Accusations, Summer 1993, http://ipt-forensics.com/journal/volume5/j5_3_2.htm
(“American psychiatry is, by and large, Freudian in its orientation” and “wherever Freudian theory has been subjected to empirical
tests, it has either failed, or, at best, been inconclusive as a predictor of human behavior.”). Yet psychiatry is a recognized science
readily integrated into and accepted by the criminal justice system when issues of mental competency arise.
52 Kumho, 526 U.S. at 152.
53 See Margret Berger, The Supreme Court's Trilogy on the Admissibility of Expert Testimony, in Fed. Judicial Ctr., Reference Manual
on Scientific Evidence 9, 21 (2d ed. 2000), www.fjc.gov/public/pdf.nsf/lookup/sciman00.pdf/$file/sciman00.pdf.
54 See Jerome Kassirer & Joe Cecil, Inconsistency in Evidentiary Standards for Medical Testimony: Disorder in the Courts, 288 JAMA
1382, 1383 (2002).
55 Fed. Judicial Ctr., Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, at v (2d ed. 2000) (quoting T.H. Huxley, The Crayfish: An Introduction
to the Study of Zoology 2 (1880)).
56 D. Allen Bromley, Science and the Law, Address at the 1998 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association (Aug. 2, 1998).
57 Stephen Breyer, Introduction, Fed. Judicial Ctr., Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence 2, 4 (2d ed. 2000), www.fjc.gov/public/
pdf.nsf/lookup/sciman00.pdf/$file/sciman00.pdf.
58 Id. at 3.
59 See id.
60 See id.
61 Id.
62 Dep't of Commerce v. U.S. House of Representatives, 525 U.S. 316, 320 (1999); Breyer, supra note 57, at 2.
63 Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346, 350 (1997); Breyer, supra note 57, at 3.
64 Washington v. Glucksberg, 521 U.S. 702, 722 (1997); Vacco v. Quill, 521 U.S. 793, 797 (1997); Breyer, supra note 57, at 3.
65 See The Law Comm'n, Consultation Paper 190, The Admissibility Of Expert Evidence in Criminal Proceedings in England and Wales:
A New Approach to the Determination of Evidentiary Reliability, P 2.8 n.6, P 2.28 (2009), www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/cp190.pdf
(discussing how M. Redmayne, in Expert Evidence and Criminal Justice, “summarizes research which suggests that as expert evidence
becomes more complicated, jurors shift their focus and rely on peripheral indicia of reliability”); see also id. at P 2.3 (citing Paul
Roberts & A.A.S. Zuckerman, Criminal Evidence 292-96 (2004)).
66 See U.S. v. Addison, 498 F.2d 741, 744 (1974) (The Court stated, “scientific proof may in some instances assume a posture of mystic
infallibility in the eyes of a jury of laymen”); see also John William Strong, Language and Logic in Expert Testimony, 71 Or. L.
Rev. 349, 367-68 n.81 (1992) (“There is virtual unanimity among courts and commentators that evidence perceived by jurors to be
‘scientific’ in nature will have particularly persuasive effect.”).
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67 See Stephen T. Goudge, Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology in Ontario 531 (Ontario Ministry of the Att'y Gen. 2008); see
also The Law Commission, Consultation Paper 190, supra note 65, at PP 2.14-2.22 (2009). (citing three recent AHT/SBS cases in
England and Wales where criminal convictions were obtained and subsequently overturned on appeal because of “flawed” scientific
evidence/testimony). But see Neil Vidmar & Shari Seidman Diamond, Juries and Expert Evidence, 66 Brooklyn L. Rev. 1121, 1179
(2001) ( “Empirical data do not support a view that juries are passive, too-credulous, incompetent, and overawed by the mystique
of the expert.”).
68 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 590 (1993) (second emphasis added).
69 Bert Black, A Unified Theory of Scientific Evidence, 56 Fordham L. Rev. 595, 599 (1988); see also Bert Black et al., Science and
the Law in the Wake of Daubert: A New Search for Scientific Knowledge, 72 Tex. L. Rev. 715, 753 (1994).
70 Clifton T. Hutchinson & Danny S. Ashby, Redefining the Bases of Admissibility of Expert Scientific Testimony, 15 Cardozo L.
Rev. 1875, 1886 (1994).
71 Breyer, supra note 57, at 4 (emphasis added).
72 See The Law Comm'n, supra note 65, at P 1.5.
73 Id. at 47.
74 Id. at 49-51.
75 Gen. Elec. Co. v. Joiner, 522 U.S. 136, 146 (1997).
76 See Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 600 (Rehnquist, C.J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). In response
to this concern, the Federal Judicial Center, the research and educational arm of the federal judicial system, has published a 1034-
page reference source (currently in its third edition) to help federal judges “manage cases involving complex scientific and technical
evidence.” See Federal Judicial Center, Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, at xv (3d ed. 2011), http:// www.fjc.gov/public/
pdf.nsf/lookup/SciMan3D01.pdf/$file/SciMan3D01.pdf. For other comprehensive references on the issues surrounding Science,
Law, and Expert testimony, see generally 1 Modern Scientific Evidence: The Law and Science of Expert Testimony (David L.
Faigman et al. eds., 1997); Expert Evidence: A Practitioner's Guide to Law, Science, and the FJC Manual (Bert Black & Patrick
W. Lee eds., 1997).
77 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 43 F.3d 1311, 1316 (9th Cir. 1995). However, trial judges have adapted to the heady
responsibility of the trilogy decisions by utilizing innovative case-management techniques, such as court-appointed independent
experts or court-appointed scientific panels, to assist with the comprehension of complex scientific information. Furthermore, public
and private organizations, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), have offered trial judges
the service of locating impartial, skilled experts at fee-for-service costs. See Court Appointed Scientific Experts, Am. Ass'n for the
Advancement of Sci., http:// www.aaas.org/spp/case/case.htm (last visited Oct. 21, 2011).
78 Sophia I. Gatowski et al., Asking the Gatekeepers: A National Survey of Judges on Judging Expert Evidence in a Post-Daubert World,
25 L. & Hum. Behav. 433, 442-47 (2001).
79 Id. at 444-45.
80 Id. at 443.
81 Id. at 452.
82 Kassirer & Cecil, supra note 54, at 1384. “This approach was urged by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit when
it reconsidered the Daubert case.” Id.
83 Id. (citing Jones v. United States, 933 F. Supp 894, 897 (N.D. Cal. 1996)).
84 Id. (citing Raynor v. Merrell Pharm. Inc., 104 F.3d 1371, 1375 (D.C. Cir 1997)).
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85 See Haggerty v. Upjohn Co, 950 F. Supp. 1160, 1165 (S.D. Fla. 1996); Hall v. Baxter Healthcare Corp, 947 F. Supp. 1387, 1411
(D. Or. 1996).
86 See Pick v. Am. Med. Sys., Inc., 958 F. Supp. 1151, 1160-62 (E.D. La. 1997); Glaser v. Thompson Med. Co., 32 F.3d 969, 975 (6th
Cir. 1994); Cella v. United States, 998 F.2d 418, 426 (7th Cir. 1993).
87 See Cecil, supra note 39, at s76 (citing Newman v. Motorola Inc., 218 F. Supp. 2d 769, 780-81 (D. Md. 2002); Amorgianos v. Nat'l
R.R. Passenger Corp., 137 F. Supp.2d 147, 189 (E.D.N.Y. 2001); Mitchell v. Gencorp Inc., 165 F.3d 778, 782 (10th Cir. 1999)).
88 See Cecil, supra note 39, at s75. This data is in contrast to one author's assertion of judicial deference to admissibility of testimony
on Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome. See Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 42-44.
89 See Cecil, supra note 39, at s75.
90 See Kassirer & Cecil, supra note 54, at 1382.
91 See Mary Sue Henifin et al., Reference Guide on Medical Testimony, in Fed. Judicial Ctr., Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence
439, 465 (2d ed., 2000), http://www.fjc.gov/public/pdf.nsf/lookup/sciman00.pdf/ $file/sciman00.pdf; see also Jerome Groopman,
How Doctors Think 7 (2007).
92 Mark B. McClellan et al., Evidence-Based Medicine and the Changing Nature of Health Care: 2007 IOM Annual Meeting Summary
94 (Nat'l Acad. of Scis. 2008).
93 Some prefer to refer to this as an “applied science” rather than an “art.” See Harriet Hall, The “Art” of Clinical Decision-Making,
Science-Based Medicine (May 13, 2008), http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/the-art-of-clinical-decision-making/.
94 See McClellan et al., supra note 92, at 94.
95 See Henifin et al., supra note 91, at 465.
96 See Groopman, supra note 91, at 37; see also Pat Croskerry, The Importance of Cognitive Errors in Diagnosis and Strategies to
Minimize Them, 78 Acad. Med. 775, 775 (2003); Pat Croskerry, Achieving Quality in Clinical Decision Making: Cognitive Strategies
and Detection of Bias, 9 Acad. Med. 1184, 1184 (2002).
97 Groopman, supra note 91, at 35-36, 39.
98 See Croskerry, The Importance, supra note 96, at 776; Croskerry, Achieving Quality, supra note 96, at 1184.
99 See About Us, The Cochrane Collaboration, http:// www.cochrane.org/about-us (last visited Jan. 24, 2012); Happy 35th Birthday,
MedLine!, U.S. Nat'l Library Med., http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/medline_35th_ birthday.html (last updated Oct. 23, 2006)
(showing the Medline database was founded in 1971).
100 See History of Systematic Reviews, EPPI-Centre, http:// eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/Default.aspx?tabid=68 (last visited, Jan. 24, 2012).
101 See id.
102 David Sackett, et al., Evidence Based Medicine: What It Is and What It Isn't: It's About Integrating Individual Clinical Expertise and
the Best External Evidence, 312 Brit. Med. J. 71, 71 (1996). The determination of what the “current best evidence” is in a given field
requires a critical evaluation of the relevant medical literature, utilizing statistical principles to assess the validity of studies and the
conclusions they reach. See id. at 72. We will discuss basic principles of statistical analysis herein below when we critically evaluate
the “current best evidence” in the field of Abusive Head Trauma. See also McClellan et al., supra note 92, at v.
103 McClellan et al., supra note 92, at v (emphasis added).
104 Id.
105 William W. Stead & John M. Starmer, Beyond Expert-Based Practice, in McClellan et al., supra note 92, at 94.
106 Id. at 94.
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107 Controversy exists between the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventive Services Task Force on breast cancer and
prostate cancer screening guidelines. For further review, the reader should examine the respective societies' websites.
108 See Kassirer & Cecil, supra note 54, at 1383.
109 Id.
110 Groopman, supra note 91, at 6.
111 George Santayana, The Life of Reason 284 (Charles Scribner's Sons 1905).
112 See Al-Holou et al., supra note 3, at 474.
113 Id. at 475 (citing Ambroise Tardieu, Etude Medico-Legale sur les Sevices et Mauvais Traitements Exerces sur des Enfants, 13 Annales
D'hygiène Publique et de Médecine Légale 361-98 (1860)).
114 Id.
115 Id. at 476.
116 Id. at 475.
117 Id.
118 Id.
119 Id. at 476.
120 Id.
121 Id.
122 Id.
123 Id.
124 Id. It is one learned scholar's opinion that use of this terminology constricted the open and comprehensive scientific evaluation of the
cause of such injuries in many of the earlier cases, resulting in probable misdiagnosis in many cases. See Duhaime, supra note 2, at 472.
125 Al-Holou et al., supra note 3, at 476.
126 Id.
127 Id. at 477.
128 Id. at 476; see also id. at 481 nn.7, 13, 482 nn.21, 34, 47, 61, 67, 483 nn.74, 86 (citing reports documenting the association of SDHs,
ophthalmic hemorrhages, and sometimes bone lesions in infants).
129 See Al-Holou et al., supra note 3, at 478.
130 Id. at 477-78.
131 Id. at 478.
132 Id. (citing Wilfred Trotter, Chronic Subdural Haemorrhage of Traumatic Origin, and Its Relation to Pachymeningitis Haemorrhagica
Interna, 2 Brit. J. Surgery, 271-91 (1914)).
133 Id. at 478.
134 Id. at 478 (citing Max. M. Peet & Edgar A. Kahn, Subdural Hematoma in Infants, 98 JAMA, 1851-56 (1932)).
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135 Id. at 478-79 (citing Franc D. Ingraham & Donald D. Matson, Subdural Hematoma in Infancy, 24 J. Pediatrics 1-37 (1944)).
136 Id. at 478 (citing Franc D. Ingraham & Henry L. Heyl, Subdural Hematoma in Infancy and Childhood, 112 JAMA. 198-204 (1939)).
137 See id.
138 As will be discussed herein below, this is not to say that these causes (infectious, nutritional, metabolic, etc.) are no longer considered
potential causes of SDHs, just that they are no longer considered the primary cause of SDHs. See id.
139 Id. at 479.
140 Al-Holou et al., supra note 3, at 479 (citing John Caffey, Multiple Fractures in the Long Bones of Infants Suffering from Chronic
Subdural Hematoma, 56 Am. J. Roentgenology 163-73 (1946)).
141 Paul K. Kleinman & Paul D. Barnes, Head Trauma, in Diagnostic Imaging of Child Abuse, 285, 297 (2d ed. 1998).
142 Al-Holou et al., supra note 3, at 479.
143 Id.
144 Kleinman & Barnes, supra note 141, at 297-98.
145 See Al-Holou et al., supra note 3, at 479 (citing F. Silverman, The Roentgen Manifestations of Unrecognized Skeletal Trauma in
Infants, 69 Am. J. Roentgenology Radium Therapy Nuclear Med. 413-27 (1953)).
146 Id.
147 Kleinman & Barnes, supra note 141, at 298 (citing F. Burke, et al., Traumatic Periostitis and Subdural Hematoma, 12 Clinical Procs.
Child. Hosp., D.C. 240-46 (1956); P. Josserand et al., Un Nouveau Cas D'Hematome Sous-Dural Associe a des Fractures de Membres
Chez un Nourrisson, 15 Pediatrie 647-59 (1960); G. Kinley, et al., Subdural Hematoma, Hygroma, and Hydroma in Infants, 38 J.
Pediatrics 667-86 (1951); M.R. Klein, L'Hematome Sous-Dural Du Nourrisson, 21 Archives Francaises de Pediatrie 425-40 (1964);
G. Lazorthes, et al., Les Epanchements Sous-Duraux Du Nourrisson: Discussion Etiopathogenique a Propos de 59 Cas, 71 Presse
Med. 1903-05 (1963); M. Lelong et al., L'Hematome Sous-Dural Chronique du Nourrisson, 12 Archives Francaises de Pediatrie
1037-84 (1955); E.F. Lis & G.S. Frauenberger, Multiple Fractures Associated With Subdural Hematoma in Infancy, 6 Pediatrics
890-92 (1950); J. Meneghello & J. Hasbun, Hematoma Subdural y Fractura de los Huesos Largos, 22 Revista Chilena de Pediatria
80-83 (1951); N. Neimann et al., Les Enfants Victimes de Services, 23 Pediatrie 861-75 (1968); M.J. Smith, Subdural Hematoma
with Multiple Fractures: Case Report, 63 Am. J. Roentgenology 342-44 (1950)).
148 See Henry Kempe et al., The Battered-Child Syndrome, 9 Child Abuse & Neglect 143, 144 (1985).
149 See id. at 143.
150 Id.
151 Id.
152 See Al-Holou et al., supra note 3, at 480.
153 Id. at 478-80 (citing A.N. Guthkelch, Infantile Subdural Haematoma and its Relationship to Whiplash Injuries, 2 Brit. Med. J. 430,
430-31 (1971); A.K. Ommaya et al., Whiplash Injury and Brain Damage: An Experimental Study, 204 JAMA 285, 285-89 (1968);
A.K. Ommaya & A.E. Hirsch, Tolerances for Cerebral Concussion from Head Impact and Whiplash in Primates, 4 J. Biomechanics
13, 13-21 (1971); A.K. Ommaya & P. Yarnell, Subdural Haematoma After Whiplash Injury, 2 LANCET 237, 237-39 (1969)).
154 Id. at 480.
155 Id. (quoting A.N. Guthkelch, Infantile Subdural Hematoma and Its Relationship to Whiplash Injuries, 2 Brit. Med. J. 430, 430-31
(1971)).
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156 Id. (citing J. Caffey, On the Theory and Practice of Shaking Infants. Its Potential Residual Effects of Permanent Brain Damage and
Mental Retardation, 124 Am. J. Diseases Child. 161-69 (1972); J. Caffey, The Parent-Infant Traumatic Stress Syndrome; (Caffey-
Kempe Syndrome), (Battered Babe Syndrome), 114 Am. J. Roentgenology Radium Therapy Nuclear Med. 218-29 (1972); J. Caffey,
The Whiplash Shaken Infant Syndrome: Manual Shaking by the Extremities With Whiplash-Induced Intracranial and Intraocular
Bleedings, Linked With Residual Permanent Brain Damage and Mental Retardation, 54 Pediatrics 396-403 (1974)).
157 See Kleinman & Barnes, supra note 141, at 298.
158 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 1, 12.
159 Id. at 11.
160 Id. at 12.
161 Id. at 12-13 (quoting Donohoe, Evidence-Based Medicine, supra note 12); see also Gena, supra note 4, at 710-14 (quoting Donohoe).
162 Id. at 14; see also Gena, supra note 4, at 710.
163 David H. Kaye & David A. Freedman, Reference Guide on Statistics, in Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence 83, 85 (2nd ed.
2000), http://www.fjc.gov/public/pdf.nsf/lookup/sciman02.pdf/$file/sciman02.pdf.
164 For a more detailed analysis of statistics and the law, see Panel on Statistical Assessments as Evidence in the Courts, National
Research Council, The Evolving Role of Statistical Assessments as Evidence in the Courts (Stephen E. Fienberg ed., 1989); Michael
O. Finkelstein & Bruce Levin, Statistics for Lawyers (2d ed. 2001).
165 Kaye & Freedman, supra note 163, at 90.
166 Id.
167 Id. at 91 (“‘Anecdotal evidence’ means reports of one kind of event after following another.” But, such reports are often chosen
“haphazardly or selectively,” and do not “demonstrate that the first event causes the second.”).
168 See id. at 90-91.
169 Id.; see also Haggerty v. Upjohn Co., 950 F. Supp. 1160, 1163-64 (S.D. Fla. 1996) (discussing the use of anecdotal case reports to
generate hypotheses about causation).
170 Kaye & Freedman, supra note 163, at 91. As described below, observational studies are susceptible to “confounding variables” and
bias. See id. at 92. Bias can take many forms (selection, observation, recall, and reporting, to name a few), and can affect both
observational and experimental studies.
171 See id. at 91.
172 See Glossary, BMJ, http:// clinicalevidence.bmj.com/ceweb/resources/glossary.jsp (last visited Nov. 17, 2011) (defining “case control
study” and “observational studies”).
173 See id.
174 Kaye & Freedman, supra note 163, at 92.
175 Id.
176 Id.
177 Id.
178 Id. at 93.
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179 Id. The analytical procedure most commonly used in statistics to control for confounding in observational studies is regression
analysis. See id. at 94 n.31.
180 Id. at 94.
181 Id. at 95. For example, the evidence that smoking causes lung cancer is largely observational, but still very compelling. Id.
182 Id. at 94.
183 Id. at 96.
184 Id. at 96.
185 Id. at 102.
186 See generally Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society (IHS), The International Classification
of Headache Disorders (2d ed., 1st rev. 2005), http://216.25.88.43/upload/CT_ Clas/ICHD-IIR1final.pdf.
187 See id. at 28.
188 Whereas RCTs are not optimal for diagnostic studies, they are the study of choice for assessing therapies. See Jan P. Vandenbroucke,
Observational Research, Randomised Trials, and Two Views of Medical Science, 5 PLoS Med. 0339, 0340 (2008) (“Randomised
controlled trials are rarely used for research to detect or to establish causes of disease, mainly because randomisation is most of the
time impossible, but quite fortunately, randomisation is most of the time not needed.”); see also Alvan R. Feinstein & Ralph I. Horwitz,
Problems in the “Evidence” of “Evidence-Based Medicine,” 103 Am. J. Med. 529, 529 (1997) (“Randomized trial information is
also seldom available for issues in etiology, diagnosis, and prognosis....”).
189 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 12 nn.65, 67-70; Gena, supra note 4, at 706 n.56.
190 See generally Donohoe, supra note 12.
191 Id. at 239-40.
192 Id. at 240.
193 Id.
194 Id.
195 Id. at 241 (emphasis added); see also Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 12, 32.
196 See Donohoe, supra note 12, at 241.
197 Id.
198 See id. at 240.
199 In fact, in the article itself, the author admits missing what he himself considers an “important” study by Jayawant et al. using his
own search criteria. See id. at 240.
200 See Donohoe, supra note 12, at 240-41.
201 Id. at 239-41.
202 See Cavazos v. Smith, 132 S. Ct. 2, 10 (2011) (per curiam) (Ginsburg, J., dissenting). See generally Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at
12 & n.70 (citing evidentiary hearing testimony of Patrick Barnes in State v. Edmunds, 746 N.W.2d 590 (Wis. Ct. App. 2008));
Gena, supra note 4, at 727.
203 See Kaye & Freedman, supra note 163, at 115.
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204 Id.
205 Id.
206 Id. at 116. While posterior probabilities, the applicability of the statistical models, and regression analysis are other important
considerations, for the limited purposes of this article, we will focus on precision of data and statistical significance. For a more
detailed discussion of the topic, I would guide the reader to Kaye & Freedman, supra note 163, at 116-78.
207 Id. at 117.
208 Id. at 115 n.107. The “mean” of data is the average of the data. Id. at 114 n.102.
209 Id. at 118.
210 Id. at 174.
211 Id.
212 See id. at 118, 174.
213 Id. at 118.
214 Id. at 118-19.
215 Id. at 118.
216 Id. at 119 (footnotes omitted).
217 Id. at 168.
218 See id. at 122.
219 See id. at 168. See also id. at 124 n.142 (quoting Waisome v. Port Auth. N.Y. & N.J., 948 F.2d 1370, 1376 (2d Cir. 1991) (“Social
scientists consider a finding of two standard deviations significant, meaning there is about one chance in 20 that the explanation for a
deviation could be random....”); Rivera v. City of Wichita Falls, 665 F.2d 531, 545 n.22 (5th Cir. 1982) (“A variation of two standard
deviations would indicate that the probability of the observed outcome occurring purely by chance would be approximately five out
of 100; that is, it could be said with a 95% certainty that the outcome was not merely a fluke.”)).
220 Kay & Freedman, supra note 163, at 168. Computing the p-value requires statistical experience and is reserved for those with
expertise in statistics and epidemiology. See id. at 87, 123. Incidentally, some statisticians point out that a determination of “statistical
significance” is not as important as understanding how analysts developed their models. See id. at 128. For example:
If enough comparisons are made, random error almost guarantees that some will yield “significant” findings, even when there is no
real effect. Consider the problem of deciding whether a coin is biased. The probability that a fair coin will produce ten heads when
tossed ten times is (1/2) 10 = 1/1,024. Observing ten heads in the first ten tosses, therefore, would be strong evidence that the coin is
biased. Nevertheless, if a fair coin is tossed a few thousand times, it is likely that at least one string of ten consecutive heads will appear.
Id. at 127; see also id. at 124, n.140; (citing John C. Bailar III & Frederick Mosteller, Guidelines for Statistical Reporting in Articles
for Medical Journals: Amplifications and Explanations, in Medical Uses of Statistics, (2d ed. 1992) (“Merely labeling results as
‘significant’ or ‘not significant’ without providing the underlying information that goes into this conclusion is of limited value.”).
221 Kay & Freedman, supra note 163, at 122.
222 Id. at 172.
223 See id.
224 Id. at 173. A test with high specificity for a condition will have a low rate of false positives. See id. at 172-73
225 See id. at 173.
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226 Finkelstein & Levin, supra note 164, at 82.
227 See id.
228 Penny F. Whiting et al., Graphical Presentation of Diagnostic Information, BMC Med. Research Methodology, tbl.1 (Apr. 11 2008),
http:// www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2288-8-20.pdf; see also, Finkelstein & Levin, supra note 164, at 83.
229 Stats: What is an Odds Ratio?, Children's Mercy, http:// www.childrens-mercy.org/stats/definitions/or.htm (last visited July 8, 2011).
230 Kaye & Freedman, supra note 163, at 167.
231 See id.
232 See Donohoe, supra note 12, at 241; see also Tuerkheimer, supra note 4; Gena, supra note 4 (authors who have just “reified” Donohoe's
assertions).
233 This abbreviated bibliography is focused primarily on the literature in the past twelve years, as assertions have been made that there
has been a “shifted consensus” in the medical community against the legitimacy of the Abusive Head Trauma diagnosis, which is
predicated upon “new research.” See Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 15-29.
234 For a completely comprehensive review of the topic, I would reference the reader to a review of the treatises on the topic (listed
herein below in notes 235 & 236) as a starting point, with a subsequent search of the Medline database using broad search terms
such as “subdural hemorrhage” or “retinal hemorrhage,” with appropriately limiting criteria (i.e., including only children, excluding
comments/editorials etc.). Assistance from a medical librarian may be required.
235 See Am. Acad. of Pediatrics, Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma: Proceedings of a Conference Sponsored by Department of Health and
Human Services, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Office of Rare Disease,
and National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (Robert M. Reece & Carol E. Nicholson eds., 2003); Frasier et al., supra
note 13.
236 See Child Abuse and Neglect: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Evidence 35-38, 347-457 (Carole Jenny ed., 2010) (chapters 6, 39-48);
Suzanne Starling, Head Injury in Child Maltreatment: A Clinical Guide and Photographic Reference 37 (Angelo P. Giardino &
Randell Alexander eds., 2003); Kleinman & Barnes, supra note 141; Rorke-Adams et al., supra note 13.
237 In coming to this safe estimation, this author conducted an all language literature search of the Medline database from 1970 to March
2010, using over 15 different keywords/phrases (to include, but not limited to, “shaken baby syndrome,” “shaken infant syndrome,”
“inflicted neurotrauma,” “nonaccidental trauma,” “subdural hemorrhage,” “subarachnoid hemorrhage,” and “retinal hemorrhage”).
All meta-analyses, practice guidelines, randomized control trials, case reports, comparative studies, controlled clinical trials, historical
or classical articles, multicenter studies and technical reports in children under eighteen years of age were included. All reviews,
comments, editorials, letters, and news articles were excluded. The restricted searches to the search terms “subdural hemorrhages” and
“retinal hemorrhages” by themselves produced over 1000 abstracts and over 500 abstracts, respectively. This author then reviewed
over 1000 abstracts from the above searches to gauge applicability to the topic of Abusive Head Trauma, and safely determined that
at least 700 articles were pertinent to the topic. Additionally, given the non-comprehensive nature of the search (i.e., the limitation
to one database and a non-exhaustive list of keywords/phrases), this author was able to safely conclude that the above-stated number
of studies was an underestimate.
238 The different nationalities publishing on this topic include: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
239 See infra Appendix A.
240 See Donohoe, supra note 12, at 240-41.
241 See Rorke-Adams et al., supra note 13, at 61.
242 Id.
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243 Id. at 64.
244 Id. at 65 tbl.2.2, 81-84.
245 Id. at 61, 63-64.
246 See, e.g., C. Hobbs et al., Subdural Haematoma and Effusion in Infancy: An Epidemiological Study, 90 Archives Disease Childhood
952, 954.
247 Id. at 952-53.
248 Id. at 953 tbl.2. “Underdetermined cause” combines Hobbs' “Perinatal” and “Undetermined” categories, and “Traumatic SDHs”
combines Hobbs' “Accident” and “Abuse” categories. See id.
249 Id.
250 See S. Jayawant et al., Subdural Haemorrhages in Infants: Population Based Study, 317 Brit. Med. J. 1558, 1559, 1561 (1998);
Victoria Trenchs et al., Subdural Haematomas and Physical Abuse in the First Two Years of Life, 43 Pediatric Neurosurgery 352,
352-53, 356 (2007); Dimitra Tzioumi & R. Kim Oates, Subdural Hematomas in Children Under 2 Years. Accidental or Inflicted? A
10-Year Experience, 22 Child Abuse & Neglect 1105, 1106-07 (1998).
251 Kenneth W. Feldman et al., The Cause of Infant and Toddler Subdural Hemorrhage: A Prospective Study, 108 Pediatrics 636, 638
(2001) (source also located in Appendix A, “General” literature, prospective article #14).
252 Id. at 637.
253 Id. at 637-38.
254 Id. at 638 tbl.2.
255 E.g., Jakob Matschke et al., Nonaccidental Head Injury is the Most Common Cause of Subdural Bleeding in Infants < 1 Year of Age,
124 Pediatrics 1587, 1594 (2009) (source also located in Appendix A, “Pathology” literature, retrospective article #20).
256 Id. at 1588.
257 Id. at 1589.
258 Id.
259 Id.
260 Id. at 1594.
261 As discussed in the statistics section above, the term “specific” in this context is used with regards to its statistical definition; meaning
that it is a condition/injury that can produce some false positives with regards to AHT. See Kaye & Freedman, supra note 163, at
173 (definition of specificity).
262 E.g., A.C. Duhaime et al., Head Injury in Very Young Children: Mechanisms, Injury Types, and Ophthalmologic Findings in 100
Hospitalized Patients Younger than 2 Years of Age, 90 Pediatrics 179, 183 (1992) (source also located in Appendix A, “General”
literature, prospective article #10).
263 Id. at 179, 181.
264 Id. at 179.
265 See id. at 179-80, 184.
266 Id. at 180.
267 See id. at 181
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268 Id. at 183.
269 See id. at 184. Recall the general statistical principles section above: p-value is essentially the likelihood the result is due to chance.
270 Id. at 181, 184.
271 See Kirsten Bechtel, et al., Characteristics that Distinguish Accidental from Abusive Injury in Hospitalized Young Children with
Head Trauma, 114 Pediatrics 165, 165, 168 (2004) (source also located in Appendix A, “General” literature, prospective article #5).
272 Id. at 166.
273 Id. at 166 tbl.1.
274 See id.
275 Id. at 166.
276 Id. at 167, tbl.3.
277 Id.
278 See id.
279 See id.
280 See Matthieu Vinchon et al., Confessed Abuse Versus Witnessed Accidents in Infants: Comparison of Clinical, Radiological, and
Ophthalmological Data in Corroborated Cases, 26 Child's Nervous Sys. 637, 638-39 (2010) (source also located in Appendix A,
“General” literature, prospective article #23).
281 Id. Confessions were obtained from judicial sources. Id. at 638.
282 Id. at 641 tbl.2.
283 Id.
284 See id. at 639, 641 tbl.2.
285 See Linda Ewing-Cobbs, et al., Neuroimaging, Physical, and Developmental Findings after Inflicted and Noninflicted Traumatic
Brain Injury in Young Children, 102 Pediatrics 300, 300 (1998); Carla DiScala, et al., Child Abuse and Unintentional Injuries, 154
Archives Pediatrics & Adolescent Med. 16, 16 (2000); Kent P. Hymel et al., Head Injury Depth as an Indicator of Causes and
Mechanisms, 125 Pediatrics 712, 715-18 (2010) [hereinafter Hymel et al., Head Injury Depth]; Kent P. Hymel et al., Mechanisms,
Clinical Presentations, Injuries, and Outcomes from Inflicted Versus Noninflicted Head Trauma during Infancy: Results of a
Prospective, Multicentered, Comparative Study, 119 Pediatrics 922, 922 (2007) [hereinafter Hymel et al., Mechanisms]; Heather T.
Keenan et al., A Population-Based Comparison of Clinical Outcome Characteristics of Young Children with Serious Inflicted and
Noninflicted Traumatic Brain Injury, 114 Pediatrics 633, 633 (2004); Mark W. Morris et al., Evaluation of Infants with Subdural
Hematoma who Lack External Evidence of Abuse, 105 Pediatrics 549, 549 (2000); M.C. Myhre et al., Traumatic Head Injury
in Infants and Toddlers, 96 Acta Paediatrica 1159, 1159 (2007); Robert M. Reece & Robert Sege, Childhood Head Injuries, 154
Archives Pediatrics & Adolescent Med. 11, 11 (2000); Shervin R. Dashti et al., Current Patterns of Inflicted Head Injury in Children,
31 Pediatric Neurosurgery 302, 302 (1999); Matthieu Vinchon et al., Accidental and Nonaccidental Head Injuries in Infants: A
Prospective Study, 102 J. Neurosurgery: Pediatrics 380, 380-81 (2005) (sources also referenced in Appendix A, “General” literature,
prospective articles #12, 18, 19 & 21; retrospective articles # 12, 27, 28, & 32; “Neurosurgery” literature, prospective article #3 and
retrospective article #5).
286 Robert G. Wells et al., Intracranial Hemorrhage in Children Younger than 3 Years, 156 Archives Pediatrics & Adolescent Med. 252,
253, 254 tbl.2 (2002) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “Radiology” literature, retrospective article #14).
287 Id. at 253.
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288 Id.
289 Id.
290 Id.
291 Id. at 254 tbls.1 & 2.
292 Id. at 255.
293 See id. at 255 & tbl.3.
294 See S. Datta et al., Neuroradiological Aspects of Subdural Haemorrhages, Archives Disease Childhood 947, 948, 950 (2005); Hymel
et al., Mechanisms, supra note 285, at 928. But see Glenn A. Tung et al., Comparison of Accidental and Nonaccidental Traumatic
Head Injury in Children on Noncontrast Computed Tomography, 118 Pediatrics 626, 632 (2006) (showing authors did not find a
significant statistical association with interhemispheric SDHs and non-accidental trauma) (source also referenced in Appendix A,
“Radiology” literature, comparative article #8).
295 Datta et al., supra note 294, at 947-48.
296 Alex V. Levin, Retinal Hemorrhages: Advances in Understanding, 56 Pediatric Clinics N. Am. 333, 335 (2009) (source also
referenced in Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, review article #5).
297 Id.
298 Id.
299 Id.
300 Id.
301 See id. at 338.
302 Id. at 335.
303 Id. at 333, 341.
304 Id. at 335.
305 Id.
306 Id.
307 Id.
308 Id. at 335-36; see Gregg T. Lueder et al., Perimacular Retinal Folds Simulating Nonaccidental Injury in an Infant, 124 Archives
Ophthalmology 1782, 1782-83 (2006) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, retrospective article
#22); P.E. Lantz et al., Perimacular Retinal Folds from Childhood Head Trauma, 328 Brit Med. J. 754, 754 (2004) (source also
referenced in Appendix A, “Pathology” literature, retrospective article #16); Ajay Bhatnagar et al., Subinternal Limiting Membrane
Hemorrhage with Perimacular Fold in Leukemia, 127 Archives Ophthalmology 1548, 1548 (2009) (source also referenced in
Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, retrospective article #4); JD Kivlin et al., Retinal Hemorrhages in Children Following Fatal
Motor Vehicle Crashes: A Case Series, 126 Archives Ophthalmology 800, 800-01 (2008) (source also referenced in Appendix A,
“Ophthalmology” literature, retrospective article #18).
309 See, Levin, supra note 296, at 334 box1.
310 Id. at 333, 335.
311 See Levin, supra note 296, at 337.
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312 See M. Vaughn Emerson et al., Incidence and Rate of Disappearance of Retinal Hemorrhage in Newborns, 108 Ophthalmology 36,
36 (2001); Lindsey A. Hughes et al., Incidence, Distribution, and Duration of Birth-Related Retinal Hemorrhages: A Prospective
Study, 10 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus 102, 102 (2006) (sources also referenced in Appendix A,
“Ophthalmology” literature, prospective articles #6 & #13).
313 See Emerson et al., supra note 312, at 36.
314 Id. at 37.
315 Id. at 38. There are rare cases of birth-related RHs lasting until six to eight weeks of life. See id. There has been no documentation
of birth related RHs outside of eight weeks (two months) of life. See id.; Hughes et al., supra note 312, at 106.
316 Id. at 39.
317 See Levin, supra note 296, at 334 box1.
318 Id. at 337.
319 Id.
320 See James C. Fackler et al., Retinal Hemorrhages in Newborn Piglets Following Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 146 Am. J. Diseases
Children 1294, 1295 (1992); M.G.F. Gilliland & Martha Waters Luckenbach, Are Retinal Hemorrhages Found After Resuscitation
Attempts? A Study of the Eyes of 169 Children, 14 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 187, 189 (1993); Amy Odom et al., Prevalence
of Retinal Hemorrhages in Pediatric Patients After In-hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Prospective Study, 99 Pediatrics,
at *4 (June 2007) (sources also referenced in Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, controlled study #2 & prospective articles
#7 & #16).
321 See Odom et al., supra note 320, at *2.
322 Id.
323 Id. at *4.
324 Id. at *1.
325 Id. at *1, *4.
326 See id. at *3-*4.
327 See A.I. Curcoy et al., Do Retinal Haemorrhages Occur in Infants with Convulsions?, 94 Archives Disease Childhood 873, 874
(2009) (seizures); Michael Goldman et al., Severe Cough and Retinal Hemorrhage in Infants and Young Children, 148 J. Pediatrics
835, 836 (2006) (coughing); Sandra Herr et al., Does Valsalva Retinopathy Occur in Infants? An Initial Investigation in Infants with
Vomiting Caused by Pyloric Stenosis, 113 Pediatrics 1658, 1660 (2004) (vomiting); M. Mei-Zahav et al., Convulsions and Retinal
Haemorrhage: Should We Look Further? 86 Archives Disease Childhood 334, 334-35 (2002) (convulsions); S. Sandramouli et al.,
Retinal Hemorrhages and Convulsions, 76 Archives Disease Childhood 449, 449-50 (1997) (seizures) Ajai K. Tyagi et al., Can
Convulsions Alone Cause Retinal Haemorrhages in Infants? 82 Brit. J. Ophthalmology 659, 659-60 (1998) (seizures); (sources also
referenced in Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, prospective articles #5, 11, 12, 15, 19, & 23). One other mechanism of retinal
hemorrhaging occasionally mentioned is Purtscher's Syndrome. Levin, supra note 296, at 337. Purtscher's syndrome is the presence
of certain characteristically-patterned RHs (hexagonal with white patches) that occur in adults that suffer severe crush chest injury.
Id. The particular characteristically-patterned RHs (Purtscher's retinopathy) are rarely seen in AHT and are most likely the result of
infarction, fat emboli from broken bones, or inflammation-mediated change. Id.
328 See Susan Schloff et al., Retinal Findings in Children with Intracranial Hemorrhage, 109 Ophthalmology 1472, 1472 (2002) (source
also referenced in Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, prospective article #20).
329 Id. at 1473.
330 Id. at 1473 tbl.1.
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331 Id. at 1473.
332 Id. at 1472.
333 Id.
334 Id. at 1473-74.
335 See Yair Morad et al., Correlation Between Retinal Abnormalities and Intracranial Abnormalities in the Shaken Baby Syndrome,
134 Am. J. Ophthalmology 354, 355-56 (2002); (source also referenced in Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, retrospective
article #30).
336 See Levin, supra note 296, at 338.
337 See Yvonne M. Buys et al., Retinal Findings After Head Trauma in Infants and Young Children, 99 Ophthalmology 1718, 1720
(1992); Cindy W. Christian et al., Retinal Hemorrhages Caused by Accidental Household Trauma, 135 J. Pediatrics 125, 127 (1999);
Dennis L. Johnson et al., Accidental Head Trauma and Retinal Hemorrhage, 33 Neurosurgery 231, 231-32 (1993); V. Trenchs et
al., Retinal Haemorrhages in Head Trauma Resulting from Falls: Differential Diagnosis with Non-Accidental Trauma in Patients
Younger than 2 Years of Age, 24 Child's Nervous Sys. 815, 817 (2008); V. Sturm et al., Rare Retinal Haemorrhages in Translational
Accidental Head Trauma in Children, 23 Eye 1535, 1540 (2009); Kivlin et al., supra note 308, at 803 (sources also referenced in
Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, prospective articles #3, 14, & 22; retrospective articles #8, 18, & 36). In the rare instances
when RHs were present, there were only a few preretinal or intraretinal RHs confined to the posterior pole. See, e.g., Cindy W.
Christian et al., Retinal Hemorrhages Caused by Accidental Household Trauma, 135 J. Pediatrics 125, 125-27 (1999).
338 See Levin, supra note 296, at 338.
339 Id.
340 Id.
341 Id.
342 See id. at 341.
343 See Vinchon et al., supra note 285, at 380.
344 Id. 380-81.
345 Id. at 381.
346 Id.
347 Id. at 382.
348 Id.
349 See Vinchon et al., supra note 280, at 637-38, 644.
350 See id. at 637-38.
351 Id. at 641 tbl.2.
352 Id.
353 Id.
354 Id. at 640 tbl.1.
355 Id. at 642 tbl.4.
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356 Id. at 642 tbl.4, 643.
357 Id. at 644.
358 See Vincent Pierre-Kahn et al., Ophthalmologic Findings in Suspected Child Abuse Victims with Subdural Hematomas, 110
Ophthalmology 1718, 1720 (2003) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “Ophthalmology” literature, prospective article #17);
Bechtel et al., supra note 271, 166-67; Reece & Sege, supra note 285, at 13-14.
359 See Gaurav Bhardwaj et al., A Systematic Review of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Ocular Signs in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma,
117 Ophthalmology 983, 987 tbl.1 (2010) (presenting results of Riffenburgh study) (Bhardwaj source also referenced in Appendix
A, “Ophthalmology” literature, systematic review #2; Riffenburgh source also referenced in Appendix A, “Pathology” literature,
controlled study #7).
360 Id.
361 Id.
362 See id.; infra Part II.B.1.b.
363 See, e.g., Aaron M. Gleckman et al., Optic Nerve Damage in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 124 Archives Pathology & Laboratory Med.
251, 252 tbl., 255 (2000) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “Pathology” literature, controlled study #4); Donald L. Budenz et
al., Ocular and Optic Nerve Hemorrhages in Abused Infants with Intracranial Injuries, 101 Ophthalmology 559, 561 (1994) (source
also referenced in Appendix A, “Pathology” literature, controlled study #2); Gilliland & Luckenbach, supra note 320, at 191.
364 See S. Maguire, Which Clinical Features Distinguish Inflicted from Non-Inflicted Brain Injury? A Systematic Review, 94 Archives
Disease Childhood 860, 860 (2009) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “General” literature, systematic review article #4).
365 Id. at 861, 864 fig.1.
366 Id. at 863-64.
367 Id. at 861.
368 Id.
369 Id. at 865.
370 Id.; see Maguire et al., supra note 364, at 865.
371 Bhardwaj et al., supra not 359, at 984.
372 Id.
373 Id.
374 Bhardwaj, supra note 359, at 991. “Level I evidence provides strong support for a statement, and is usually composed of well-
performed, randomized controlled-trials or meta-analyses of randomized controlled-trials. Level II evidence provides substantial
support for the statement... [and] usually includes observational studies, such as cohort studies and case control studies. Level III
indicates a weak body of evidence relying on consensus statements, small noncomparative case series, and individual case reports.”
Id. at 984; see also Alex V. Levin et al., Clinical Report: The Eye Examination in the Evaluation of Child Abuse, 126 Pediatrics
376, 376-77 (2010) (discussing use of intraocular hemorrhage diagnoses in assessing AHT) (source also referenced in Appendix A,
“Ophthalmology” literature, systematic review #4).
375 See Bhardwaj, supra note 359, at 990-91.
376 See J. Haviland & R.I. Ross Russell, Outcome After Severe Non-Accidental Head Injury, 77 Archives Disease Childhood 504, 504-05
(1997) (source also found in Appendix A, “General” literature, comparative study #16).
377 Id. at 505.
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378 Id.
379 Id. At discharge nine AHT survivors were deemed severe, three fell in the moderate category, and one patient was normal. Id. at
506 tbl.3.
380 Id. at 505.
381 Id. at 505, 506 tbl.4. The article presents conflicting data. The body of the article only accounts for eight of the nine survivors, stating
six of the survivors were deemed normal at discharge. Id. at 505. Because the percentages stated on page 505 do not add up 100%, I
relied on Table 4 data, which showed seven survivors had a normal status at discharge. See id. at 505, 506 tbl.4.
382 See id.
383 See Heather T. Keenan et al., Neurodevelopmental Consequences of Early Traumatic Brain Injury in 3-Year-Old Children, 119
Pediatrics e616, e619-e620 (2007) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “General” literature, controlled study #5); Matthieu
Vinchon et al., Infantile Traumatic Subdural Hematomas: Outcome after Five Years, 39 Pediatric Neurosurgery 122, 124-25 (2003)
(source also referenced in Appendix A, “Neurosurgery” literature, prospective study #4); Linda Ewing-Cobbs et al., Late Intellectual
and Academic Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury Sustained During Early Childhood, 105 J. Neurosurgery: Pediatrics
287 (2006), http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2615233/pdf/nihms23194.pdf (source also referenced in Appendix A,
“General” literature, comparative studies #11); Hymel et al., Mechanisms, supra note 285, at 924-25, 927 tbl.4; Vinchon et al., supra
note 280, at 641 tbl.3; Ewing-Cobbs et al., supra note 285, at 303-04.
384 Joeli Hettler & David S. Greenes, Can the Initial History Predict Whether a Child with a Head Injury has been Abused?, 111 Pediatrics
602, 602 (2003) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “General” literature, retrospective article #17).
385 Id.
386 Id.
387 Id. at 603.
388 Id. at 602, 605 tbl.4.
389 Id. at 604.
390 Duhaime et al., supra note 262, at 184; see Heather T. Keenan et al., Child Outcomes and Family Characteristics 1 Year After Severe
Inflicted or Noninflicted Traumatic Brain Injury,117 Pediatrics 317, 317 (2006); see also Keenan et al., supra note 285, at 637.
391 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 13 & n.76 (citing the testimony of a defense expert, neuroradiologist Dr. Patrick Barnes, in State v.
Edmunds). The assertion is that writers of much of the medical literature on Abusive Head Trauma “select[ed] cases by the presence
of the very clinical findings and test results they [sought] to validate as diagnostic.” Id. at 13 As Dr. Barnes simply stated, “SBS=SDH
+ RH [inclusion criteria], therefore, SDH + RH=SBS [conclusion].” Id.
392 See supra Section II.A. (explaining the direct contributions of these and other authors).
393 Id.
394 Id. (detailing studies that accounted for “circularity”).
395 There have been a few other hypothesized mechanisms (such as increased intrathoracic pressure) for SDHs. But addressing all of
these hypothesized mechanisms is beyond the scope of this article. For further information regarding these hypothesized mechanisms,
I would refer the reader to Frasier et al, supra note 14, and Rorke-Adams et al., supra note 14.
396 J.F. Geddes et al., Dural Haemorrhage in Non-Traumatic Infant Deaths: Does it Explain the Bleeding in “Shaken Baby Syndrome”?,
29 Neuropathology & Applied Neurobiology 14, 14 (2003) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “Pathology” literature,
retrospective article #9); Waney Squier & Julie Mack, The Neuropathology of Infant Subdural Haemorrhage, 187 Forensic Sci. Int'l 6,
12 (2009); Julie Mack et al., Anatomy and Development of the Meninges: Implications for Subdural Collections and CSF Circulation,
39 Pediatric Radiology 200, 200 (2009) (sources also referenced in Appendix A, “Pathology” literature, review articles #6 & 9).
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397 Geddes et al, supra note 396, at 14 (emphasis added).
398 See id. at 19.
399 Id. at 15.
400 Id.
401 See id. at 15, 17 tbl.2.
402 Id. at 15.
403 See generally id.
404 See id. at 15, 19.
405 See id. at 17.
406 Id.
407 See id.
408 See id.
409 See supra Section II.B.2.a.
410 See Marta C. Cohen & Irene Scheimberg, Evidence of Occurrence of Intradural and Subdural Hemorrhage in the Perinatal and
Neonatal Period in the Context of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: An Observational Study from Two Referral Institutions in
the United Kingdom, 12 Pediatric & Developmental Pathology 169 (2009); (source also referenced at Appendix A, “Pathology”
literature, prospective article #1); see also infra Part III.A (discussing the legal ramifications of the “Unified Hypothesis” in United
Kingdom courts).
411 Cohen & Scheimberg, supra note 410, at 169.
412 Id.
413 See generally id.
414 See C. Smith, & J. Bell, Shaken Baby Syndrome: Evidence and Experts, 50 Dev. Med. Child Neurology 6, 6 (2008).
415 See generally Cohen & Scheimberg, supra note 410.
416 See generally id.
417 Compare Geddes et al., supra note 396, at 14 (using fetuses with gestational ages of 18 to 41 weeks and newborn with ages as high as
five months) with Cohen & Scheimberg, supra note 410, at 169 (using fetuses with gestational ages of 26 to 40 weeks and newborns
with ages between 1 hour and 19 days).
418 Geddes et al., supra note 396, at 14.
419 Tim Jaspan, Current Controversies in the Interpretation of Non-Accidental Head Injury, 38 Pediatric Radiology s378, s382 (Supp.
2008) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “Radiology” literature, review #3).
420 See generally Benjamin Y. Huang & Mauricio Castillo, Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury: Imaging Findings from Birth to Adulthood,
28 Radiographics 417, 433 (2008).
421 See Jaspan, supra note 419, at s382.
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422 See David J. Dubowitz et al., MR of Hypoxic Encephalopathy in Children after Near Drowning: Correlation with Quantitative
Proton MR Spectroscopy and Clinical Outcome, 19 Am J. Neuroradiology 1617, 1618 (1998) (source also referenced in Appendix
A, “Radiology” literature, retrospective article #7).
423 Id. at 1620-22, 1626.
424 See O. Baenziger et. al., Early Pattern Recognition in Severe Perinatal Asphyxia: A Prospective MRI Study, 35 Neuroradiology
437, 440 (1993); A. James Barkovich et. al., Perinatal Asphyxia: MR Findings in the First 10 Days, 16 Am. J. Neuroradiology 427,
427 (1995); Mary Rutherford et al., Hypoxic-ischaemic Encephalopathy: Early and Late Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in
Relation to Outcome, 75 Archives Disease Childhood F145, F145, F151 (1996); L.T. Sie et al., MR Patterns of Hypoxic-Ischemic
Brain Damage After Prenatal, Perinatal or Postnatal Asphyxia, 31 Neuropediatrics 128, 128 (2000).
425 See Karim T. Rafaat et al., Cranial Computed Tomographic Findings in a Large Group of Children with Drowning: Diagnostic,
Prognostic, and Forensic Implications, 6 Pediatric Critical Care Med. 567, 567 (2008) (source also referenced in Appendix A,
“Radiology” literature, retrospective article #11).
426 Id.
427 Id. at 567-68.
428 Jaspan, supra note 419, at s382.
429 Roger W. Byard et al., Lack of Evidence for a Causal Relationship Between Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Subdural
Hemorrhage in Fetal Life, Infancy, and Early Childhood, 10 Pediatric & Developmental Pathology 348, 348 (2007) (source also
referenced in Appendix A, “Pathology,” literature, retrospective article # 2).
430 Id.
431 Id.
432 Id.
433 Id.
434 Id.
435 See M. Hurley, et al., Is There a Causal Relationship Between the Hypoxia-Ischaemia Associated with Cardiorespiratory Arrest and
Subdural Haematomas? An Observational Study, 83 Brit. J. Radiology 736, 736-37 (2010) (source also referenced in Appendix A,
“Pathology” literature, retrospective article #15).
436 Id. at 736.
437 Id.
438 Id. at 736-37.
439 Id. at 737.
440 Id.
441 Id. at 738.
442 Id.
443 Id.
444 See id. at 737.
445 Id. at 743 (emphasis added).
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446 Matschke et al., supra note 255, at 1594.
447 See Squier & Mack, supra note 396, at 8.
448 Id. at 8-9.
449 Id. at 10.
450 See id. at 10, 12.
451 Much has recently been made of the biomechanical research arguing against the validity of AHT/SBS. See Bazelon, supra note 5.
Given the ethical limitations of research in the field, much prior pediatric biomechanical research was scaled data based upon adult
values. See Jason F. Luck et al., Tensile Mechanical Properties of the Perinatal and Pediatric PMHS Osteoligamentous Cervical
Spine, 52 Stapp Car Crash J. 107, 107-09 (2008). This left what was described by many learned researchers in the field as a
“significant void in pediatric cervical spine biomechanics.” Id. at 107. Although recent biomechanical research upon post-mortem
infants is an improvement on that prior data, it is still limited and approximate. See id. at 109. In fact, Luck et al. found that “juvenile
animal surrogates estimate the stiffness of the human cervical spine fairly well.” Id. at 107. Along that vein of approximate data,
recent animal studies (specifically, seven to ten day-old anesthetized lambs vigorously shaken by humans) have produced the exact
same injuries commonly found in AHT/SBS--subdural hemorrhages and retinal hemorrhages. See John W. Finnie et al., Diffuse
Neuronal Perikaryal Amyloid Precursor Protein Immunoreactivity in an Ovine Model of Non-Accidental Head Injury (the Shaken
Baby Syndrome), 17 J. Clinical Neuroscience 237, 237-39 (2010).
452 See, e.g., Brian J. Forbes et. al., Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome): Ophthalmic Findings, 41 J. Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 80, 86 (2004).
453 See Chiesa & Duhaime, supra note 13, at 317.
454 “Diffuse Axonal Injury” refers to damage of the brain to a widespread, not focal, area; it most commonly manifests as lesions of the
white matter tracts of the brain. See Douglas H. Smith et al., Diffuse Axonal Injury in Head Trauma, 18 J. Head Trauma Rehabilitation
307, 308 (2003).
455 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 4 & n.18, 7 n.39.
456 Although not discussed in this review, “encephalopathy” is also associated with trauma.
457 See Kempe et al., supra note 148, at 143.
458 See Chiesa & Duhaime, supra note 13, at 321.
459 Id. at 319-20.
460 Id at 319.
461 Id. at 320. In certain cases, specifically, in certain cases of fatal AHT, a detailed physical examination either is impractical (secondary
to the critical care needs of the child) or unwarranted, as further physical examination information will be obtained via autopsy.
See id. at 323.
462 Id. at 320.
463 See Carole Jenny et al., Analysis of Missed Cases of Abusive Head Trauma, 282 JAMA 621, 623 & tbl.2 (1999) (showing physicians
failed to detect AHT 31.2% of the time) (source also referenced in Appendix A, “General” literature, retrospective study #19); see
also Hymel et al., Head Injury Depth, supra note 285, at 712, 716 tbl.3 (showing abused children might not show scalp or skull injury,
but still may have brain injury).
464 See Chiesa & Duhaime, supra note 13, at 321 (discussing differential diagnoses)
465 See id.
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466 See infra notes 523-24.
467 See Chiesa & Duhaime, supra note 13, at 320. In fact, a multidisciplinary child protection team approach has become the standard
of care in many jurisdictions. See id. at 319.
468 See id. at 321.
469 See id. at 322.
470 See id. at 319-20.
471 Id. at 321.
472 See id. at 321, 323
473 See id. at 322.
474 This presumes that after reasonable medical investigation there is still no other discernible medical cause for the injuries.
475 See Kempe et al., supra note 148, at 143.
476 Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 5 (citing State v. Edmunds 746 N.W.2d 590, 598-99 (Wis. Ct. App. 2008)).
477 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 14 (emphasis added).
478 Some of the below listed organizations have explicitly acknowledged support through practice guidelines or similar promulgations,
while others have implicitly done so by providing clinician or patient education materials on their websites.
479 See Jonathan Dart & Sarah Cumberland, Fragile Brain, Handle with Care, 87 Bull. World Health Org. 331, 331-32 (2009); Fact Sheet
No. 150, Child Maltreatment, World Health Org. (Aug. 2010), http:// www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs150/en/index.html.
480 The Royal Coll. of Paediatrics & Child Health & Royal Coll. of Radiologists, Standards for Radiological Investigations
of Suspected Non-Accidental Injury 10 (March 2008), http:// www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/asset_ library/Publications/S/
StandardsforRadiologicalInvestigationsD..
481 See id.
482 See G. Adams et al., Update from the Ophthalmology Child Abuse Working Party: Royal College Ophthalmologists, 18 Eye 795,
795-96 (2004) available at www.rcophth.ac.uk/page.asp?section=493&search=.
483 See Joint Statement on Shaken Baby Syndrome, Canadian Paediatric Soc'y, http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/pp/cps01-01.htm
(last visited Oct. 23, 2011).
484 Christian et al., supra note 6, at 1410.
485 Alex V. Levin et al., Information Statement: Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome, Am. Acad. of Ophthalmology (June
2010), http:// one.aao.org/ce/practiceguidelines/clinicalstatements_content.aspx?cid=914163d5-5313-4c23-80f1-07167ee62579.
486 Info for Patients: Shaken Baby Syndrome, Am. Ass'n for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus, http://www.aapos.org/terms/
conditions/97 (last visited Oct. 23, 2011).
487 See James S. Meyer, et al., ACR Appropriateness Criteria: Suspected Physical Abuse--Child, Am. Coll.
Radiology http:// www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/quality_safety/app_ criteria/pdf/ExpertPanelonPediatricImaging/
SuspectedPhysicalAbuseChildDoc9.aspx (last reviewed 2009).
488 See Liz Horsley, AAP Guidelines on Evaluating Suspected Child Physical Abuse, 77 Am. Fam. Physicians 1461, 1461-64 (2008),
available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0515/p1461.html.
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489 See Patient Education, Am. Coll. of Surgeons, http:// www.facs.org/patienteducation/patient-resources/nervoussystem.html (last
visited Aug. 26, 2011).
490 Patient Information: Shaken Baby Syndrome, Am. Ass'n of Neurological Surgeons (Nov. 2005) http://www.aans.org/Patient%
20Information.aspx (follow “Click here to view Conditions and Treatments” hyperlink; then follow “Shaken Baby Syndrome”
hyperlink).
491 See Child Abuse, Pediatric Orthopaedic Soc'y of N. Am, http:// www.posna.org/education/StudyGuide/childAbuse.asp (last visited
Oct. 23, 2011); Fractures Associated with Head Injury, Pediatric Orthopaedic Soc'y of N. Am., http:// www.posna.org/education/
StudyGuide/fracturesAssociatedwithHeadInjury.asp (last visited Oct. 23, 2011)
492 See Doraliz Hidalgo & Bernard L. Lopez, Head Trauma in Children Younger Than 2 Years, Critical Decisions Emergency Med.,
Apr. 2007, at 16 (presenting instruction for emergency physicians).
493 Shaken Baby Syndrome, Am. Acad. of Neurology, http:// www.aan.com/apps/disorders/index.cfm?event=database
%3adisorder.view&disorder_ id=1060 (last visited Oct. 23, 2011).
494 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 592 (1993) (footnotes omitted).
495 Id. at 593.
496 Id.
497 Id. at 594.
498 Id. Other factors for a trial court's consideration include whether “the expert's qualifications are sufficient... [whether] the method has
been put to non-judicial uses... ‘whether the expert's proposed testimony grows naturally and directly out of research the expert has
conducted independent of the litigation’... ‘whether the expert has unjustifiably extrapolated from accepted premise to unfounded
conclusion’... [and] ‘whether the expert has adequately accounted for alternative explanations.”’ David v. Black & Decker (US) Inc.,
629 F. Supp. 2d 511, 514 (W.D. Pa. 2009) (citing Magistrini v. One Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaning, 180 F. Supp. 2d 584, 594 (D.N.J.
2002), aff'd 68 Fed. Appx. 356 (3d Cir. 2003)) (citation omitted).
499 See supra Section II.B.2 (“Statistical Evidence”).
500 See, e.g., Hymel et al., Head Injury Depth, supra note 285, at 712-13.
501 See, e.g., Dubowitz et al., supra note 422, at 1617 (using MRI in near drowning episodes); Wells et al., supra note 286, at 252
(assessment using CT).
502 See, e.g., Luck et al., supra note 451, at 107, 109 (showing use of a physical forces perspective).
503 See, e.g., Geddes et al., supra note 396, at 18-19.
504 See supra text accompanying notes 234-35.
505 See infra Appendix A.
506 See In re Neurontin Mktg., Sales Practices & Prod. Liab., 612 F.Supp. 2d 116, 140 (D. Mass. 2009) (“Statistical evidence significance
is one of the factors the Court should examine when determining whether a drug can cause an adverse event.”); see also Daubert v.
Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 594 (1993) (“[I]n the case of a particular scientific technique, the court ordinarily should
consider the known or potential rate of error.”)
507 As stated in the general statistics section above, in social sciences and medicine, this “observed significance level” (the p-value) is
usually set at 5% (or 0.05) for “statistically significant,” or 1% (or 0.01) for “moderately high” statistical significance, and 0.1% (or
0.001) for “high or strong” statistical significance. See supra Section II(B)(1)(b).
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508 See S. Maguire et al., supra note 364, at 860 (systematic review showing positive predictive value for RH of 71%); Vinchon et al.,
supra note 285, at 380 (recent study showing specificity of 93.2% for RH in AHT and 100% of severe RH in AHT); see also Vinchon
et al., supra note 280, at 642 tbl.4 (recent study showing severe RH specificity of 0.974 and a positive predictive value of 0.961).
509 See Vinchon et al., supra note 280, at 637.
510 In the 1950s, two eminent psychologists, Campbell and Fiske, sought to provide validation for psychological assessment tools
that assessed vague variables such as courteousness, honesty, self-centeredness, imaginativeness, talkativeness, etc. See Donald T.
Campbell & Donald W. Fiske, Convergent and Discriminant Validation by the Multitrait-Multimethod Matrix, 56 Psychol. Bull. 81,
98 tbl.13 (1959). In creating the multitrait-multimethod approach to assessing validity of psychological assessment tools, Campbell
and Fiske determined that one of the key components was the concept of “convergent validation.” Id. at 81.
511 Id. at 81.
512 Id.
513 See People v. Martinez, 74 P.3d 316, 323 (Colo. 2003) (“[W]e assume, as it is not in dispute, that the scientific principles of shaken-
impact syndrome and subdural hematomas resulting from extreme accidents are reasonably reliable”); State v. McClary, 541 A.2d 96,
102 (Conn. 1988) (shaken baby syndrome is generally accepted by medical science); State v. Torres, 121 P.3d 429, 437 (Kan. 2005)
(testimony by physicians that infant's injuries were shaken baby syndrome, and not consistent with falling off a chair was sufficient for
conviction of felony murder); State v. Leibhart, 662 N.W.2d 618 (Neb. 2003) (expert testimony on shaken baby syndrome admissible;
passes Daubert); Order Denying Motion to Exclude Testimony on AHT/SBS at 5, State v. Mendoza, No. 071908696 (Utah Dist.
Ct., June 5, 2009) (“[T]he State's experts made a very compelling... showing that SBS is both still widely accepted and applicable
to the current case”); see also R v. Harris, [2005] EWCA (Crim) 1980, [267] (Eng.); R v. Henderson; R v. Butler; R v. Oyediran,
[2010] EWCA (Crim) 1269, [7] (Eng.).
514 While other criteria, such as academic appointment, research, and publication, are desirable, they are not necessary to declare one
as a part of the “relevant” scientific community.
515 See Kassirer & Cecil, supra note 54, at 1383 (discussing Kumho).
516 R v. Henderson; R v. Butler; R v. Oyediran, [2010] EWCA (Crim) 1269, [208] (Eng.) (emphasis added).
517 See, e.g., Martinez, 74 P.3d at 323; McClary, 541 A.2d at 102; State v. Edmunds, 746 N.W.2d 590, 593 (Wis. Ct. App. 2008);
Order Determining Admissibility of Expert Testimony on AHT/SBS at 22-23, Commonwealth v. Davis, No. 04-CR-205 (Ky. Cir.
Ct., Apr. 17, 2006); Order Denying Motion to Exclude Testimony on AHT/SBS at 6, State v. Mendoza, No. 071908696 (Utah Dist.
Ct., June 5, 2009).
518 Compare Order Denying Motion to Exclude Testimony on AHT/SBS at 5-6, State v. Mendoza, No. 071908696 (Utah Dist. Ct., June
5, 2009) (accepting AHT testimony), with Edmunds, 746 N.W.2d at 594 (giving a new trial because scientific doubt surrounds AHT
diagnoses).
519 See supra Section II.B.c.1--“A Shifted Consensus?”--where fifteen national and international medical societies are listed as publicly
supporting the validity of AHT as a medical diagnosis. As mentioned in that section, the only “relevant” disciplines with some discord
are pathologists and biomechanical engineers.
520 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 590 (1993).
521 Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 152 (1999).
522 Breyer, supra note 57, at 6.
523 See Jerome P. Kassirer & Richard I. Kopelman, Learning Clinical Reasoning 16 (1991) (“Bayesian analysis assembles a complete set
of diagnostic hypotheses that can explain a given set for clinical findings. For each hypothesis, a set of relevant attributes is identified
(historical findings, physical findings, complications, predisposing factors, laboratory results) that might help discriminate among
the diagnoses. The prior probability of each diagnostic hypothesis is specified numerically, as is the probability that each attribute is
found in each disease entity. Then, a calculation is make of the likelihood of each disease entity given the disease prevalence and the
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probability of each clinical attribute.”). Although physician reasoning does not exclusively proceed in a Bayesian fashion, physicians
do frequently rely on Bayesian reasoning (combining disease prevalence with their knowledge of frequency of signs and symptoms
in a given disease) in the diagnostic process. See Henifin, et al., supra note 91, at 467.
524 See Jerome P. Kassirer & Frank A. Sonnenberg, The Scientific Basis of Diagnosis, in Textbook of Internal Medicine 14, 14-15
(William N. Kelley ed., J.B. Libbincott Co. 1989); Kassirer & Kopelman, supra note 523, at 3.
525 See Kassirer & Sonnenberg, supra note 524, at 14; see also Kassirer & Kopelman, supra note 523, at 16 (defining differential
diagnosis).
526 See Kassirer & Sonnenberg, supra note 524, at 15; see also Kassirer & Kopelman, supra note 523, at 11 (“Hypothesis refinement is
an evolving, sequential process of data gathering and interpretation.”). Rather than exclusively relying on statistical data on disease
prevalence to generate diagnostic hypotheses, the physician also utilizes “heuristics” (or shortcuts/rules of thumb) to make the task
of information gathering manageable and efficient. Kassirer & Kopelman, supra note 523, at 4.
527 See Kassirer & Sonnenberg, supra note 524, at 15; see also Kassirer & Kopelman, supra note 523, at 11. (“Hypothesis refinement
is an evolving sequential process of data gathering and interpretation.”). Probabilistic reasoning is Bayesian-type reasoning where
prior probabilities of diseases are considered and combined with a physician's knowledge of the frequency of signs and symptoms
in a given disease and the probabilities of specific test information. These assist the physician in a probabilistic assessment of the
most likely hypothesis. Causal reasoning “is a function of the anatomical, physiological and biochemical mechanisms that operate
normally in the human body and the pathophysiologic behavior of these mechanisms in disease.” See Kassirer & Kopelman, supra
note 523, at 28. Physicians “are accustomed to use any reliable data to assess causality, no matter what their source.... Temporal
proximity can be a potent factor in causal decision making....” Kassirer & Cecil, supra note 54, at 1384.
528 “Adequacy occurs when a “diagnostic hypothesis... encompasses all surviving hypotheses and... accounts for all the patient's findings,
whether abnormal or normal.” Kassirer & Kopelman, supra note 523, at 32. Coherency occurs “when a patient's findings are consistent
with the altered pathophysiology of the hypothesized disease state.” Id. Parsimony is “the simplest possible explanation all of the
[patient's] findings.” Id.
529 See Best v. Lowe's Home Ctrs. Inc., 563 F.3d 171, 179, 183-84 (6th Cir. 2009) (stating a differential diagnosis can be adequate
grounds for a causation opinion under Daubert); Hyman & Armstrong, P.S.C. v. Gunderson, 279 S.W.3d 93, 107, 109 (Ky. 2008);
Westberry v. Gislaved Gummi AB, 178 F.3d 257, 263 (4th Cir. 1999). But see, Moore v. Ashland Chem. Inc., 151 F.3d 269, 279
(5th Cir. 1998) (denying admissibility of expert testimony based upon the differential diagnosis); Moore 151 F.3d at 288 (dissent).
530 See Gunderson, 279 S.W.3d at 107 (citing Globetti v. Sandoz Pharms. Corp., 111 F.Supp.2d 1174 (N.D. Ala. 2000)).
531 In re Paoli R.R. Yard PCB Litig., 35 F.3d 717, 759 (3d Cir. 1994) (noting there is “a requirement that experts at least consider
alternative causes” and that this concept is “at the core of differential diagnosis.”); see Heller v. Shaw Industries, Inc., 167 F.3d 146,
156 (3d Cir. 1999) (stating that before allowing differential diagnosis reasoning as grounds for causation, a medical expert must rule
out “obvious alternative causes,” but not, “categorically, all other possible causes” of an injury).
532 See State v. McClary, 541 A.2d 96, 102 (1988) (noting shaken baby syndrome is generally accepted by medical science).
533 See United States v. Vallo, 238 F.3d 1242, 1245 (10th Cir. 2001); People v. Dunaway, 88 P.3d 619, 633-34 (Colo. 2004); People v.
Martinez, 74 P.3d 316, 323, 324-25 (Colo. 2003); State v. Leibhart, 662 N.W.2d 618, 627-28 (Neb. 2003); State v. Glenn, 900 So.2d
26, 34-35 (La. Ct. App. 2005); Order Denying Motion to Exclude Testimony on AHT/SBS at 5-6, State v. Mendoza, No. 071908696
(Utah Dist. Ct., June 5, 2009).
534 R v. Harris, [2005] EWCA (Crim) 1980, [4]-[5].
535 Id. at [3].
536 Id. at [56].
537 Id. at [5].
538 Id. at [57]-[58] (emphasis added).
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539 Id. at [68]-[69] (emphasis added).
540 See id. at [102]-[103].
541 Id. at [101].
542 Id. at [153].
543 Id. at [153], [266].
544 Id. at [185], [219].
545 Other challenges to admissibility of AHT testimony have included 403 challenges (that a medical diagnosis of child abuse is confusing
to a jury in relation to the legal definition of child abuse, within a particular state, and consequently, the prejudicial value outweighs
the probative value) and challenges to the admissibility of testimony on the amount of force required to cause the injuries. See People
v. Martinez, 74 P.3d 316, 321-22 (Colo. 2003). For a comprehensive review of the evidentiary challenges in AHT testimony, see
John E.B. Myers, Myers on Evidence in Child, Domestic, and Elder Abuse Cases (Aspen Publishers, vol. 1 2005) and John E. B.
Myers, Myers on Evidence in Child, Domestic and Elder Abuse Cases (Aspen Publishers, supp. 2007).
546 See supra Section II(B)(2)(“Statistical Evidence”).
547 Mack et al., supra note 396, at 208.
548 Squier & Mack, supra note 396, at 10.
549 See id.; Mack et al., supra at 396, at 208.
550 See supra Part (d)(ii) Alternative Hypotheses.
551 A Local Auth. v. S, [2009] EWHC (Fam) 2115 [63], [199], [201]-[203] (Eng.) (emphasis added).
552 Id. at [284]-[286] (emphasis added) (heading omitted).
553 R v. Henderson; R v. Butler; R v. Oyediran, [2010] EWCA (Crim) 1269 [188], [190] (Eng.) (emphasis added).
554 State v. Smallwood, 955 P.2d 1209, 1220-21 (Kan. 1998).
555 See State v. Smith, 877 So. 2d 1123, 1127-29 (La. Ct. App. 2004) (fatal shaking and impact case; doctor testified child's injuries
were abusive); State v. Smallwood, 955 P.2d 1209, 1221 (1998) (infant died of inflicted head injury; pathologist opined the child
died of abuse: “by stating that, based upon her medical experience, Kaine died as a result of child abuse, either shaking or a blow to
the skull, Dr. Gould was not testifying as to the ultimate question of Smallwood's guilt or innocence. Expert testimony in the form
of an opinion is not objectionable because it embraces the ultimate issue or issues to be decided by the trier of fact.”).
556 Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 68 (1991).
557 Id. (citation omitted).
558 See Kempe et al., supra note 148, at 143; Tuerkheimer, supra note 4, at 31.
559 See State v. Torres, 121 P.3d 429, 446-47 (Kan. 2005).
560 State v. Edmunds, 746 N.W.2d 590, 596 (Wis. Ct. App. 2008).
561 See R v. Henderson; R v. Butler; R v. Oyediran, EWCA (Crim) 1269 at [188]-[190]; Order Denying Motion to Exclude Testimony
on AHT/SBS at 1-4, State v. Mendoza, No. 071908696 (Utah Dist. Ct., June 5, 2009).
562 Order Determining Admissibility of Expert Testimony on AHT/SBS at 22, Commonwealth v. Davis, No. 04-CR-205 (Ky. Cir. Ct.,
Apr. 17, 2006).
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563 See, e.g., State v. Leibhart 662 N.W.2d 618, 627-28 (Neb. 2003); Order Denying Motion to Exclude Testimony on AHT/SBS at 5-6,
State v. Mendoza, No. 071908696 (Utah Dist. Ct., June 5, 2009).
564 See Edmunds, 746 N.W.2d at 596.
565 See id.
566 A Local Auth. v. S, [2009] EWHC (Fam) 2115 [199] (Eng.) (emphasis added).
567 Breyer, supra note 57, at 4.
568 Id. at 6.
11 HOUJHLP 505
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13 Hous. J. Health L. & Pol'y 203
Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy
Fall 2013
Articles
A DAUBERT ANALYSIS OF ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA/SHAKEN BABY
SYNDROME--PART II: AN EXAMINATION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Sandeep K. Narang, M.D., J.D., John D. Melville, M.D., Christopher S. Greeley,
M.D., James D. Anderst, M.D., Shannon L Carpenter, M.D., and Betty Spivack, M.D.
Copyright (c) 2013 Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy; Sandeep K. Narang, M.D., J.D.; John D. Melville,
M.D.; Christopher S. Greeley, M.D.; James D. Anderst, M.D.; Shannon L Carpenter, M.D.; Betty Spivack, M.D.
I. Introduction 205
II. Evidence-Based Medicine & AHT/SBS 209
Table 1: Centre for Evidence Based Medicine Levels of Evidence Scale for a Diagnosis 211
III. Accidental Injury 213
A. Short Falls 213
Scientific Conclusion #1: 214
Scientific Conclusion #2: 216
Scientific Conclusion #3: 217
Scientific Conclusion #4: 218
Scientific Conclusion #5: 219
Scientific Conclusion #6: 220
Scientific Conclusion #7: 223
Figure 1: Table from David L. Chadwick et al., Annual Risk of Death Resulting 224
B. Other Accident Literature 226
C. Conclusion 228
IV. Bleeding Disorders 229
A. Causes (Etiologies) of Bleeding Disorders 230
1. Congenital Bleeding Disorders 231
2. Acquired Bleeding Disorders 231
B. Symptoms of Bleeding Disorders 233
C. Sources of Data 234
D. Testing for and Probability of Bleeding Disorders in the Setting of ICH 236
Table 2: Probabilities for Congenital Coagulopathies to Cause ICH a,b 239
E. Special Considerations 240
1. Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) 241
2. Mild Platelet Disorders 244
F. Conclusion 245
V. Biomechanics 246
Question 1: 247
Question 2: 252
Question 3: 254
Question 4: 259
Question 5: 260
Conclusion 262
VI. Hypoxia 263
A. Geddes and the Unified Theory 264
Geddes 1: 264
Geddes 2: 266
Geddes 3: 268
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B. Scientific Critique of the Unified Theory 269
C. Adjunct Hypotheses 275
D. Scientific Critique of the Adjunct Hypotheses 278
E. Conclusion 281
VII. The Daubert Analysis 281
A. Does a Physician's Testimony in Child Abuse Cases Constitute “Scientific,” “Technical,” or “Other 283
Specialized Knowledge?‘
B. Is the Physician's Testimony in AHT/SBS Cases the “Product of Reliable Principles and 288
Methodology?”
1. Are the scientific principles and evidence underlying the AHT/SBS diagnosis “reliable” (i.e., the 290
“major premise”)?
2. What is the “Differential Diagnosis Methodology?” 302
3. Is the “differential diagnosis methodology,” in general, a reliable methodology for applying the 305
major premise to the specific facts of a case (i.e., the “minor premise”)?
C. The “Path Forward”: Throwing the Baby out with the Bath Water (Figuratively Speaking) 322
1. The fog of legal argument 322
2. Lifting the fog 324
VIII. Conclusion 327
*205 I. Introduction
For reasons inexplicable to many physicians, and unbeknownst to many others, the diagnosis of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken
Baby Syndrome 1 (AHT/SBS) remains a lightning rod for controversy. Public media articles continue to be published. 2 Legal
articles *206 continue to be written. 3 And judicial commentary on the science continues to occur. 4 The most recent example
of judicial commentary upon the topic, and probably the most prominent, is the dissenting opinion of the honorable Justices
Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Breyer in Cavazos v. Smith. 5 In that opinion, the dissenting justices cited seven medical articles
that ostensibly supported their opinions that: 1) “there was inadequate scientific evidence to come to a firm conclusion on most
aspects of causation, diagnosis, treatment, or any other matters pertaining to SBS”; 2) “that ‘the commonly held opinion that the
finding of [subdural hemorrhage] and [retinal hemorrhage] in an infant was strong evidence of SBS was unsustainable”’; and
3) that “doubt has increased in the medical community ‘over whether infants can be fatally injured through shaking alone.”’ 6
Setting aside the multiple concerns regarding the selection criteria for the articles, 7 the irony in the citation of these articles
is that the articles cited by the dissenting justices are actually so methodologically flawed, scientifically inaccurate, and of the
lowest level of evidence-based medical literature, that they would be reasonable examples of articles that are “not even good
enough to be wrong.” 8 So how do the most learned jurists in the land get the *207 science so wrong? 9 And what hope is
there then for the lone “gatekeeper”?
In Part I of this discussion, one of the authors, Dr. Narang, presented a relatively comprehensive analysis of the current science
surrounding AHT/SBS, and more specifically, surrounding two of the most common injuries found in AHT/SBS--subdural
hemorrhages (SDHs) and retinal hemorrhages (RHs). 10 Dr. Narang asserted that the diagnosis of AHT is supported by “at
least 700 peer-reviewed, clinical medical articles comprising thousands of pages of medical literature, published by over 1,000
different medical authors, from at least twenty-eight different countries.” 11 He described, in painful detail, multiple scientific
studies from various medical disciplines that demonstrated a significant statistical association of SDHs with AHT 12 (over
accidents and other medical causes) and that demonstrated a highly significant statistical association of severe RHs with AHT 13
(over accidents and other medical causes). Despite the reported “controversy” on the topic, Dr. Narang cited at least fifteen
international and national professional medical societies that have publicly acknowledged the validity of AHT either through
formal practice statements or through educational materials provided to their members or the public. 14 In conclusion, Dr.
Narang examined that scientific literature with Daubert scrutiny and argued that such literature was scientifically valid, and
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consequently, did provide the clinician with sound scientific basis for arriving at diagnosis of AHT. 15 However, as Dr. Narang
alluded to in his initial article, that was only part of the analysis.
*208 Part II of this discussion swings the microscope in the opposite direction. The differential diagnosis of AHT (and its two
most common injuries, SDHs and RHs) includes many things--accidental trauma, birth trauma, bleeding disorders, malignancy,
and metabolic/genetic syndromes, to name a few. 16 Although a detailed scientific analysis 17 of the entire differential diagnosis
is beyond the purpose and scope of this article, this paper will examine the best, current evidence-based data for two of the
most common items on the differential diagnosis, accidental injury and bleeding disorders, and then examine the evidentiary
basis for two of the most debated topics in AHT, biomechanics and hypoxia/ischemia. In being provided with the “rest of the
story,” the reader will, hopefully, be able to see the relative strengths and weaknesses of the scientific data underpinning SDHs,
RHs, and the differential diagnosis. The reader will thereafter be able to discern for himself or herself whether the scientific
data afford the clinician reasonable grounds for arriving at the diagnosis of AHT. More importantly, the reader will be provided
with a reasonable glimpse of the entire analysis --the methodology--a clinician undertakes in arriving at the AHT diagnosis and
be able to conclude for himself or herself whether that methodology is reasonable or simply “junk science.”
In the first subsection of this paper, we briefly review the concept of “evidence-based medicine,” discuss its proper role in
present-day clinical medicine, and proffer an acceptable ranking scale for evidence-based medical literature, 18 a scale that
shall be applied to the scientific literature discussed herein. Thereafter, we place accidental injuries and bleeding disorders
under the evidence-based microscope, examining that literature in light of the Oxford rating *209 scale for evidence-based
medicine. We then detail the current state of knowledge on biomechanics and hypoxiaischemia, 19 highlighting the weaknesses
and limitations that infect that literature. Finally, we magnify the microscopic examination of the differential diagnosis method,
examining it closely with both a scientific and legal lens. In so doing, we garner and dissect the scientific and legal arguments
around that methodology, discuss the fallacious arguments critiquing the AHT/SBS literature, and propose some solutions going
forward for the identification and promulgation of sound scientific evidence on the topic in the legal setting.
II. Evidence-Based Medicine & AHT/SBS
“I look upon it as being a great part of the art to be able to judge properly of that which has been written.” 20
-Hippocrates
Physicians have been trained in the natural sciences, the advancement of medical knowledge, and the critical appraisal of medical
literature since the dawn of medicine. 21 Medical journals and the peer review system now date back nearly 200 years. 22
With the burgeoning of medical publications and the advent of electronic indexing of the medical literature in the 1970s and
1980s, it clearly became untenable for an individual practitioner to remain aware of all the research activity in even a small
specialty of medical practice. *210 From this environment of rapid scientific discovery grew a new movement: Evidence-
Based Medicine (EBM). Perhaps described best by one of its founders, Dr. David Sackett, EBM is the “conscientious, explicit,
and judicious use of the current, best evidence in making decisions about individual care.” 23 The review article containing
an expert's opinion about research was replaced by a systematic review: a thorough, exacting, and repeatable methodology for
grading and summarizing the most current medical evidence.
A central tenet of EBM is that not all evidence is of equal quality. 24 In seeking out the “best” evidence, one has to make value
judgments, and do so without reference to the outcome of the study. 25 The value judgments that ascribe one study as better
than another are primarily based upon the technical elements of the design and execution of the study. 26 There has been a
proliferation of “rating scales” that rate medical studies. 27 Some scales 28 are more appropriate for assessing the quality of
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literature on therapeutic modalities *211 in clinical medicine; others provide multiple scales that are amenable to different
kinds of studies. 29 For example, the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM) at The University of Oxford utilizes five
different scales--for assessments of literature on therapy, prognosis, diagnosis, symptom prevalence, and economic decision
analysis. 30 The CEBM scale for diagnostic literature is listed below in Table 1. 31
Table 1: Centre for Evidence Based Medicine Levels of Evidence Scale for a Diagnosis 32
1a Systematic review (with homogeneity) of level 1 diagnostic studies or clinical decision rule with 1b studies
from different clinical centers.
1b Validating cohort study with good reference standards or clinical decision rule tested within one clinical center.
1c A diagnostic finding so strong that it absolutely confirms or refutes the diagnosis.
2a Systematic review (with homogeneity) of 2b or better studies.
2b Exploratory cohort study with good reference standards; clinical decision rule after derivation or validated only
on split-samples or databases.
3a Systematic review (with homogeneity) of 3b or better studies.
3b Non-consecutive study or without consistently applied reference standards.
4 Case-control study, poor, or non-independent reference standard.
5 Expert opinion without explicit, critical appraisal; or based on physiology, bench research, or “first principles.”
*212 A prime example of the misapplication of ratings scales is that of Donohoe in his oft-cited, unfortunate article Evidence-
Based Medicine and Shaken Baby Syndrome. 33 While Donohoe decries the absence of randomized-controlled trials, 34 the
CEBM levels of evidence scale for a diagnosis does not even include randomized-controlled trials. 35 The CEBM correctly
recognizes that the randomized trial, while excellent for evaluating a therapy, is not an appropriate tool for evaluating a
diagnosis.
The last element of the “current, best evidence” in EBM is the emphasis on the adjective “current.” 36 Some critics of the AHT/
SBS diagnosis propose a level of diagnostic abstinence until some future level of scientific precision (akin to a “DNA-type”
evidence) can be achieved. 37 Yet, even the most ardent EBM advocates would not purport such diagnostic impotence whilst
awaiting some yet-unrealized, “absolute” diagnostic certainty. The emphasis of EBM is to focus on the best available evidence,
not to discard the evidence we have simply because better evidence is not yet available.
*213 III. Accidental Injury
Accidents, 38 often as a result of falls, are a commonly reported cause of head injury in children. 39 In Fujiwara et al.'s
review of 28 AHT cases and 232 non-abusive head injuries, fall was the history presented in at least 17.9% and 62.9% of the
cases, respectively. 40 This section details the evidence that physicians can reliably utilize to distinguish accidental from non-
accidental trauma. While it might seem that accidental trauma and inflicted trauma would be difficult to differentiate, a number
of studies demonstrate that this actually is possible.
A. Short Falls
A particularly common childhood injury reported to pediatricians is the “short fall.” 41 Because injuries later thought to be
abusive are often blamed on short falls, they merit special attention. Authors in pediatric literature have defined short falls as
heights varying from less than 15 feet, 42 to 10 feet, 43 to less than 1.5 meters *214 (4.9 feet). 44 Although there exists no
standardized definition of a “short fall,” more recently consensus has shifted toward recognizing a “short fall” as a fall of less
than 1.5 m. 45
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There is an abundance of medical literature on pediatric short falls. Studies have focused on a variety of injury aspects--whether
there are observed differences in witnessed versus unwitnessed falls, in falls of varying degrees of height, and in falls with
varying biomechanical forces and aspects. 46 Study designs have ranged from isolated case reports to large epidemiologic
studies and systematic reviews. 47 Methodological differences have posed challenges to collectively assimilating data in
systematic reviews. 48 However, a comprehensive review 49 of the scientific literature does permit the clinician to draw the
following conclusions with a reasonable degree of medical certainty.
Scientific Conclusion #1: When caregivers have been surveyed, they report that
short falls are common, but severe 50 injuries from *215 short falls are rare.
In 2010, Suzanne B. Haney et al. surveyed 307 parents, asking if their child had fallen off a “high surface” such as a table, bed,
or dresser, before the age of two. 51 Forty percent of parents recalled such a fall, and fifty-nine percent of parents recalled more
than one such fall. 52 Among the 209 reported falls, the only serious injuries reported were two concussions. 53 There were no
reported subdural hematomas, retinal hemorrhages, or deaths. 54 These results accorded with Warrington et al., a similar, but
much larger, study from the United Kingdon in 2001. 55 In that study, when their child had reached six months of age, parents
were asked to describe any accident that had occurred with their child since birth. 56 The authors received data on over 2500
children, with over 3300 falls being reported. 57 Of these approximate 3300 falls, 1782 (53%) were falls from beds or settees. 58
Only twenty-one falls (less than one percent) resulted in concussion or fracture. 59 There were no reported intracranial injuries
*216 or death. 60 Other authors who have surveyed parents/caregivers have obtained similar results. 61 Although these two
cross-sectional studies would merit only a 4 on the Oxford CEBM scale, 62 they hold some scientific significance in that the
subjects studied had no motivation or inclination to provide inaccurate data. 63
Scientific Conclusion #2: Short falls occurring in objective settings,
such as hospitals, have not resulted in subdural hematoma or death.
In 1993, Lyons and Oates reported on 207 children who fell out of bed in the hospital in which a nurse either observed the fall
or attended to the child within seconds of the fall. 64 Falls ranged from 32-54 inches. 65 One child sustained a skull fracture
and another child sustained a clavicle fracture. 66 There were no multiple injuries, visceral injuries, severe head injuries, or
deaths. 67 These results accorded not only with prior studies by Nimityongskul 68 in 1987 and Levene 69 in 1991, but with
subsequent studies by Monson 70 in 2008, *217 Ruddick 71 in 2010, and Schaffer 72 in 2012. In total, these case series
describe over 620 falls in objective 73 settings (i.e., hospitals), with no consequent serious head injuries or deaths. Although
these studies are case series, or level 3b evidence on the CEBM scale, given the increased level of objectivity to the observed
injuries, they warrant significant scientific consideration.
Scientific Conclusion #3: Children in large, licensed daycares rarely die from short falls.
Another source of independently observed childhood falls is daycare. Licensed daycare centers are an attractive environment
to study short falls because structural layout and institutional policy effectively minimize abuse and because of facilitates'
reporting of accidents and abuse. 74
Chadwick conducted a comprehensive review of all daycare studies in the world's medical literature. 75 He found twenty-
five studies that focused on injuries occurring in daycare, studies from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. 76
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Only two of the twenty-five studies specifically looked at deaths in the daycare setting. 77 Good et al. reviewed data on over
520,000 children in day- *218 care centers and found no deaths attributed to falls. 78 Wrigley and Dreby examined data on
over six million children in child care centers over an eighteen-year period (1985-2003) and found only two reported deaths
attributed to falls in large, licensed child care centers. 79 However, these two reported deaths stemmed from newspaper reports
and, consequently, provided no detailed data for scientific analysis. 80 Despite having over 900,000 children under age two in
U.S. daycare centers 81 with multiple falls occurring daily, to date there is no peer-reviewed medical report of a death resulting
from a short fall in a large, licensed daycare center. 82
Scientific Conclusion #4: Severe injuries and deaths are rare in short falls witnessed by two
or more adults, but ironically, are more common in short falls witnessed by a single adult.
Williams reviewed the cases of 398 patients treated with injuries resulting from a fall. 83 Of these 398 patients, 106 were less
than three years old and the fall was witnessed by at least two adults. 84 The only death in this group was a child who fell
seventy feet. 85 The only serious injuries resulting from observed falls less than ten feet were children (three percent) with
depressed skull fractures after falling against an “edged” surface. 86 In contrast, among fifty-three children *219 under three
whose falls were witnessed by fewer than two adults, eighteen had serious injuries and two died after reported falls of less than
five feet. 87 Similar results and conclusions were reached by Wrigley and Dreby 88 in their comprehensive review of daycare
literature, by Reece & Sege, 89 and by Johnson et al. 90 Although Williams's, Johnson's, and Reece & Sege's case series only
merit level 3b evidence on the CEBM scale, they provide interesting insight into the histories provided by caregivers in abusive
and accidental injuries.
Scientific Conclusion #5: If reports of deaths from uncorroborated short falls are
accepted as valid, then short falls appear to be more dangerous than longer falls.
Williams noted another anomaly. In his study of 398 patients, uncorroborated reports indicated two deaths followed falls of
less than five feet, but no deaths followed falls of 6-11 feet or 12-23 feet. 91 Chadwick et al. noted similar findings in their
review of 317 uncorroborated falls requiring medical attention. 92 Among 183 children who reportedly fell 5-45 feet, only one
died. 93 Among 100 children reported to have fallen less than four feet, seven died. 94 All seven children had other factors
concerning for a false history, including old fractures, bruising on the trunk or extremities, genital injury, or *220 more than
one impact point on the head. 95 Similar results were obtained by Reece & Sege. 96 Although the biomechanics of a short fall
are a complex phenomenon, and probably not simply a factor of height, 97 other authors have also noted a correlation between
increased fall height and injury severity. 98
Scientific Conclusion #6: Well-designed prospective studies reveal that
severe injuries or deaths resulting from short falls are rare events.
In 1992, Duhaime et al. prospectively studied 100 patients less than two years of age who suffered head injuries. 99 In efforts
to avoid “circularity” concerns, Duhaime et al. used strict criteria for determining “inflicted” injury. 100 The authors excluded
retinal hemorrhages (RHs) as a diagnostic criterion and only included SDHs that had no history of trauma but had clinical or
radiologic findings of blunt impact to the head. 101 Thus, the authors designed an algorithm that was “deliberately biased to
reduce false positives and, thus, underestimate the true incidence of child abuse.” 102 In the Duhaime et al. cohort, seventy-six
patients' injuries were determined to be from *221 accidental causes, and twenty-four were determined to be inflicted. 103
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Of the 100 studied patients, seventy-three suffered head injuries from reported falls, nine from motor vehicle accidents, two
from impacts by other objects, two admitted assaults, and fourteen without any history. 104 Of those seventy-three reported
falls, thirty-four (47%) were from falls less than four feet, twenty-one (29%) from falls greater than four feet, and eighteen
(25%) from falls from walkers or down stairs. 105 Of the thirty-four reported short falls, twenty-six were determined to be
accidental, and eight were determined to be inflicted. 106 Of the twenty-six accidental short falls, none had SDHs or RHs. 107
In Duhaime et al.'s entire 100-patient cohort, there were only four deaths--three from the inflicted group and one from the
accidental group. 108 The only death from the accidental category was a passenger in a high-speed motor vehicle accident. 109
Similar results were obtained by Bechtel et al. in their prospective study of 87 children aged 0-2 years at Yale Children's Hospital
from 2000-2002. 110
In 2011, Thompson et al. reported their prospective study of seventy-nine children less than four years of age who presented to
the emergency department of Kosair Childrens' Hospital (Louisville, KY) between May 2008-July 2009 with a complaint of a
household fall from a bed, sofa, or similar furniture. 111 The authors sought to determine the severity of injuries that resulted
from accidental short-distance household falls in children and to investigate the association *222 of fall environment and
biomechanical measures with injury outcomes. 112 The authors excluded all children suspected of abuse and included only
children whose injuries were “definite” or “likely” accidents. 113 The authors conducted interviews with the caregivers and in-
depth scene investigations in all seventy-nine cases in order to obtain information regarding fall dynamics and to determine
biomechanical measures associated with these falls. 114
Of the seventy-nine subjects enrolled, fifteen had no injuries, forty-five had minor (AIS 1) injuries, 115 seventeen had moderate
(AIS 2) injuries, 116 and two had serious (AIS 3) injuries. 117 No subjects had injuries classified as AIS 4 or higher, and there
were no fatalities. 118 The authors also determined that, in their study, “furniture height, impact velocity, and child BMI were
found to have the greatest influence on injury severity outcomes. Children with moderate or serious injuries tended to have fallen
from greater heights, had greater impact velocities, and had a lower BMI than those with minor or no injuries.” 119 Thompson
et al. concluded that “[t]his study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the biomechanics of short-distance household falls
and investigates the association of biomechanical and fall environment measures with injury severity. Children aged 0-4 years
involved in a short-distance household fall did not sustain severe or life-threatening injuries.” 120 Duhaime's, Bechtel's, and
Thompson's studies merit level 2b evidence on the CEBM scale.
*223 Scientific Conclusion #7: Systematic reviews of the short-
fall literature indicate that short falls rarely cause death in children.
In 2009, Chadwick et al. sought to numerically quantify the risk of death from short falls. 121 The authors performed an extensive
review of the published medical literature on short falls, “including 5 book chapters, 2 medical society statements, 7 major
literature reviews, 3 public injury databases, and 177 peer-reviewed, published articles indexed in the National Library of
Medicine.” 122 The authors examined data and literature from any and every short fall aspect: reliably witnessed falls, child-
care studies, studies of large clinical populations (more than fifty cases), studies of single cases or small series (less than fifty
cases), studies of long falls, pathologic and cadaveric studies, studies involving biomechanical analysis, playground-fall studies,
studies involving falls down stairs, walker-related falls, parent-observation studies, and studies specifically addressing short-
fall death. 123
When reviewing the two large injury databases (California's EPIC 124 database and the CDC's WISQRS 125 database),
Chadwick et al. found that WISQRS allowed determination of the total fall death rate for children less than four years of age, but
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did not provide stratification according to fall type/height. 126 Per the WISQRS database, “[t]he ‘all fall’ death rate was [three]
cases per [one] million young children per year.” 127 However, California's EPIC database did stratify data for short falls. 128
For the period 1999-2003, the EPIC database revealed six short fall fatalities. 129 In a state with 2.5 million *224 children
under five years old, this calculated to 0.48 deaths per million children per year. 130 Chadwick et al. provided comparative risk
estimates for other conditions that caused death in infants and children (see Figure 1 below):
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
Figure 1: Table from David L. Chadwick et al., Annual Risk of Death Resulting 131
Hence, based upon Chadwick et al.'s data, the chance of any given child dying of a short fall in any given year is approximately
one in two million. However, to truly approximate the probability of a single fall causing death, one would need to multiply
the one in two million by the number of falls a typical toddler or child experiences in a year.
Ehsani et al. also conducted a comprehensive review of the short-fall literature with the aim of answering the question: “Can a
simple short fall cause fatal head injury in an infant?” 132 Toward this aim, *225 Ehsani et al. considered 1055 publications for
inclusion. 133 Using explicit selection criteria, only twenty-seven publications were included in their review. 134 The authors
concluded that it is “rare, but possible, for fatal head injury to occur from a simple short fall.” 135 The authors went on to state
that “[l]arge population studies of childhood injuries indicate that severe head injury from a short fall is extremely rare. This is
counter pointed by a single documented case report that demonstrates it can happen.” 136
Plunkett also sought to assess the plausibility of short-fall deaths. 137 He reviewed the National Electronic Injury Surveillance
System (NEISS) and determined that, over a twelve-year period (1988-1999), eighteen children had fallen from playground
equipment and subsequently died. 138 Plunkett's data, however, suffer from several limitations. First, Plunkett's study is not
a true systematic review of the short-fall literature. Second, the NEISS database Plunkett reviewed suffers from selectivity
bias. 139 Finally, Plunkett's reported deaths are inaccurate. 140
The Chadwick et al. systematic review of the short-fall literature constitutes level 2a evidence on the CEBM scale, whereas
Plunkett's *226 study constitutes level 3b or 4 evidence.
B. Other Accident Literature
In addition to the short-fall literature, several well-designed prospective studies comparing accidents and abuse cases have
identified clinical variables that can discriminate accidents from abuse case with a high degree of statistical significance.
The strength of these studies lies in their ability to validate prior exploratory studies with good reference standards, thus
constituting level 1b evidence on the CEBM scale. For example, Vinchon et al.'s 2010 prospective series of eighty-four patients
who sustained injuries from either witnessed accidents (N=39) or confessed inflicted head injury (N=45-- obtained from
judicial sources) determined the specificity and positive predictive value of severe RHs for abusive injury to be 97% and 96%,
respectively. 141 This validated Vinchon et al.'s and Bechtel et al.'s prior exploratory prospective studies in 2005 and 2004,
respectively, where the authors found high statistical significance and specificity of more severe RHs for abuse. 142
In enhancing prior research efforts, Hymel et al. developed a national, multi-site research collaborative, Pediatric Brain Injury
Research Network (PediBIRN), that is dedicated to conducting rigorous clinical research on pediatric traumatic brain injury. 143
The strengths of the studies produced by this collaboration include the prospective multicenter design, the breadth and depth of
data capture, and the a priori application of criteria for abusive and non-abusive causes (criteria that are specifically designed to
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minimize circular reasoning and inherent biases). 144 In 2010, the PediBIRN *227 group published the results of its prospective
multicenter study that examined the diagnostic, prognostic, and forensic significance of depth of intracranial injury in accidental
and non-accidental cases. 145 After thoroughly reviewing data on fifty-four children less than three years old at nine sites, the
authors found that children “with sub-cortical injuries (i.e., injuries deeper in the brain) more frequently had been abused” (odds
ratio [OR]: 35.6; P-value <0.001) than had suffered accidents. 146 Although this particular study constitutes level 2b evidence
on the CEBM scale, its rigorous methodology has provided the foundation for the development of emerging higher levels of
evidence--clinical prediction rules. 147
Finally, in 2009, Maguire et al. completed a systematic review of the world's medical literature and identified clinical
features that differentiate accidental from non-accidental head injury in child-ren. 148 The authors conducted “[an] all-language
literature search of [twenty] electronic databases, websites, references, and bibliographies from 1970-2008.” 149 Using over
100 keyword combinations, this yielded 320 studies for review. 150 Applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 151 the
authors determined that fourteen studies were appropriate for inclusion, which represented 1655 children: 779 with inflicted
brain injury (iBI) and 876 with non-inflicted brain injury (niBI). 152 The authors utilized multi-level logistic regression analysis
*228 to arrive at positive predictive values and odds ratios for various clinical features. 153
As a result, the authors found that “apnoea appears to be a critical distinguishing feature (PPV for abuse 93%, OR 17.06).” 154
This means that, in the comparative diagnostic subset of accidental versus non-accidental injury, a child who arrives at the
hospital not breathing is seventeen times more likely to have been abused. Likewise, the authors found retinal hemorrhages
“were strongly associated” with inflicted brain injury, with a PPV of 71% and an OR of 3.5. 155 The authors stated, “[a] child
with an intracranial injury who has co-existent retinal haemorrhages [sic] is significantly more likely to have iBI than niBI.” 156
The authors concluded, “[t]his review is the largest of its kind, and offers for the first time a valid statistical probability of iBI
when certain key features are present (e.g., retinal haemorrhage).” 157 Maguire et al.'s systematic review comprises level 2a
evidence on the CEBM scale.
C. Conclusion
The scientific literature on pediatric accidental injury is robust, sound, and constantly improving. No longer is the isolated case
report 158 (level 4 evidence) or the poorly designed case series 159 (level 4 *229 evidence) a sufficient basis for scientific
conclusions. Currently, there is level 1b and 2a evidence supporting clinicians in the distinction of abusive from accidental injury
when certain clinical features, such as apnea or extensive/severe retinal hemorrhages, are present. And physicians continue
to build upon these data, with hopes of soon attaining the highest level of evidence attainable--level 1a. In a recent analysis,
Maguire et al. estimated the probability of AHT based on six clinical features, reporting that combinations of the above factors
are even more predictive. 160 For example, the authors determined that a child (less than three years old) with a subdural
hematoma plus any three of the following factors: apnea; retinal hemorrhage; rib, skull, or long-bone fractures; seizures; or
head or neck bruising; had a positive predictive value for AHT of greater than 85% and an odds ratio of greater than 100. 161
Armed with such data and analysis, physicians today can confidently conclude that certain infants' injuries are the result of
intentional injury and are not the result of accident. And they do so on the basis of the highest quality medical evidence.
IV. Bleeding Disorders
Bleeding disorders may be proposed as the underlying cause for clinical findings in cases of suspected abusive head trauma
(AHT). Unlike some hypothesized “mimics” of AHT, 162 bleeding disorders are known causes of intracranial hemorrhage
(ICH) and retinal hemorrhage and are a heterogeneous group of conditions that vary in etiology, presenting symptoms, and
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prevalence. 163 All three of these *230 descriptive characteristics must be considered when evaluating the potential for a
bleeding disorder to be the cause of an ICH.
It is important to remember that: 1) only certain bleeding disorders may cause findings that may be confused with AHT;
2) most bleeding disorders are rare; 3) the more common bleeding disorders typically are mild; and 4) ICH resulting from
bleeding disorders is a rare complication of the more severe diseases. 164 The probability of a rare disorder causing an even
rarer manifestation (i.e., ICH) is the main scientific consideration when there is concern for a potential bleeding disorder in a
young child with an ICH and a history of no or minimal trauma. 165
A. Causes (Etiologies) of Bleeding Disorders
Bleeding disorders may be congenital (inherent to the genetic makeup of an individual) or acquired. Congenital bleeding
disorders may cause symptoms from the time prior to birth to anytime throughout a person's lifetime. 166 Bleeding symptoms
may occur at any time and, depending on the severity of the bleeding disorder, may be asymptomatic (without symptoms) for
long periods of time. 167 Acquired bleeding disorders are the result of a condition that is not permanently engendered in a
person. 168 As with congenital bleeding disorders, symptoms may present at variable times during one's life, and their severity
and duration are dependent upon the specific condition. 169
*231 1. Congenital Bleeding Disorders
Examples of congenital bleeding disorders include hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD). There are many other
congenital bleeding disorders, 170 and significant variability exists in the prevalence and presenting symptoms of each of the
bleeding disorders, such that each disorder must be considered individually. A discussion of the specific congenital bleeding
disorders is outside of the purpose and scope of this review. 171
2. Acquired Bleeding Disorders
Acquired bleeding disorders may occur at any age, may be isolated, or may occur due to medications, medical illnesses/
conditions, or trauma. 172 Specific examples include immune throm bocytopenic purpura (ITP), 173 disseminated intravascular
coagulation (DIC), 174 vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), 175 and liver coagulopathy. 176 Often these acquired bleeding
disorders are transient, but *232 some may persist. They either affect platelet number or function or result in a coagulation
factor deficiency.
In large part, a clinician can identify acquired causes of bleeding by taking a careful history, performing a detailed physical
examination, and ordering the appropriate laboratory tests. For example, a variety of medications can lead to platelet
dysfunction (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sodium valproate). 177 A careful medication history can evaluate for
this potential. 178 Other acquired bleeding disorders, such as ITP or other causes of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count),
can be readily diagnosed on the basis of a lab test--a complete blood count (which manifests the low platelet count). 179 DIC
is evident on other laboratory testing--a prolonged prothrombin time (PT), a prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT),
decreased fibrinogen level, and elevated D-Dimer levels. 180 In VKDB, laboratory tests show a prolonged PT and a normal
PTT. 181 When testing for the specific coagulation factors that are dependent on Vitamin K (factors II, VII, IX, and X), they are
markedly decreased. 182 If findings and initial laboratory testing is concerning for VKDB, but vitamin K treatment has already
been provided, measurement of proteins induced by vitamin K absence can confirm the diagnosis. 183
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The prevalence of ICH in people with acquired bleeding disorders is variable but very low. For example, the prevalence of ICH
in patients *233 with idiopathic ITP is <1%. 184 In VKDB, administration of oral vitamin K prophylaxis reduces the incidence
of late VKDB from 4.4-10.5/100,000 live births to 1.5-6.4/100,000 live births, and all patients with VKDB do not have ICH. 185
B. Symptoms of Bleeding Disorders
Although bleeding disorders, by definition, cause bleeding, the manifestations of bleeding disorders vary based upon location on
the body, frequency, and severity. Some bleeding disorders, such as the mild platelet abnormalities and VWD, generally cause
mild symptoms, such as mouth and/or nose bleeding or mild skin bruising. 186 Often, mild platelet abnormalities and VWD
cause no symptoms at all. 187 More severe conditions, such as some types of hemophilia, often cause severe joint bleeding
and may cause ICH. 188
When young children present with ICH and no history of trauma or a history of a minor trauma, one must consider a bleeding
disorder as the underlying cause. ICH occurs more frequently in some bleeding disorders, very rarely in others, and either
exceedingly rarely or not at all in other bleeding disorders. 189 As will be discussed below, the prevalence of each bleeding
disorder and the prevalence of ICH within the population of people with that specific bleeding disorder may be used to identify a
testing scheme to evaluate for bleeding disorders as a cause of ICH. However, prior to using the existing *234 data to construct
an evidence-based approach to evaluating for bleeding disorders in the setting of alleged AHT, it is necessary to first examine
the data for validity and applicability.
C. Sources of Data
Nearly all of the existing data regarding bleeding disorders and ICH have been culled from large databases, such as the Universal
Data Collection (UDC) database project of the Centers for Disease Control. 190 The UDC was established in 1997 to monitor
the safety of the blood supply in the United States and to track the incidence and consequences of joint complications in patients
with bleeding disorders. 191 The UDC and other similar databases were not constructed to guide forensic evaluations regarding
possible AHT and bleeding disorders. As a result, the details of the bleeding symptoms in the databases have not been collected
in a fashion that would be preferable for forensic purposes. 192 For example, specifics such as trauma history, location of ICH
(subarachnoid/subdural, etc.), and external evidence of trauma have not been collected. However, this does not eliminate the
utility of the UDC and other databases in forensic consideration.
The existing scientific literature generated from these hematology databases is useful in determining the prevalence of particular
bleeding disorders in our population and the probability of a particular bleeding disorder to cause ICH in general. Even in the
absence of large studies evaluating the forensic implications of *235 bleeding disorders, the existing literature of case series
and case reports is valuable. 193 In the largest study examining non-accidental injury and bleeding disorders, Jackson et al.
documented presentations of bleeding disorders over a ten-year period at a large pediatric center. 194 After excluding patients
diagnosed at birth with a bleeding disorder, 15.3% of all children with bleeding disorders presented in a manner that may be
confused with abuse, including genital and buttock bruising, bruising in immobile infants, and ICH. 195 Five children in the
study were involved with the legal or child protection system due to bleeding/bruising. 196 The authors concluded that bleeding
disorders can present in a manner that is “clinically indistinguishable from abuse.” 197
However, of note, only two children over the study's ten-year interval presented with ICH, both of whom were older than
one year of age, had obvious evidence of impact (skull fractures), and VWD. 198 The authors were unable to determine if the
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findings in these cases were due to abuse or accidental impact. 199 There were no cases of spontaneous ICH (with no evidence
of impact) in the study. 200 This suggests that spontaneous ICH due to a bleeding disorder is an extremely rare event.
*236 D. Testing for and Probability of Bleeding Disorders in the Setting of ICH
Studies have evaluated the use of screening questions and family history in the detection of bleeding disorders. 201 Negative
screens (i.e., the family or child has no history of easy bleeding/bruising) are not effective ways of ruling out a bleeding
disorder. 202 Similarly, statements such as “my child bruises easily” or a family history of “easy bruising” do not rule out abuse
as a cause of bleeding in a child. 203 Thus, when clinicians consider the potential need for testing for bleeding disorders, in the
absence of a known, named bleeding disorder in the child or family, the family history of bleeding/ bruising is of limited use.
When ordering laboratory tests for clinical or forensic reasons, clinicians must ask, “What is the potential for a positive test
result?” and “How is the result of this test going to change my forensic impression or patient management?” If the potential for
a positive test result is microscopically small or if a positive test result does not change the clinical impression/diagnosis, there
is very little value in sending the test. For instance, the prevalence of Factor 2 (pro-thrombin) deficiency (one per one million
people) and frequency of ICH within the population of people with Factor 2 (prothrombin) deficiency (11%) make testing for
Factor 2 (prothrombin) deficiency of extremely low value on cases of suspected AHT. 204
Because there is a remote potential for a bleeding disorder presenting as ICH, clinicians often consider evaluating for such
in cases of possible AHT. 205 However, when clinically assessing a particular child, the entire set of clinical and historical
findings must be *237 considered together. 206 If a child has other findings that are highly suggestive of violent trauma (e.g.,
fractures) or other findings that are unrelated to bleeding disorders, it is reasonable to exclude testing for bleeding disorders. 207
An evaluation for bleeding disorders is generally performed if a child has ICH with no readily apparent explanation or with no
other evidence strongly suggesting abuse (e.g., unexplained fractures, witnessed abuse, patterned bruising) as this may rarely
be the presenting manifestation of a bleeding disorder. 208
A basic tenet of practicing evidenced-based medicine is that actual evidence rather than hypotheses can be used to guide
clinical decision making. 209 Hypothetical considerations without proven cause-effect linkage to ICH, such as vaccines 210
and “choking episodes,” 211 cannot be considered evidence-based medicine. Thus, testing for histamine levels or vitamin C
levels based on a hypothesis that vaccines induce ICH by altering levels of those factors is not grounded in scientific, evidence-
based practice. 212 Such hypotheses should be tested by rigorous prospective research prior to being offered as an explanation
for ICH in a legal setting.
When deciding on which tests to order to evaluate for a bleeding disorder as the cause of ICH in a young child, clinicians
can access the existing data on the prevalence of specific bleeding disorders and the prevalence of ICH due to those specific
bleeding disorders. If the prevalence of a condition and the frequency of a particular presentation of that condition are known, a
physician can construct the probability of that specific condition (bleeding disorder) resulting in the specific presentation (ICH):
*238 PTP(B) = P(A) x P(B|A) 213
For example, severe VWD is extremely rare, occurring at an upper-limit estimated population prevalence of 1 per 300,000
people. 214 Up to four percent of people with severe VWD initially present with a “head bleed,” including both ICH and
extracranial (scalp or facial) bleeding. 215 Thus, the estimated probability that a person will get an ICH due to severe VWD is:
(Prevalence of severe VWD) x (Prevalence of ICH in severe VWD)
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(1/300,000) x (0.04) = 1/7.5 million
The calculated probability, in this instance, is actually an overestimate of severe VWD causing subdural hemorrhage (SDH)
because the calculated probability pertains to not only all ICH (SDH, subarachnoid hemorrhages, and epidural hematomas and
parenchymal bleeding 216 ), but scalp and facial bleeding as well. Additionally, spontaneous SDH (i.e., those not resulting from
trauma) is a subset of all SDHs. Thus, it is reasonable for a clinician to conclude that the chances a young child will suffer SDH
(either spontaneously or as a result of trauma) from a previously undiagnosed, severe VWD are exceedingly small.
Similar probabilities can be calculated for any bleeding disorder in which: 1) the prevalence of the condition is known and 2)
the *239 prevalence of ICH within the condition is known (See Table 1, infra).
Table 2: Probabilities for Congenital Coagulopathies to Cause ICH a,b 217
TABULAR OR GRAPHIC MATERIAL SET FORTH AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE
*240 a The probability of having a specific bleeding disorder increases in the setting of a family history of that specific-named
bleeding disorder or if the patient is from an ethnicity in which a specific bleeding disorder is more common (e.g., Ashkenazi
Jewish people and factor XI deficiency).
b
“Probability” indicates the probability that an individual in the general population would have the following specific
coagulopathy causing an intracranial hemorrhage.
For instance, the two most common severe congenital bleeding disorders, Factor 8 and Factor 9 deficiencies (two forms of
hemo-philia), have probabilities for ICH of 1 per 50,000 males and 1 per 200,000 males, respectively. 218 The probability of
Factor 13 deficiency causing an ICH is 1 per 6 million, largely due to the rarity of Factor 13 deficiency. 219 This means that,
in the population in general, a single person's risk of having an ICH due to Factor 13 deficiency is 1 in 6 million.
Ordering tests to evaluate for every bleeding disorder is generally impractical due to the statistical implausibility of many of the
bleeding disorders causing ICH. In fact, many conditions have a probability of causing ICH so low as to preclude calculation.
However, these probabilities can be used to identify the need for tests to be ordered if a child's findings may reasonably be caused
by a bleeding disorder. Thus, physicians may order tests with higher (relatively speaking) probabilities, such as evaluating for
conditions that have a probability higher than or equal to 1 in 5 million, for instance. If negative test results are obtained, the
post-test probability of one of the tested bleeding disorders is essentially zero.
E. Special Considerations
Two bleeding disorders have particular potential to create confusion or pose a diagnostic challenge in the evaluation of possible
*241 AHT--von Willebrand disease and mild platelet disorders.
1. Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
VWD is the most common congenital bleeding disorder. 220 It most commonly presents with mild to moderate bleeding from
the nose or mouth, bruising, or heavy bleeding during a woman's menstrual period. 221 It is generally classified in terms of
von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels and the type of functional defect affecting the VWF protein. 222 Type 1 disease results
from an absolute decrease in the VWF protein and is the most common. 223 Type 3 is characterized by nearly absent levels of
VWF as well as low factor 8 and is the most severe version of VWD. 224 There are also a number of qualitative abnormalities
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resulting in variable bleeding manifest-ations (types 2A, 2B, 2M, and 2N). 225 Testing for VWD can be complicated and often
requires consultation with a pediatric hematologist. 226
The current prevalence of VWD is difficult to determine, 227 as recent consensus changes have resulted in more specific
diagnostic criteria. 228 Per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the *242 most recent criteria for diagnosis requires
VWF levels <30% (normal range 50-200%), resulting in fewer individuals with levels below the normal range meeting
diagnostic criteria. 229 Current estimates indicate that low VWF levels may occur in up to 1% of the U.S. population. 230
However, since many persons with VWD do not manifest symptoms, the prevalence of symptomatic persons with VWD is
currently best estimated at 23-113 per million or 0.0023-0.01% of the U.S. population. 231
Additionally, and more importantly, ICH as the presenting finding of severe VWD is extremely rare (upper limit of probability
of 1 per 7.5 million people). 232 Mild VWD is much more common than severe VWD, but the prevalence of ICH within people
with mild VWD is unknown. 233 Because low VWF levels are relatively common, it is certain that testing for VWD will be
positive in a small percentage of children with findings concerning for AHT.
In nearly all cases, where VWD is mild, it often does not cause any symptoms until a hemostatic challenge, like the removal of
teeth. 234 A review of the peer-reviewed literature in humans on ICH due to VWD reveals four published cases of spontaneous
ICH in adults. 235 None of these cases involved subdural hemorrhage. 236 The peer-reviewed medical literature evaluating mild
trauma and VWD in humans contains only a few published case reports and case series of VWD complicating mild or more
severe trauma in mobile children or *243 adults. 237 Only one of these cases involved subdural hemorrhage--that case being
a four-year-old child who suffered an impact to the head. 238 There are currently no scientific data to support the hypothesis
that VWD is a cause of spontaneous ICH in young, immobile children. And the best current scientific literature supports the
conclusion that VWD may very rarely contribute to bleeding complications in mild head trauma.
The clinician is posed with a diagnostic challenge when the historical and clinical findings are consistent with AHT, but
laboratory testing shows low VWF levels. Some individuals have concluded that laboratory tests consistent with VWD
essentially eliminate the consideration of AHT. 239 Others have been more balanced, stating that “[t]he significance of von
Willebrand disease as a possible contributory factor in infants with subdural and retinal hemorrhages should be further
addressed.” 240 The notion that laboratory testing consistent with VWD “rules out” AHT as a diagnosis is not only irrational
(as the presence of VWD does not protect a child from AHT), but is also unsupported by the scientific literature. 241
*244 2. Mild Platelet Disorders
Congenital platelet disorders can result in fewer platelets, abnormal function of platelets, or a combination of the two. 242 Mild
congenital platelet disorders include Quebec platelet disorder, the MYH9 related disorders, Scott syndrome, Hermansky-Pudlak
syndrome, Chediak-Higashi syndrome, and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. 243 Specific testing for platelet function is required
to detect these disorders. 244 Most bleeding with these disorders is mild and manifests as excessive bruising or menorrhagia
(heavy menstrual periods). 245
The exact prevalence of mild platelet disorders is unknown. 246 The probability of mild platelet disorders causing ICH is also
unknown but is likely very low given the typical clinical manifestations. 247 Much like VWD, if specific testing is performed
in children with suspected abusive ICH, it is likely that a small number of children will have laboratory results indicative of
a mild platelet disorder. 248 In these cases, laboratory results do not rule out AHT, as there are currently no scientific data to
support the hypothesis that mild platelet disorders have caused a spontaneous ICH. 249
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Rare severe congenital platelet disorders, such as Bernard-Soulier *245 syndrome (BSS) and Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT)
are known causes of ICH. 250 In both of these disorders, significant mucocutaneous bleeding and ICH have been reported,
although ICH is rare, occurring in only 0.3-2% of patients with GT and even less in those with BSS. 251 Screening for these
disorders may be accomplished using the Platelet Function Analyzer test (PFA-100). 252
F. Conclusion
The evaluation of level of evidence for the probability that a bleeding disorder caused an ICH is a “symptom prevalence”
question. The most recent Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence ratings 253 do not address these
types of questions. However, the 2009 version of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine does address “symptom
prevalence” questions and is an appropriate evaluation tool. 254 There are a large number of studies evaluating the potential for
ICH in patients with specific bleeding disorders with variable levels of evidence.
Any studies based on prospective registries, such as the Universal Data Collection of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the North American Rare Bleeding Disorder Registry, qualify as “1b” according to the 2009 Oxford levels. 255
Most other studies on the subject are best classified as 1c and 2b. Any individual claiming that an ICH might be the result of
a “bleeding disorder” should specify which bleeding dis-order is of concern, the general prevalence of that bleeding disorder
*246 in the population, and the probability that that specific bleeding disorder causes ICH.
V. Biomechanics
Classical mechanics began with the work of Isaac Newton in the late 1600s. 256 Beginning with a few simple equations,
engineers can predict how many objects will respond to various forces. 257 One branch of mechanics, biomechanics, concerns
itself with “the scientific study of mechanics in biological systems.” 258
In contrast to the observational, clinical studies noted in the accidents section above, biomechanics is fundamentally an
experimental discipline. Biomechanical engineers, like all responsible scientists, are unwilling to injure living children in the
course of an experiment. Instead, engineers employ a number of approximations, ranging from animals to constructed “crash
test dummies” to finite element analysis (FEA). Each of these techniques has some value, and none is perfect. The best scientific
insight results from a careful consideration of the strengths and limitations of all available information.
Traumatic brain injury can result from either inertial (a rapid head acceleration-deceleration that produces injurious brain
deformation) or contact (where impact produces local brain deformations) mechanisms. 259 Although rapid brain acceleration
can proceed in either linear or rotational directions, it is actually high angular accelerations and velocity that are often correlated
with intracranial hemorrhage and severe brain injury. 260
*247 Traditionally, biomechanical analysis of head injury in infants and children assumed that infants and young children
responded like small adults. 261 Using an engineering approach called “dimensional analysis,” it was assumed that critical
inertial loading conditions for severe brain injuries (such as SDHs or diffuse axonal injury) could be scaled from adults to
infants based solely upon brain mass. 262 However, recent biomechanical studies 263 have shown what pediatricians have
long argued --that children are not small adults. Multiple differences--in tissue composition, brain and skull properties, and
brain vulnerability--between adults and children have prompted scientists to interpret biomechanical studies that utilize scaling
approaches with caution. 264
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The biomechanics of AHT/SBS is a comprehensive and complex topic. A few biomechanical questions are frequently
encountered in AHT/SBS. We will summarize the scientific literature pertinent to those questions. For a more comprehensive
discussion of the topic, we refer the reader to additional literature. 265
Question 1: Does the biomechanical literature suggest that shaking
alone cannot cause SDH or serious brain injury in children?
As Narang mentioned in his first article, when traumatic, SDHs are caused by rupture of the bridging veins in the brain. 266
Early biomechanical work by Gennarelli and Thibault in primates revealed a strong association of SDH with elongation of the
bridging veins beyond their strain tolerances when the primate brains moved relative to their skulls during sudden acceleration-
deceleration *248 events. 267 In 1987, Duhaime et al. published a biomechanical study of shaken baby syndrome in which the
authors shook a constructed model infant. 268 Duhaime suggested that impact was necessary to cause SDH because shaking
alone achieved maximum velocities and accelerations that were well below the thresholds for SDH (that were scaled from adult
primates) and impact exceeded those thresholds. 269 This study created a tide of misplaced sentiment that shaking alone could
not cause significant injury in infants and children. 270
Scientific critique of the Duhaime study has highlighted the importance of biofidelity in doll models. Cory and Jones 271 found
that making just minimal adjustments to Duhaime's model (such as altering the center of gravity in the head) created a model
in which manual shaking did exceed injury thresholds in eight out of ten trials. 272 Wolfson et al.'s FEM study determined
that slight modifications of the stiffness and hinge used in the model's neck dramatically altered the rotational accelerations
and velocities achieved. 273 These studies underscore the principle that even the slightest variation in the experimental model
can result in aberrant data.
Further studies have shown that other factors not considered in Duhaime's study also affect the likelihood of injury. Eucker
showed that the direction of head rotation (back and forth versus side to *249 side.) affects likelihood of injury. 274 Prins et
al. suggested that both adult and infant brains are increasingly susceptible to repetitive injury (i.e., implying a cumulative effect
of injury). 275 Finally, Kochanek and colleagues have mounted evidence that biochemical and metabolic responses to brain
injury are significantly different in the young infant compared to the older child or adult. 276
In 2003, Prange et al. performed an updated version of Duhaime's study. 277 Like Duhaime's prior study, Prange et al. compared
biomechanical forces achieved from shaking and shaking with impact (which ended with forceful impact onto a rigid or padded
surface but without throwing the model). 278 The authors concluded that “[v]igorous shakes of this infant model produced
rotational responses similar to those resulting from minor falls, but inflicted impacts produced responses that were significantly
higher than even a 1.5-meter fall onto concrete.” 279
Contrasting Duhaime's and Prange's findings, a host of biomechanical studies have yielded different conclusions. In an FEM
study by Roth et al., the authors questioned whether angular acceleration--the value for which Duhaime and Prange compared
injury thresholds--could accurately predict injury. 280 Roth et al. re-created the injury events in the Prange study using a
computational *250 model. 281 In spite of dramatic differences in rotational acceleration, shaking and impact created similar
strain on the bridging veins. 282 Because shaking and impact cause similar strains on the bridging veins, it is not unreasonable
to expect similar injuries to result. 283
A valuable FEM study by Morison examined the protective effect of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on intracranial injury. 284 The
CSF is an important but difficult to model structure that is notably absent from Duhaime's and Prange's models. 285 Morison
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demonstrated that the CSF dampens brain acceleration to 0.13-1.00% of translational skull acceleration but does not protect
the brain from rotational acceleration. 286 Duhaime's and Prange's studies did not incorporate or study Morison's assertion that
cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain against a short fall but not from shaking.
Finally, Finnie et al. studied shaking in actual living animals. 287 The authors grasped 7-10-day-old lambs under the axilla and
vigorously shook them. 288 The lamb model was selected principally because it has a relatively large gyrencephalic brain, large
head, and weak neck muscles resembling a human infant. 289 No lamb suffered *251 impact to the head. 290 Each lamb was
shaken ten times for thirty seconds. 291 This methodology was based upon perpetrator confessions that indicate that repeated
and violent shaking is common in AHT. 292 Two of the seven lambs shaken in this manner suffered small SDHs, 293 and
two lambs had minor retinal hemorrhages. 294 Shaken lambs showed significantly more damage on microscopic examination
compared to lambs that were not shaken. 295
To honestly answer the question whether shaking alone can cause SDH and/or severe brain injury, the answer must assess all
of the studies mentioned above, not just the Duhaime study of 1987. As discussed above, numerous authors have identified
variables not considered by Duhaime that are important determinants of injury. Perhaps the most pointed criticism of these
anthropometric model studies for determining injuries from shaking comes from the Prange paper itself:
These injury projections should be interpreted with caution, because differences in species, age,
material properties, geometry, and direction make scaling experimental angular acceleration and velocity
measurements to infants problematic when based on differences in brain mass alone. To avoid the
limitations of using scaled loads from animal and cadaver experiments to investigate real life events, case
studies of minor falls in infants were also used to examine injuries that occur as a result of falling from
different heights. Unfortunately, these falls are rarely witnessed, load measurements of the event are lacking,
contact surface information is rarely given, and the population studied generally includes a broad age range,
rather than just newborns. 296
In conclusion, in pediatric head injury, it must be remembered *252 that there are no human data on load tolerances 297 causing
SDHs. What has been presented above is that the biomechanical literature does not offer a definitive “yes” or “no” answer to
the widely debated question of whether shaking alone can cause SDHs. Some literature demonstrates it can occur, while other
literature disputes it. It is clear, however, that continued assertion of the principle--that biomechanics clearly demonstrates that
SDHs and/or serious brain injury cannot result from shaking--is disingenuous and scientifically irresponsible.
Question 2: Does biomechanics show that injurious shaking would necessarily cause catastrophic neck injury?
A 2005 paper by Bandak is widely cited as additional biomechanical evidence supporting the proposition that shaking alone
cannot cause the injuries noted in AHT. 298 In that paper, Bandak proposed that shaking sufficient to cause brain injury would
necessitate devastating injuries to the cervical spine. 299 Bandak's paper is purely analytic; meaning, rather than conducting
original experiments, the purpose of the study was to reinterpret previously published data. 300 Reinterpretation of published
data is a valid study design and is the design of several of the studies discussed previously.
Bandak relied upon Jenny's 301 reports of rotational acceleration and Duhaime's 302 report of rotational velocities from adults
shaking a model infant. 303 Using these data, Bandak computed the amount of *253 force experienced by the neck during these
shaking events. 304 Bandak's computed forces greatly exceeded prior estimates of neck tensile strength in several animals. 305
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Because children with AHT are frequently not noted to have severe neck injuries, Bandak concluded that a reevaluation of
AHT is needed. 306
This work has suffered much scientific criticism. Three of the four studies of neck tensile strength 307 do not involve humans
and were presented with an explicit condition that they were preliminary and not to be used as references. 308 The remaining
article 309 studied static rather than dynamic loads imposed by a shaking baby. 310 Other authors noted that neck injury is
actually not as rare in AHT as Bandak asserted. 311
The most serious criticism, however, is that Bandak's computations are simply incorrect. Stated simply, Bandak's math
is wrong. This is especially notable because a purely analytic study should be perfectly replicable. 312 When nine other
scientists (including two well-reputed biomechanical engineers whom Bandak himself cited in his original paper) attempted to
repeat Bandak's mathematics, they found numerous *254 gross errors. 313 When these scientists repeated the computations
themselves, they found that the correct value for every single neck force was at least ten times lower than the values reported. 314
They determined that the corrected values do not exceed the threshold for neck injury. 315 Confirming Bandak's errors, a second
group of scientists independently attempted to replicate Bandak's work and produced results identical to the first. 316
In his response, Bandak admitted that the reported values did not result from the equations published in the paper. 317 Bandak
suggested instead that he “basically integrated the [AHT] accelerations over the time duration of shaking,” 318 without providing
any of the equations, data, or assumptions necessary to replicate the work. 319 So, when asked to produce a single “worked
example” demonstrating how the reported forces could be computed, Bandak failed to do so.
Replication is a fundamental mechanism by which scientific validity is achieved. A work that cannot be replicated isn't bad
science--it isn't science at all. Bandak's suggestion that shaking sufficient to cause injury would necessarily cause neck injury is
a prime example of how invalid biomechanical data have been misused in court. 320 Further reliance upon these data or citation
to this work should be avoided.
Question 3: Has biomechanics shown that skull fractures are likely *255 to result from a short fall?
As discussed in the Accident section above, short-distance falls are a common presenting history in children thought to be
physically abused. 321 Several studies have demonstrated that the fetal and infant cranial bone increases in stiffness with age. 322
Coats and Margulies studied the material properties of infant cranial bone and suture in order to better predict the outcome of
infant falls. 323 They obtained donated skull and suture materials from twenty-three fetuses and infants ranging from twenty-
one weeks of gestation to thirteen months of age. 324 The authors measured the elastic modulus 325 in infants and found that
the adult cranial bone modulus was thirty times higher (less deformable) than a one-month-old infant's. 326 A one year old's
cranial bone modulus was eighteen times higher (less deformable) than a one-month-old infant's. 327 Additionally, the pediatric
suture 328 deforms 30 times more than pediatric skull bone and 243 times more than adult bone before *256 rupture. 329 These
large strains in the pediatric skull and suture may result in large-scale deformation upon impact and explain the diminished
frequency of intracranial injury with short falls.
Weber, a German pathologist, conducted two studies on infant cadavers in order to see how frequently fractures would occur
on a variety of surfaces at changing table height. 330 In the first study, the cadavers of fifteen infants, no older than 8.2 months
of age, were dropped (five each) from eighty-two centimeters (thirty-two inches) onto a stone-tile floor, a carpeted floor, and
linoleum backed with foam flooring. 331 All of the infants had pathologic conditions that did not involve the head, and no skull
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fractures existed before testing, neither on palpation nor on skull radiographs. 332 All the subjects made simultaneous contact
with their back and parieto(side)-occipital(back) region of the head. 333 All fifteen of the cadavers sustained fractures and, in
three cases, linear fractures crossed suture lines. 334
In his second paper, Weber tested an additional thirty-five cadavers with age ranges from newborn to 9.1 months at time of
death. 335 Ten were dropped in the same manner and at the same height (thirty-two inches) onto a foam mat two centimeters
thick and twenty-five were dropped onto a doubly folded blanket eight centimeters thick. 336 One of the ten (10%) infants
dropped onto the rubber mat sustained parietal (side of the head) fractures that did not cross *257 sutures. 337 However, four
out of twenty-five (16%) infants dropped onto the blanket sustained parietal skull fractures. 338
However, in contrast to Weber's data, Snyder et al. found different results. 339 Using newspaper clippings to screen for cases of
free-falls in a six-state area, investigators were sent out to verify that the falls were, in fact, free-falls unimpeded from reaching
the landing site by intervening obstacles and that the landing site had not changed since the time of the fall (e.g., construction
or destruction of a building, change in soil or sand consistency due to significant rains). 340 One-hundred-ten free-fall cases
were thoroughly investigated (age, biometrics, height of fall, landing surface, initial landing posture, and medical outcome). 341
Twelve cases were subsequently simulated in detail, using a computer simulation (MVMA 2-D Crash Victim Simulator, Version
3) that had been validated. 342 Seven of the twelve simulations involved head-first impacts; among these were five children
who were younger than four years old and who fell 10'6” -34'2” . 343 All of these children had skull fractures, concussion, or
both. 344 Upon examination of injuries as a function of impact surface for head-first fall cases, only one child who fell from
a height of approximately twelve feet did not have a skull fracture. 345 Snyder concluded that the tolerances for skull fracture
in infants and toddlers without pathology were between 4-10 feet (i.e., after a four-foot fall some would have a fracture, and
after a ten-foot fall virtually all would have a skull fracture). 346
*258 Bertocci et al. used an anthropometric model to simulate a three-year-old child rolling off a twenty-seven-inch “bed” onto
playground foam, carpet, linoleum, and wood. 347 Despite acknowledging “a paucity of injury criteria for children,” Bertocci
concluded that the risk of a contact head injury (essentially a skull fracture) resulting from a short rolling fall is “low.” 348
Coats and Margulies conducted a finite element model (FEM) study using parametric simulations of occipital impacts to predict
the likelihood of occipital or parietal skull fractures. 349 The authors found that elements arrays one standard deviation above
the mean ultimate stress of occipital or parietal bone gave an 84.1% chance of occipital or parietal fracture. 350 At three standard
deviations above the mean ultimate stress of the parietal bone, there was a 99.8% likelihood that the parietal bone would
fracture. 351 They found such a condition at the equivalent of an eighty-two centimeter fall onto concrete and concluded that
they had good validation with Weber (1984, 1985). 352
The accident literature quoted earlier also suggests that short falls can result in skull fractures but at rates far less than those
*259 reported by Weber. 353
Thus, the biomechanical literature demonstrates that short falls can result in skull fractures. However, in spite of Weber's data, it
would be unreasonable to suggest that all, or even a majority, of short falls cause skull fractures because multiple, well-designed
clinical studies document that the vast majority of short falls do not result in a skull fracture.
Question 4: Has biomechanics shown that SDHs are likely to result from a short fall?
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The Prange study mentioned above simulated a child being dropped onto concrete, carpet, and a foam mattress. 354 For the
drop experiments, the model was suspended at 0.3 meters (one foot), 0.9 meters (three feet), and 1.5 meters (five feet) over the
landing surface. 355 The model was suspended with the head slightly below the remainder of the body, such that the head would
strike the ground first. 356 The investigators concluded that 0.3-meter falls were unlikely to cause subdural hematomas but were
unable to comment on the likelihood of injury in the 0.9-meter and 1.5-meter falls due to uncertainty about injury tolerances. 357
Thompson et al. simulated a twelve-month-old child falling feet first onto wood, carpet, playground foam, linoleum over wood,
and linoleum over concrete. 358 They simulated falls from zero, nine, and twenty-nine inches, measured from the dummy's
feet. 359 The authors concluded “the risk of severe head injury for a [twelve]-month-old *260 child in feet-first free falls across
all tested surfaces and heights was low.” 360 A similar study by some of the same authors comparing falls onto wet linoleum
to dry linoleum found similarly low risks for femur (large bone in the upper part of the leg) fracture or head injury. 361
In another study, Thompson et al. visited the homes of children who presented to the hospital for treatment after an accidental
short fall. 362 The investigators specifically excluded cases where there was concern for possible child abuse. 363 Similar to prior
studies, the experimenters found serious injuries to be rare and found no critical or life-threatening injuries. 364 Additionally, the
surface the child fell on, pre-fall position, post-fall position, and motion prior to the fall all failed to demonstrate a statistically
significant effect on injury severity resulting from the fall. 365
The short-fall reconstruction articles cited here represent a field in its infancy. They represent reconstructions of only a handful
of seemingly limitless permutations of fall height, impact surface, initial position, fall biomechanics, and dummy characteristics
that are involved in simulating a short fall. Ongoing and future research on the topic will most likely refine our current knowledge
on the specific biomechanical parameters that will cause SDHs.
Question 5: Does the biomechanics literature show that shaking can cause retinal hemorrhages?
Rangarajan et al. constructed an FEM of an infant eye based on *261 head CTs of six normal, young children. 366 The model
showed that rhythmic shaking significantly increases the stress on the retina. 367 The strongest forces were found at the posterior
pole and the periphery. 368 Notably, as Narang discussed in his first article, this is where retinal hemorrhages in AHT are often
found. 369
A similar model by Hans et al. demonstrated that force on the retina during a single shaking incident is about thirteen times
that of a short fall with a head impact. 370 A four-cycle shaking event produces forces on the retina fifty times that of a short
fall. 371 The forces on the retina exceeded the adhesive strength of adult monkey retinas for the shaking, but not the short fall
simulations. 372 These results coincide with clinical studies suggesting that retinal hemorrhages are more common in inflicted
than accidental trauma.
Despite these findings, some learned biomechanical engineers suggest caution in interpreting these FEM studies. 373 They note
that material properties, tissue-tissue interactions, and injury tolerances have not been measured or published for the pediatric
eye. 374 They comment that, as with all biomechanical studies, a finite element analysis is only as good as its inputs and
“inaccuracy of these inputs will yield fallacious outputs.” 375
*262 Animal studies have wrought further data on this topic. Coats et al. subjected 3-5-day-old piglets to a single, abrupt head
rotation using a mechanical apparatus. 376 The piglets were kept alive for six hours, euthanized, and then autopsied. 377 Out
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of fifty-one animals, four (eight percent) had retinal hemorrhages. 378 Similarly, as mentioned above, Finnie et al. noted minor
retinal hemorrhages in two of seven sheep who were manually shaken. 379
In summary, as with biomechanical studies on short falls, the data are preliminary and limited but enlightening. The current
state of knowledge is that biomechanical studies support clinical evidence that retinal hemorrhages can be caused by shaking.
Conclusion
Scientists have a peculiar fondness for data. Data are the recorded results of the most fundamental scientific skill: careful
observation. Good science welcomes valid data of all kinds and from all disciplines--dropping test dummies in a lab, shaking
immature animals, and counting injured children as they come through the ER. The wise scientist recognizes that all data are
flawed in some way. However, data are not discarded upon the identification of a single flaw. They are assessed in totality while
carefully balancing the limitations of those data and, consequently, according appropriate weight to the compilation of all data.
The biomechanical literature discussed here is in its infancy and, in spite of its flaws, is useful and informative. For anyone
to assert blanket superiority of one type of data over another type (such as clinical data) is not just scientifically irresponsible;
it is scientifically arrogant.
*263 VI. Hypoxia
As noted earlier, one of the alternative explanations proposed for the findings seen in victims of AHT is “hypoxia.” Broadly,
the term “hypoxia” is used to refer to a low level of oxygen in the body. 380 As a plastic condition, hypoxia's impact on the body
depends upon a number of factors, 381 but broadly, it is important to think of hypoxia as both magnitude and duration. A small
amount of hypoxia (slightly lower level of oxygen in the body) for a long duration has a very different effect on the body than
profound hypoxia for a short duration. 382 It is important to recognize that “hypoxia” is not a single clinical or physiological
entity and to speak of it as such is at best imprecise, and at worst simply wrong. This must be borne in mind as we unpack the
role of “hypoxia” as a potential explanation for the finding seen in AHT.
For the past decade, some authors have proposed that “thin film” SDH, retinal hemorrhages, and acute encephalopathy (brain
injury) can all be explained as being caused by hypoxia alone absent trauma. 383 Evolving from the hypoxia theory have been
two adjunct hypotheses: (1) “dysphagic” choking 384 and (2) cervical spine (neck) injury 385 as causative of hypoxia, and thus,
of the findings seen in *264 AHT. We will now review the published reports and clinical data used to support these proposals,
often referred to as the “Unified Theory.” It is important to note that in much of the literature used to support the hypoxia
hypothesis, hypoxia as a clinical entity is undefined, making true analysis and comparison imprecise at best and misleading
at worst.
A. Geddes and the Unified Theory
One of the cornerstones of the Hypoxia Hypothesis is a series of three papers by the British neuropathologist Dr. Jennian
Geddes. 386 These have been often characterized as “Geddes 1,” 387 “Geddes 2,” 388 and “Geddes 3.” 389 Broadly, they are
used to characterize the “Unified Theory” of hypoxia as the main (or sole) cause of the spectrum of findings associated with
AHT. We will now describe them in some detail, as they are misunderstood by many and, thus, are often improperly cited.
Geddes 1:
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In 2000, Geddes and colleagues published a descriptive report on a non-sequential series of infant and child fatalities. 390 Given
the paucity of prior published literature on the topic, the authors sought to analyze and report upon the neuropathologic findings
in fifty-three cases of infants and children who had suffered inflicted brain injury. 391 They identified this cohort of fatalities
using very similar *265 criteria, 392 which many other authors and investigators have in the past and still currently utilize. 393
The investigators were not blinded to the cause or manner of death, nor were they blinded to the neuropathologic findings. 394
All clinical and legal records were reviewed and all brains were similarly systematically sampled and stained. 395
Of these fifty-three subjects, thirty-seven were infants (under one year of age). 396 Half (n=27, 51%) had significant extracranial
injuries e.g., burns, bruising, and/or fractures. 397 The majority (n=45, 85%) had signs of impact, including nineteen (36%)
with skull fractures. 398 The authors reported that forty-four (81%) had subdural hemorrhage (SDH) with thirty-four being
“thin film” (which was not defined by the authors). 399 Of the thirty-eight subjects in which a pathologist examined the eyes,
the authors report that twenty-seven (71%) had retinal hemorrhages. 400 When compared with those without SDH, the authors
reported that the presence of RH was statistically significantly *266 associated with the presence of SDH (p <0.001). 401 The
authors reported that of the ten subjects without SDH, five did not have RH. 402 However, they also reported that they examined
the retinas in only half of the subjects without SDH. 403
In eight subjects that the authors called “shaken-only” by virtue of the absence of findings of cranial impact, five (of the six with
examined eyes) had RH and seven presented with collapse or respiratory arrest. 404 The authors reported the most common
microscopic finding was “global neuronal hypoxiaischaemia,” seen in 84% of the infants and 63% of the older children. 405
Only three (6%) of the subjects had diffuse axonal injury. 406 The authors found no differences between the pathologies of
subjects with and without evidence of impact. 407 The authors reported three significant clinical differences between infants and
older children in their cohort: 1) infants had more apnea, 408 2) infants had fewer extracranial (outside the skull) injuries, 409
and 3) infants had less subscalpular bruising (evidence of head impact). 410
Geddes 2:
In their second paper, the same authors selected the same thirty-seven infants from their previous cohort, to which they added
fourteen *267 “control” infants for comparison. 411 The control group was a non-sequential group of infants who apparently
died from non-abusive causes. 412 The authors reported on the intracranial histology 413 of these subjects and compared them
with the infants utilized in their earlier cohort. 414 Again, the authors were blinded neither to the clinical information nor to
the ultimate histopathologic findings. 415
The authors reported that, of the thirty-seven cases of abusive head trauma (AHT), twenty-five (68%) had evidence of #APP
staining (a stain conventionally associated with traumatic injury) 416 in axons. 417 None of the control infants were reported to
have #APP staining identified in their brains. 418 They also reported that twenty-nine (78%) of the cases of AHT had widespread
hypoxic neuronal injury, while only one infant (7%) in the control group had histologic evidence of severe hypoxia. 419 As
noted earlier, twenty-one infant cases of AHT (70% of those examined) had bilateral RH and nine cases did not have RH. 420
Seven cases were not examined. 421 The comparison group did not have its retinal findings described. 422
*268 The authors concluded that their “findings strongly suggest that severe traumatic axonal damage is a rarity in infant NAI
unless there is considerable impact and that the diffuse brain damage responsible for loss of consciousness in the majority of
cases is hypoxic rather than traumatic.” 423
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Geddes 3:
Dr. Geddes and a similar set of co-authors then focused their attention to the dural covering of the brain. 424 They assembled
fifty non-sequential fetal, neonatal, and infants who had non-traumatic deaths. 425 How this cohort was selected was not
described. 426 To this cohort of cases, the authors compared three selected cases of AHT. 427 The authors did not describe how
they chose these three infants, only that they were part of their earlier cohort. 428 Once again, the authors were blinded neither
to the clinical information nor to the histologic findings. 429
Of the fifty subjects, forty-one (82%) were either fetal or neonatal deaths, with seventeen (34%) intrauterine deaths and sixteen
(33%) perinatal (younger than seven days of life) deaths. 430 Of the fifty cases, twenty-six (52%) died from hypoxia, eight (16%)
from infection (not defined) with severe hypoxia (not defined), and six (12%) from infection (not defined) without hypoxia. 431
Evaluation of the dural covering revealed only one subject (2%) *269 with a macroscopic (seen without a microscope)
SDH. 432 This infant was a twenty-five-week gestation whose mother had chorioamnionitis (infected placenta) and died from
sepsis (blood infection). 433 The authors reported that thirty-six (72%) of the remaining cases had intradural hemorrhage
(IDH). 434 This is described as “bleeding inside the strips of dura.” 435 Retinas were not examined. 436
The authors hypothesized that the IDH noted in their sample was, in essence, a precursor of the larger SDH, 437 which would be
typically associated with trauma. 438 Despite reporting that there was no statistically significant relationship between hypoxia
and IDH, 439 the authors extrapolated that the microscopic IDH could be caused by hypoxia (alone or with other factors) and,
thus, larger SDHs could be caused by hypoxia (with or without other factors) as well. 440 Furthermore, despite no physiological
data, the authors theorized that “cerebral venous hypertension and congestion, arterial hypertension and brain swelling, coupled
with immaturity and hypoxia related vascular fragility” contributed to a cascade of events leading to findings similar to those
seen in AHT. 441 Additionally, without reporting ophthalmologic findings, they hypothesized that RHs occur from a similar
mechanism. 442
B. Scientific Critique of the Unified Theory
The series of papers by Geddes et al. attempted to address two *270 main themes. Geddes 1 and Geddes 2 attempted to describe
the histopathologic findings in infants and children who are victims of AHT. They asserted that the histopathologic findings
associated with AHT are similar to that seen in hypoxia-associated deaths. Geddes 3 attempted to describe how SDH could
occur in the absence of trauma, utilizing hypoxia as the primary culprit. Clearly, the use of fetal and perinatal deaths obscures
any conclusions on IDH or SDH because these are common findings at baseline (as outlined below).
Given the unblinded nature of the Geddes 1 and Geddes 2 subjects, true interpretation of the implications of the results must
be guarded. A recent study of higher and more rigorous methodology involved three parallel assessors who were blinded to
the clinical information. 443 The subjects were 24 child fatalities from a variety of causes (including AHT). 444 The reviewers
were asked to assess the histo-pathology (β−APP) and indicate any evidence of trauma. 445 These blinded and independent
assessors rated five of the seven child homicides as “trauma” and fifteen of the seventeen controls as “non-trauma.” 446 This
indicates that while not perfect, the histopathologic findings are exceedingly informative in determining the presence or absence
of trauma. The authors rightly indicated that β−APP is clearly associated with trauma but urged caution saying, “the utility of
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β−APP is quite powerful if not confounded by global hypoxicischemic injury, [and] ultimately, β−APP studies should be only
one piece of information in the determination of cause and manner of death.” 447
Another notable aspect of the Geddes 1 and 2 papers is how their subjects were identified. The authors used inclusion criteria
which included confession, conviction (with or without additional injuries), and discrepancy between findings and history
provided (without adjudication). 448 Criteria like these have been utilized for decades by *271 many other researchers. 449 It is
scientifically and logically inconsistent for some authors to criticize these other papers as having flawed inclusion methodology
and yet cite the Geddes papers as “having important clinical implications” 450 or “landmark.” 451 If the conclusions of the
Geddes papers are sound and meaningful, then so are the conclusions of other studies which utilize the same methodology.
One cannot have it both ways.
With regard to Geddes 3, there are two major obstacles in interpreting this paper. First, the authors present clinical information
and data with significant imprecision. For example, indicating that an infant died from an “infection” or simply had “hypoxia”
without clinical specificity leaves these terms vague and uninterpretable. “Infection” could be meningitis, 452 sepsis, 453
pneumonia, or pyelonephritis 454 ; all of which are distinctly different medical entities. “Hypoxia,” as noted above, is a
heterogeneous clinical designation *272 that could be profound or trivial. Without clinical parameters, one cannot interpret
the implications or potential signs or symptoms of the hypoxia.
Second, none of the authors' findings are new. The presence of intradural hemorrhage 455 (IDH) associated with fetal demise
has been known for decades, if not centuries. 456 The authors themselves, citing Chase, 457 note “early study documented
intradural bleeding as a ‘constant finding’ in premature infants.” 458 In fact, one of the seminal monographs on birth-related
injuries by Schwartz 459 from 1961 reports this history in the study of intracranial findings in the neonate. In summarizing
the understanding of findings seen in fetuses and neonates, Schwartz writes “hemorrhage affects the dural reduplications (falx
and tenotium) rather frequently.” 460 In this context, the Geddes et al. report of IDH in a cohort of mostly fetal and perinatal
deaths is neither new nor illustrative.
The presence of macroscopic, radiographically apparent SDH due to birth is also a well-described finding. An atlas by
Cruveilhier in 1831 461 contains drawings of extensive meningeal hemorrhage over the hemispheres and, according to
Schwartz, 462 Cruveilhier reported that these hemorrhages occurred in “at least one-third of neonatal *273 deaths.” This
is similar to the frequency (~ 25%) with which SDH has been reported in the past decade on neuroimaging of healthy
term neonates. 463 It is striking that Geddes et al. reported only one (2%) subject with gross SDH. This rate is statistically
different from the one-third reported in the mid-1800s or the one-quarter reported in the 21st century (chi square, p=0.000 and
p=0.001). 464 This calls into question whether the entire cohort used by Geddes et al. in Geddes 3 is systematically different
and not representative at all of “typical cases,” either living or dead.
Lastly, and most importantly, if this model of hypoxia as outlined by Geddes et al. is indeed a reasonable explanation for an
SDH similar to the ones associated with AHT, why were they not seen in their own study? The only SDH reported was in a
fetus that did not have hypoxia, but instead sepsis, reported as a cause of death. In their study, all infants with hypoxia identified
as a factor in their death did not have an SDH. If this model had fidelity to a true underlying pathophysiologic process, it would
be expected that the finding they are attempting to explain would be present in at least some of the cases; it was present in none.
To truly assess whether hypoxia alone can result in SDH, one must use subjects that are more reflective of victims of AHT. 465
Infant and child victims of drowning or near drowning represent a nearly ideal population. The insult is pure hypoxia, the ages
are *274 similar, the event is (sadly) common, the timing of the event is usually clear and not under dispute, and the outcome
can be either fatal or non-fatal.
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Rafaat and colleagues reviewed all infants and children admitted to the Children's Hospital of San Diego over a seventeen-
year period who were on a drowning registry. 466 Of the 961 infants or children identified, 156 had a head CT scan within
twenty-four hours of admission (some having two scans). Sixty-one were under three years of age, which was similar to other
epidemiologic studies on drowning injuries. Fifty-eight scans had an abnormality identified. None of the abnormal scans had
any SDH noted. 467 Thus, out of 156 children with a spectrum of hypoxia insults and clinical outcomes (including forty-one
deaths), none had an SDH on the head CT scan. This would mean that, at most, hypoxia causes SDH two percent of the time,
but it may be as rare as never. 468 This result accorded with Taylor et al.'s radiologic study in 1985 469 and Byard's 470 and
Hurley's 471 pathology studies in 2007 and 2010, respectively.
Additionally, multiple lines of research have demonstrated that hypoxia is not a putative factor in causing RHs. Pitetti et al.
prospectively studied 128 children less than two years of age who presented with apparent life threatening events (ALTEs)
to determine the presence of *275 RHs. 472 Seventy-three of the 128 (57%) children received dilated fundoscopic exams.
Only one child (1.4%) had RHs. 473 Upon further investigation, that case was determined to be a case of confessed abuse.
Odom et al. prospectively examined the prevalence and character of RHs in patients in a pediatric ICU who had received at
least one minute of chest compressions and survived. 474 After using strict exclusion criteria (such as excluding patients that
had evidence of trauma, documented retinal hemorrhages before CPR, or suspicion of child abuse), Odom et al. found forty-
three patients who met criteria for their study. Of the forty-three patients, “[t]he mean duration of chest compressions was 16.4
minutes . . . with 58% lasting between [one] and [ten] minutes.” 475 All patients survived, and the authors found small punctate
retinal hemorrhages in only one patient (2.3%). No patient had severe RHs. Finally, numerous animal studies investigating the
effect of hypoxia on the retina have failed to demonstrate RHs. 476
C. Adjunct Hypotheses
There are at least two parallel hypotheses to hypoxia that have recently been proposed. These hypotheses are “dysphagia/
choking” or “coughing” and “neck injury.” The “dysphagia/choking” or “coughing” hypothesis proposes that when an infant
or a child coughs or gags, there is an increase in cerebral (brain) vascular pressure. This increased pressure, in the presence of
hypoxia, causes rupture of cerebral blood vessels.
*276 Initially proposed by Talbert 477 in a non-peer-reviewed journal, Medical Hypotheses, it has since been promulgated
by a few other authors. 478 Talbert has proposed that SDHs result from hypoxia and choking/coughing related to pertussis, 479
pyloric stenosis (stomach obstruction), 480 and/or gastroesophageal reflux with choking. 481 Talbert and Geddes subsequently
attempted to replicate these physiologic conditions utilizing a mathematical software model of an infant. 482 Talbert and Geddes
asserted that their model “has supported clinical observations, showing that the conditions necessary for subdural and retinal
bleeding do occur in paroxysmal coughing, although it cannot prove that the bleeding is necessarily or even actually present
clinically.” 483
The only other literature support for this hypothesis stems from a 2010 case report by Barnes and colleagues. 484 In that case,
the authors report on a 4.5-month-old infant who was reportedly found by his father choking and blue. 485 The infant ultimately
died after transportation to the Emergency Department and a short PICU course. 486 The findings included bilateral SDH, SAH,
and acute rib *277 fractures. 487 While in the PICU, an eye examination revealed retinal hemorrhages throughout both eyes
(no normal retina were identified in either eye) with 360° retinal detachment. 488 The authors reported that the child had not
suffered AHT and that “choking, vomiting, or paroxysmal coughing (e.g., pertussis) may also result in SDH and RH.” 489
The authors concluded that the SDHs and RHs are “consistent with the history of infantile dysphagic choking as consistently
provided by the caretaker.” 490
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With regard to neck injury, a recent paper by Matshes et al. set forth the hypothesis that hypoxia was indeed the underlying cause
for SDHs and RHs, but that neck injury, as opposed to choking or coughing, was the preceding cause of the hypoxia. 491 In
that paper, Matshes et al. reported on thirty-five non-sequential infant fatalities from three different medical examiners' offices.
Twelve (34%) of these were “confirmed or suspected by history and circumstance to have been subjected to hyperextension
and hyperflexion forces.” 492 The authors did not describe how the infants were selected or how the neck injury was
determined. These twelve hyperflexion/hyperextension cases were compared with twenty-three control infants in whom
neck hyperextension/hyperflexion was not identified or suspected. 493 The authors reported that all twelve hyperextension/
hyperflexion cases had nerve root hemorrhage (bleeding where the nerves of the neck enter the spinal cord), while only one
of the twenty-three control infants had nerve root hemorrhage. 494 The authors indicated that the nerve root hemorrhage in
the “shaking injury” infants was evidence that they sustained neck injuries that *278 interrupted the regulation of breathing,
resulting in hypoxia. 495 They reported that all twelve “shaking injury” cases had SDH, while only two of the twenty-three
control infants had SDH. 496 This was a statistically significant relationship comparing SDH amongst those with shaking as
compared with those without shaking (chi square, p=0.000). The authors concluded that the twelve “shaking injury” cases had
neck injuries that resulted in hypoxia and a subsequent SDH. 497
D. Scientific Critique of the Adjunct Hypotheses
While Geddes and Talbert's computer model is interesting and, perhaps, hypothesis generating, no clinical or physiological
data exist to support it. Geddes and Talbert themselves admit that the values utilized in their model are calculations and have
not been demonstrated to be true. 498 The authors state that although their model demonstrates the pressure within the vessels
surpasses the failure threshold, “[n]o research specifically addressing the question of stress failure of intracranial veins appears
to have been reported in the literature.” 499 Furthermore, since its publication six years ago, there has been no subsequent
confirmation or supporting research published. Finally, given the ubiquity of infant gastroesophageal reflux (spitting up), if
choking or gagging on formula were truly a meaningful cause of death, SDH, or RH, would it not already have been identified
and published in medical treatises and literature? Yet, this is not the case.
With regard to the Barnes et al. case report, there are several ethical concerns with this case report that impact the scientific
validity of the data presented. First, the “case report” bears striking similarities to a case (Zavian Thomas v. State of Texas) 500
in which each *279 of the co-authors were expert defense witnesses (a disclosure that was not made when published in the
medical literature). Second, when confronted in the medical literature with the similarities between this “case report” and that
case, 501 the authors chose not to clarify this issue. 502 Finally, there is concern that the “case report” did not present complete
clinical information when published in the medical literature. 503
One condition Talbert himself highlighted as an example of how choking or coughing, in the face of hypoxia, could cause
SDH and RH is pertussis (i.e., whooping cough). 504 Pertussis is an airway infection by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis which
produces a toxin that causes extensive lung inflammation. 505 Prior to the advent of an effective vaccination for the bacteria,
there were over 200,000 cases annually in the U.S., mostly in infants and children. 506 Tens of thousands of deaths occurred
each year in the U.S., with over three-quarters of deaths being children younger than two years. 507
Despite the overwhelming burden of this disease, there have been only two cases of pertussis-associated SDH in over 100 years
of published medical literature. The first, from 1885, 508 was a two-year old who died from reported pertussis. The second case
was reported *280 in the American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book (infectious diseases manual). 509 The latter involved
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a four-week old from 1968 who had pertussis and developed Staph aureus pneumonia. 510 The infant died as a complication
of pneumonia brought on by pertussis. 511
As with gastroesophageal reflux, given the extensive history of pertussis, with hundreds of thousands of deaths in infants and
children, if SDH or RH were a notable feature, would they not already be identified and reported in the medical literature?
Yet, this is also not the case. Furthermore, in a well-designed prospective study, conducted over a four-year period, Curcoy
et al. examined the eyes of thirty-five infants and young children admitted to their hospital with pertussis. 512 They found
none with retinal hemorrhages. Similar findings were repeated in a prospective study by Goldman et al. 513 Finally, Herr et al.
prospectively examined the eyes of 100 infants admitted to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh with forceful vomiting caused
by pyloric stenosis. 514 They also found none with retinal hemorrhages. It appears that there are little scientific data to support
the hypothesis that coughing or choking causes SDH or RH.
With regard to the hypothesis of neck injury as a putative cause of SDHs or RHs, beyond the small numbers in the Matshes
study, this paper has some significant methodological flaws that make meaningful interpretation impossible. The authors were
not blinded to the neck findings, clinical information, or the pathologic findings. How neck hyperextension/hyperflexion was
determined was not *281 described. 515 As neck hyperextension/hyperflexion was a key determinant in whether the infant
was a case or control, it needed to be explained how it was actually determined. Finally, and very interestingly, four of the
twelve (33%) cases of shaking injury did not have evidence of hypoxic encephalopathy yet still had SDH. 516 Clearly, Matshes'
data more strongly supported shaking alone as the cause of SDH, rather than hypoxia.
E. Conclusion
From the clinical perspective, hypoxia is an important consideration. Hypoxia likely plays a role in some of the significant
neuro-devastation seen in infants and children who are victims of any traumatic brain injury, not just AHT. However, when it
comes to hypoxia causing SDH and RH, there simply is no clinical data or compelling research that supports this contention.
If examined on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine rating scale, 517 the current level of evidence on the topic is
of the lower kind--level 4. Comparatively, the level of evidence arguing against this hypothesis is stronger--level 2b.
VII. The Daubert Analysis
The determination of what is “reliable” expert testimony is a problem that has vexed jurists and legal scholars for hundreds of
years. In one of the earlier historical legal writings on the subject matter, one eminent jurist and legal scholar, Judge Learned
Hand, wrote:
Having briefly considered the history of the present position of expert witnesses, the really practical question
is whether it is the best way to use the information they can give. There are two things I wish to prove:
first, that logically the expert is an anomaly; second, that from the legal *282 anomaly serious practical
difficulties arise. 518
Although Judge Hand offered his brethren of the long robe a solution to the predicament of the expert witness, 519 this legal
malady continues to ail jurisprudence to this very day.
For scores, the common-law rule governing admissibility of scientific expert testimony was the Frye standard (or the “general
acceptance” test). 520 With the enactment of the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) in 1975 and the Daubert court's subsequent
countenance of them in many jurisdictions, the Frye standard came to pass. 521 FRE 702 states that expert witness testimony
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shall be restricted to “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge” that is the “product of reliable principles and
methodology.” 522 The Daubert court interpreted the adjective “scientific” to mean “a grounding in the methods and procedures
of science” 523 and tethered “evidentiary reliability” to “scientific validity.” 524 From there, the Daubert court enunciated its
renowned checklist of factors for assessing “scientific validity.” 525 Subsequent elaboration on the limits and meanings of FRE
702 in Joiner 526 and Kumho 527 have clarified that *283 the expert's methodology cannot be based solely upon “the ipse
dixit of the expert” 528 and must be “properly applied” to the particular “facts of the case.” 529
In child abuse cases, the gatekeeper is confronted with primarily 530 three legal issues:
1) Does a physician's testimony constitute “scientific,” “technical,” or “other specialized knowledge?”
2) Is the physician's testimony the “product of reliable principles and methodology?”
3) Has the physician reliably applied those principles and methodology to the particular facts of the case?
The first and second issues are generally addressable here; the third requires specific application to specific cases with specific
fact patterns.
A. Does a Physician's Testimony in Child Abuse Cases Constitute “Scientific,” “Technical,” or “Other Specialized
Knowledge?”
Although not the dispositive issue, it is not a superfluous matter to determine whether a physician's testimony in child abuse
cases constitutes “scientific,” “technical,” or “other specialized knowledge.” Many legal scholars have noted that the adjective
“scientific” connotes a greater reliability and even an “aura of infallibility.” 531 Although *284 empiric data from civil and
criminal juries have not supported that “aura of infallibility” concern, empiric data have confirmed increased levels of juror
attention to, critique of, and reliance upon appropriately presented scientific information. 532
One distinguished evidentiary scholar has asserted that physician testimony in support of shaken baby syndrome is “non-
scientific,” stating that it is premised upon primarily “anecdotal” evidence. 533 That learned scholar goes on to assert that
physician testimony against shaken baby syndrome is “scientific,” arguing that it attains “empiric” validity from Duhaime's
biomechanical study in 1987. 534 Although the learned scholar makes no clarification as to what constitutes “anecdotal”
evidence or whether there is evidence other than “anecdotal” evidence in support of shaken baby syndrome, he still concedes
its admissibility under Daubert scrutiny. 535 The shortcomings of this “scientific” /“non-scientific” analysis will be discussed
in further detail below.
In defining “scientific,” the Daubert court stated that “the adjective ‘scientific’ implies a grounding in the methods and
procedures of science.” 536 Generally speaking, a physician's testimony has been and is considered “scientific.” A physician's
education includes the scientific basis of health and disease. 537 Rooted in a foundation of core science subjects, such as biology,
physics, chemistry, and biochemistry, physicians are trained to apply those scientific *285 principles to the human body to
better understand the physiology of the body and the pathology of disease that can affect it. Physicians are further trained to
use scientific literature to compare alternative approaches to diagnosis and treatment. 538 In addition, physicians receive basic
training on statistical analysis, often applying those principles to critically evaluate the medical literature.
Courts that have confronted the issue have commented, “[c]linical diagnoses bear the marks of science.” 539 As the American
Medical Association stated in its amicus brief in Daubert:
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‘Scientific knowledge’ is that body of knowledge that has been learned or developed in accordance
with rigorous scientific methodology. The scientific method involves replicable, empirical testing of
hypotheses . . . . Medical knowledge is one kind of scientific knowledge. It is acquired through the
application of the scientific method to questions concerning the effects of various interventions on human
health. 540
In fact, after considering whether the expert testimony of the physicians and biostatisticians involved in the case was “scientific,
technical, or other specialized knowledge,” the Daubert court concluded that its analysis was “limited to the scientific context
because that is the nature of the expertise offered here.” 541 Additionally, some courts and scholars have made a distinction
between “hard” and “soft” sciences. 542 Because this distinction has no true correlation with reliability, we will not delve into
further discussion of this issue.
The natural extension of this analysis is to consider whether there are any features or characteristics of a physician's methodology
in AHT/SBS cases that make it less scientific or non-scientific. The simple answer is no. The physician in AHT/SBS cases
employs no *286 different methodology than the ER physician who assesses life or death scenarios in the emergency room, or
than the neurosurgeon who assesses the cause and treatment of intracranial bleeds, or than the forensic pathologist who assesses
the cause and manner of death in a variety of cases. All employ the “differential diagnosis” methodology, a methodology rooted
in the scientific method. 543
Furthermore, if, as the Daubert court stated, the “scientific method” is a “process” of “generating hypotheses and testing
them to see if they can be falsified,” 544 then it is without question that AHT/SBS has been subjected to the “scientific
method.” As Narang pointed out in his prior article, physicians from all across the world have not only tested AHT/SBS from
a variety of different perspectives but in a variety of different disciplines: biomechanics, pathology, radiology, ophthalmology,
neurosurgery, and general pediatrics. 545 In its recent assessment of the forensic sciences, the National Research Council stated:
Scientists continually observe, test, and modify the body of knowledge. Rather than claiming absolute
truth, science approaches truth either through breakthrough discoveries or incrementally by testing theories
repeatedly. 546
In fact, it is this very scientific methodology--this process for seeking greater scientific precision--that has prompted physicians
to modify constrictive terminology, such as “shaken baby syndrome,” to more inclusive terminology, such as “abusive head
trauma.” However, as child abuse physicians have utilized the science to be more precise, they have ironically been criticized
for being “less scientific.” *287 547
Finally, the assertion that the evidence basis in support of AHT/SBS is “primarily anecdotal” is not only factually inaccurate
but logically overly simplistic. “Anecdotal evidence” refers to evidence from anecdote, or more simply speaking, evidence
that is primarily based upon personal experience and not subjected to the rigors of scientific analysis and scrutiny. 548 While
certainly some evidence of shaking has been “anecdotal” (i.e., some admissions of shaking by caretakers to physicians), there
are other forms of scientific evidence that support the “shaking” proposition. Recently, animal studies (on species that have
highly similar head and neck anatomic structures to the human infant) have reproduced the very injuries--SDHs and RHs--
reported to be found as a result of shaking. 549 And as detailed above, there are biomechanical studies that support the “shaking”
proposition. 550 More importantly, shaking accounts of perpetrators have not been merely anecdotally asserted and accepted
but have been subjected to various aspects of scientific scrutiny, from examination of the specifics and repetitiveness of shaking
events 551 to the correlation of those accounts to the presence or absence of physical trauma signs upon the body. 552
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However, and most importantly, the evidence for or against “shaking” is not merely a biomechanical question. The analysis
does not simply end at the question of whether the estimated forces required to cause *288 SDHs have or have not been
reproduced in biomechanical studies; there are clinical questions as well. Assuming, arguendo, that impact with a surface (soft
or hard) is required to reach the estimated force thresholds of SDHs, then what? Because it is already well-established that many
abusive head injuries do occur with impact against a soft surface, what next? If valid probabilistic judgments are to be made,
further clinical questions must be answered--such as: With what frequency/commonality do the associative findings (SDHs,
RHs, fractures, etc.) occur? What degree of reliability is there in those findings? How common are those findings in low impact/
simple short fall events? And are there other clinical variables that are strongly indicative of accidental or abusive events? The
focus on solely the biomechanical question is itself a prime example of anchoring bias. 553 It is the assimilation and assessment
of all types of evidence (as will be discussed in further detail herein below), not just biomechanical data, which leads to the
most reasonable conclusion on this matter.
Therefore, physician testimony in AHT/SBS cases is, and should be, considered “scientific.”
B. Is the Physician's Testimony in AHT/SBS Cases the “Product of Reliable Principles and Methodology?”
As mentioned above, determining what is “reliable methodology” in an expertise or a subject matter that is completely foreign
to one's own is no simple task for anyone. Although the Daubert court listed a checklist of factors to consider in assessing
“scientific reliability,” some courts have questioned the hard-and-fast application of those factors to clinical medicine. 554
While not a *289 perfect fit to clinical medicine, the Daubert factors are malleable to clinical medicine and help in the overall
analysis of reliability.
As the Daubert court ultimately stated, it is the “principles and methodology,” not the “conclusions they generate,” that are
of paramount importance. 555 As Narang pointed out in his first part of this analysis, the methodology physicians employ in
coming to the diagnosis of AHT is no different from the methodology physicians employ in arriving at any medical diagnosis--
it is the differential diagnosis methodology. 556
Legal scholars have expounded that, while the derivation of scientific principles involves inductive reasoning, in court, the
explanation of the methodology follows a deductive, syllogistic format:
Although scientific propositions are derived inductively, in the courtroom scientific testimony is ordinarily presented in a
deductive, syllogistic format . . . . The major premise is a principle, procedure, or explanatory theory derived by the inductive,
scientific technique. The physician applies that major premise to the facts of the case, namely, plaintiff's case history. The
symptoms displayed by this specific plaintiff are the witness's minor premise. That case history might show that plaintiff has
experienced symptoms A, B, and C. The result of applying the major to the minor premise is a conclusion, the witness's opinion
on the merits of the case . . . . Hence, the ‘path to the witness's final opinion’ leads through the major and minor premises on
which the expert relies. 557
Applying such to AHT/SBS cases, the “major premise” would be the scientific principles and evidence underlying the AHT/
SBS diagnosis. The “minor premise” would be the utilization of the differential diagnosis methodology to the specific facts
of the AHT/SBS case.
Thus, the analytic journey from here courses through three paths: 1) determining whether the scientific principles and evidence
underlying the AHT/SBS diagnosis are in fact reliable, i.e., the “major *290 premise”; 2) defining what exactly the “differential
diagnosis methodology” is; and 3) exploring whether the “differential diagnosis methodology” is, in general, a reliable
methodology for applying the major premise to the specific facts of a case, i.e., the “minor premise.” The determination of
whether a physician has validly applied the differential diagnosis methodology to a specific fact pattern is a mental endeavor a
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particular gatekeeper must endure. Toward the conclusion of this article, we will discuss some tools available to the gatekeeper
for confronting this challenge.
1. Are the scientific principles and evidence underlying the AHT/SBS diagnosis “reliable” (i.e., the “major premise”)?
The Honorable Justice Stephen Breyer commented:
The search is not a search for scientific precision. We cannot hope to investigate all the subtleties that characterize good scientific
work. A judge is not a scientist, and a courtroom is not a scientific laboratory. But consider the remark made by the physicist
Wolfgang Pauli. After a colleague asked whether a certain scientific paper was wrong, Pauli replied, ‘That paper isn't even
good enough to be wrong!’ Our objective is to avoid legal decisions that reflect that paper's so-called science. The law must
seek decisions that fall within the boundaries of scientifically sound knowledge. 558
Justice Breyer's statements are not merely colorful commentary or interesting narrative. They express the careful balance that
is sought between two competing evidentiary goals--scientific soundness and a liberal, flexible approach to admissibility.
They are notable in light of recent court decisions employing stricter standards of admissibility 559 and judicial surveys
expressing confusion regarding *291 the proper criteria for admissibility. 560 And they are especially noteworthy because
some legal scholars have fallaciously confounded standards for diagnostic sufficiency with standards for criminal conviction
sufficiency. 561
So the question is simple: Is the science underlying AHT/SBS “junk science,” or science “that's not even good enough to be
wrong?” One legal scholar made the following assertions that formulated the premise of Narang's first article:
1) That “the scientific underpinnings of SBS have crumbled over the past decade”; 562
2) That, “as evidence-based medicine . . . required doctors to derive their research from methods that are scientific and
statistically rigorous,” doctors learned that the diagnosis was predicated upon “flawed science”; 563 and
3) That “as technology and scientific methodology advanced, researchers questioning the basis for SBS reached a critical
mass” 564 (i.e., no longer a “general acceptance”).
These assertions had been “reified” in prior 565 and subsequent legal commentary, 566 and unfortunately, found scientifically
unscrutinizing *292 ears in three Supreme Court justices in the recent Cavazos v. Smith decision. 567 Simply stated, these
assertions question the reliability of the scientific principles that formulate the physician's “major premise” in the syllogistic
argument.
In response to those assertions, in the first part of this analysis, Narang examined the scientific underpinnings of two findings
commonly seen in AHT/SBS--SDHs and RHs. Narang examined the science supporting the association of these findings with
AHT/SBS. As evidence of the reliability of those associative findings, Narang referenced over 200 evidence-based, scientific
studies (not editorials or reviews--but clinical studies), detailed the scientific validity of fifteen of those articles, and subjected
them to the four Daubert factors used in assessing scientific reliability. 568 In conclusion, Narang determined that not only did
this scientific literature meet Daubert criteria for reliability but that there was no “critical mass” questioning the diagnosis or
change in general acceptance of the diagnosis. 569
Interestingly, having now been confronted with promulgation of that scientific literature, those same scholars have shifted
their arguments. 570 Whereas before they argued that there was little-to-no evidence-based medical literature supporting the
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diagnosis (likening it to an “inverted pyramid with a small database”), 571 they have now posited that Narang's use of the
“voluminous” scientific literature “serves to intimidate those who are not familiar with its methodological shortcomings.” 572
Whereas before they alleged that the AHT/SBS literature did not engage in the scientific or statistical rigors required by
evidence-based medicine, 573 now they state that *293 the literature either misstates the significance of the P-value or does
not sufficiently calculate the strength of statistical associations by providing posterior probabilities. 574 And whereas before
they asserted that “researchers questioning the basis for SBS reached a critical mass,” 575 now they argue either that “it is
increasingly difficult to gauge the extent to which doctors in general agree” 576 or that it is “insufficient to rely on the fact that
some professional groups accept or endorse the diagnosis of SBS/AHT.” 577
While it certainly would be entertaining to engage in ongoing debate about “prosecutors' fallacies,” “improper classifications,”
and “shifting paradigms,” such an endeavor would be neither productive nor relevant. Ultimately, at this point in the analysis,
the focus must be on whether the scientific principles forming the basis of the AHT diagnosis are reliable, i.e., whether there is
reliability in the physician's major premise of the syllogistic argument. It is important to note at this point that it is simply beyond
the scope of this article to state ALL the scientific principles a physician utilizes in arriving at the AHT/SBS diagnosis. For
example, there are many developmental principles of infants and children that physicians utilize in correlation with a history in
assessing the reliability of that history. Additionally, there are principles derived from various studies investigating alternative
causes of SDHs, RHs, fractures, and bruises that physicians utilize in determining whether to rule out other potential causes
of those findings. 578
In his first article, Dr. Narang attempted to highlight some of the key scientific principles regarding SDHs and RHs. However,
despite repetition, 579 this still resulted in confusion by some scholars 580 about *294 what exactly those scientific principles
were. Thus, given the importance of those principles to the overall analysis, we will restate those scientific principles below
(along with their evidence-based medicine levels) in bold, so as to hopefully avoid any further confusion:
1) That trauma is the most common cause of SDHs--based upon epidemiologic studies in young children, both prospective and
retrospective, from multiple countries (level 3b evidence); 581
2) That when examining the breakdown of trauma-caused SDHs (i.e., accidental v. non-accidental), non-accidental trauma is
by far more common--based upon epidemiology and pathology studies in young children, both prospective and retrospective
(level 2b evidence); 582
3) That SDHs being much more common in non-accidental trauma than in accidental trauma is a statistically significant
conclusion reached by numerous well-designed, prospective clinical studies (level 2b evidence); 583
*295 4) That severe RHs being much more common in non-accidental trauma than in accidental trauma is a statistically
significant conclusion reached by numerous well-designed, prospective clinical studies (level 2b evidence); 584
5) That severe RHs carry a high specificity and positive predictive value for non-accidental trauma--based upon prospective,
validating clinical studies and systematic reviews (level 1b and 2a evidence); 585
6) That the absence of a trauma history, in the presence of traumatic injuries, holds a high specificity and positive predictive
value for non-accidental trauma--based upon several well-designed, prospective clinical studies (level 2b evidence). 586
As Narang detailed in his first article, these scientific principles are the result of methodologies specifically designed to minimize
*296 circularity and bias. 587 They produce results that have been repeatedly reproduced by other physicians. 588 And they
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satisfy Daubert criteria for reliability. 589 Findley et al. responded by criticizing the validity of the literature on essentially two
grounds--(1) that the methodology of “virtually all” of the studies is marred by “circularity” 590 and (2) that there are various
errors clinicians have made in interpreting the results of these studies. 591 As “circular” methodology more directly pertains
to the major premise (i.e., the scientific principles), it will be discussed below. As “interpretive errors” pertain more to the
minor premise (i.e., the application of those principles to the particular facts of a case), they will be addressed in the “minor
premise” section below.
Since “circularity” has been alleged to infect “virtually all” of the literature, prior to addressing it, it is appropriate to identify the
scientific principles that are deducible from the Accidents, Bleeding Disorders, Biomechanics, and Hypoxia sections discussed
above. These scientific conclusions are:
1) That short falls occurring in objective settings, such as hospitals, have not resulted in subdural hematoma or death--based
upon several consecutive case series (level 3b evidence); 592
2) That severe injuries or death resulting from short falls are rare events-- based upon well-designed, prospective studies and
systematic reviews (level 2a evidence); 593
3) That certain clinical variables, such as apnea and severe RHs, demonstrate high positive predictive values for non-accidental
trauma based upon prospective, validating *297 clinical studies and systematic reviews (level 1b and 2a evidence); 594
4) That most bleeding disorders are rare, the more common bleeding disorders typically are mild, and intracranial hemorrhage
resulting from bleeding disorders is a rare complication of the more severe rarer diseases--based upon clinical studies (level 3b
evidence; level 1b symptom prevalence evidence); 595
5) That biomechanical studies have shown mixed results as to whether shaking can result in the estimated mechanical forces
needed to cause SDHs; 596
6) That biomechanical studies have shown that RHs can result from shaking; 597
7) That biomechanical studies have NOT shown that neck “failure” must result prior to the estimated forces required for SDHs
being achieved; 598
8) That macroscopic SDHs are not associated with hypoxia--based upon several well-designed radiology and pathology studies
(level 2b evidence); 599
9) That severe RHs are not associated with hypoxia--based upon well-designed clinical studies and animal studies (level 2b
evidence); 600 and
*298 10) That adjunct hypotheses of hypoxia (such as “dysphagia/choking,” “coughing,” or “dural immature vascular plexus”)
resulting in SDHs and/or RHs are supported by the lowest levels of evidence-based medicine (level 4 or 5), whereas evidence
against such hypotheses is much stronger (level 2b). 601
As with the principles Narang discussed in his first article, and as demonstrated in the sections above, these scientific principles
have been subjected to “falsifiability.” They have been peer reviewed and published. They represent the highest levels of
statistical analysis. Their results have been reproduced in multiple studies and across various lines of research. And finally, as
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these principles form the basis of the generally accepted diagnosis of AHT/SBS, 602 they are generally accepted. Consequently,
they are also valid and surpass Daubert scrutiny.
With regard to the “circularity” concerns raised by Findley et al., 603 interestingly, much like some of the other positions, this
“circularity” argument has also shifted. Whereas before Findley et al. argued that the “circularity” consisted of including SDHs
and/or RHs in the defining inclusion criteria of a study, 604 now they argue that “major trauma” is the assumed circular premise
in “virtually all” of the literature. 605
*299 Narang addressed this “circularity” 606 argument in his first article. 607 His retorts--of why “circularity” does not explain
the historical articles (articles that initially identified these associative injuries prior to the designation of a syndrome) or why
NO scientific studies have consequently been created that are not circular and show a lack of this association--have yet to be
addressed. Setting aside these unrequited responses, there are several other fatal shortcomings to this argument.
First, as scientists, physicians are always asking how to test a hypothesis soundly. Well before the admonishments of Findley
et al., physicians themselves recognized the methodological problems of circularity in some of the literature. 608 In efforts to
remedy these flaws, physicians created various a priori definitions for AHT (that excluded SDHs and RHs) 609 and even limited
some studies to simple comparative cohorts of witnessed accidents versus judicially confessed abusive acts. 610 Yet, Findley et
al. still find these to be “circular.” If that is the case, then the simple question is: What would be “non-circular methodology?” If
confessions are circular or invalid and all a priori definitions presume something, then what would be a satisfactory methodology
for a study? What is the sound methodology Findley et al. would utilize in conducting a study? This is a *300 simple question
that Findley et al. have yet to answer. It appears that what is guised as a “circular” critique is actually a philosophical and logical
quagmire that devolves into the answer that “nothing,” then, could be non-circular.
Second, do doctors really assume that SDHs are caused by major trauma? Or is that not a proven entity? Closer scrutiny of
the “circularity” label reveals that the study methodologies are not actually “circular” but simply systematically deductive.
Narang spent considerable time in his first article detailing the historical progression of the understanding of SDHs from an
infectious etiology to a traumatic etiology. 611 And multiple studies have not only validated that premise 612 but determined
that trauma is actually the leading cause of SDHs in infants and children. 613 From years of research, physicians have compiled
a list of additional potential causes of SDHs. 614 If one is to then study a particular subset (such as accidental trauma versus
non-accidental trauma) of those causes, is not the only logical process to then attempt to exclude all other potential causes prior
to studying that subset? This is the methodology that physicians have consistently employed in the various studies discussed
above. And this is not “circular”; it is systematic and deductive.
Finally, Findley et al.'s critique of circularity itself suffers from a logical fallacy--the fallacy of hasty generalization. Findley
et al. wish to place hundreds of studies into a box. 615 And they wish to paint, with one broad swath, a “CIRCULAR” sign
along the side of that box, and set that box aside. 616 But are those studies, in fact, circular? For *301 example, Chadwick's
systematic review of short falls is not circular because a history of a short fall is not a criterion used to determine that a child
has died. 617 Multiple studies of short falls avoid circularity by including EVERY fall seen at the respective institution in a
given period of time and by not explicitly separating the children into groups of abused and non-abused children. 618 These
studies are manifestly non-circular because the measurement of the outcome variable does not even consider the predictor
variable. Finnie's study made circularity impossible by randomly assigning specific lambs to be injured or not injured. 619
Multiple anthropometric and FEM studies use experimental designs that are simply not circular. 620 And the Odom study of
the prevalence of RHs in the setting of chest compressions avoided circularity by considering only children thought not to be
abused prior to their eye exam. 621 These are but a few of the examples.
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We are not interested in the elementary back-and-forth of: “yes, it is circular”; “no, it is not circular.” The science speaks for
itself. In hopes of transparency, and not “intimidation,” 622 we have presented a reasonable sample of that science. The scientific
studies that form the basis of the scientific principles discussed above have been laid out for the reader to judge for himself/
herself. For countless physicians, these studies and the principles they have produced are scientifically valid. They comprise
the “major premise” of the AHT syllogistic argument.
*302 2. What is the “Differential Diagnosis Methodology?”
Stedman's Medical Dictionary defines “differential diagnosis” as “the determination of which of two or more diseases with
similar symptoms is the one from which the patient is suffering, by a systematic comparison and contrasting of the clinical
findings.” 623 Simply stated, from a medical perspective, it is the list of diseases that physicians consider as possible causes
for the signs or symptoms from which the patient is suffering. 624 Interestingly, however, from a legal perspective, courts have
varied in their interpretation and understanding of it. Some courts have interpreted it to be the methodology for arriving at
causation by “ruling out” alternative causes. 625 Others have interpreted it to require both a “ruling out” and “ruling in” process
for arriving at causation. 626 And others have even created legal concepts, such as “differential etiology,” declaring it to be
different from “differential diagnosis.” 627
While courts have expressed variable levels of understanding of the differential diagnosis methodology, it is cognitive
scientists who have provided the deepest and richest understanding of that *303 methodology. Decades of research has
revealed that, whereas it was once thought that physician clinical reasoning proceeded in a discretely linear fashion known
as Bayesian analysis, 628 the diagnostic process is actually a nonlinear, unstructured method of problem solving that employs
both inferential and deductive reasoning. 629 On occasion, and for various reasons (such as clinical exigency), physicians may
bypass the hypothetico-deductive approach and utilize a different reasoning process known as “heuristics,” or problem-solving
shortcuts. 630
In the differential diagnosis methodology, the physician gathers historical information on a patient's symptoms and signs and
generates hypotheses (a.k.a., the differential diagnosis). 631 Through the attainment of additional clinical information (via
various diagnostic tests), the physician goes through an inferential and deductive process of hypothesis refinement until a
consistent “working diagnosis” is achieved. 632 Hypothesis refinement utilizes a variety of reasoning strategies--probabilistic,
causal, and deterministic--to discriminate *304 among the existing diagnoses of the differential diagnosis. 633 While being
mindful of the pitfalls of heuristics, the physician ultimately proceeds to hypothesis confirmation when the laws of diagnostic
“adequacy,” “coherency,” and “parsimony” are satisfied. 634 In the simplest sense, the methodology relies on process-of-
elimination reasoning. As one eminent evidentiary scholar stated, “[i]n differential diagnosis, if there are four possible diagnoses
and you eliminate three, logic points to the last illness as the correct diagnosis.” 635
In AHT/SBS cases, the differential diagnosis depends on the findings presented. Soft tissue injuries (such as bruises) have a
differential diagnosis. Fractures (either long bone or skull) have a differential diagnosis. And intracranial findings (such as
SDHs or cerebral edema) and ophthalmologic findings (such as RHs) also have a differential diagnosis. 636 It is the physician's
task to parse through the historical information, the physical examination, and the laboratory and radiologic results to arrive
at a unifying diagnosis that satisfies the criteria of “adequacy,” “parsimony,” and “coherency.” As Narang has already stated,
in many cases but obviously not all, *305 the unifying diagnosis will be trauma. 637 From there, the physician will again
utilize the historical information, the physical examination, the laboratory/radiology results, the medical literature, and his/her
experience to distinguish between accidental and non-accidental trauma. This process/methodology will be examined in further
detail below.
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3. Is the “differential diagnosis methodology,” in general, a reliable methodology for applying the major premise to the specific
facts of a case (i.e., the “minor premise”)?
A scholar once mused that both Sherlock Holmes and Captain Spock agreed on the same proposition“when you have eliminated
the [other possibilities], whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” 638 That scholar went on to state, “when
the most logical human and a Vulcan agree on a proposition, that proposition must have merit.” 639 While this is not the crux
of our analysis, it is an interesting starting point.
Courts have long held that the differential diagnosis methodology is a reliable methodology for arriving at specific causation
in tort cases. 640 In those cases, courts have also commented that “[d]ifferential diagnosis is a well-recognized and widely
used technique in the medical community to identify and isolate causes of disease and death.” 641 In criminal cases, and more
specifically in AHT/SBS cases, the courts have concluded no differently. 642 However, judicial decisions *306 have offered
little insight into why the methodology is reliable. Additionally, recent investigation into the forensic sciences has raised concern
over implicit contextual and cognitive biases in the methodologies underlying forensic judgments. 643
Thus, these concerns may justify a re-evaluation of previously unchallenged methodologies. With all due respect to the acumen
of the brethren in the long black robe, the ipse dixit of the judicial expert may be no better than the ipse dixit of the medical
expert. So then, what exactly is it that makes the differential diagnosis methodology reliable? And has it been unsalvageably
infected with the contextual and cognitive biases that seem to undermine other forensic judgments?
One oft-asserted validation of the differential diagnosis methodology is that it is a methodology employed for making life-or-
death decisions and, ergo, must be reliable. The Advisory Committee Notes for the drafters of the Federal Rules of Evidence
indicates that one of the drafters' objectives was to formulate evidentiary standards in accord with experts' practices in the
field. 644 Those Notes asserted that if a physician “in his own practice” considers a certain type of data and “makes life-and-death
decisions in reliance on them,” common *307 sense suggests that reasoning relying on such data should also be acceptable in
the courtroom. 645 Those same advisory committee comments were echoed almost a decade after the Federal Rules of Evidence
went into effect by a leading evidentiary commentator, Professor Charles Nesson, when he published a celebrated article arguing
that testimony based on the reasoning processes commonly used by medical diagnosticians ought to be admissible in court. 646
Another factor pointing to its reliability is that the differential diagnosis methodology is rooted in the scientific method.
If the core of science is “falsifiability”--the formulation of hypotheses and the conduct of systematic experimentation or
observation to validate or “falsify” those hypotheses--then the differential diagnosis methodology is science embodied (no pun
intended). Physicians formulate causal hypotheses for illness and other medical injuries and utilize the differential diagnosis
methodology for the systematic validation or falsification of those hypotheses. But not only has the differential diagnosis
employed “falsifiability,” it has been subjected to it as well. As mentioned above, cognitive scientists have conducted years
of research on the methodology to assess and identify its strengths and weaknesses. In that course, the differential diagnosis
methodology has itself been subject to peer-reviewed publication. 647
Additionally, the methodology's process-of-elimination reasoning is utilized not just by physicians, but by lay persons and
lawyers as well. 648 It is not just “generally accepted”; it is “generally utilized.” As Karl Popper, one of the preeminent
philosophers of science, stated, science is only “common-sense knowledge writ large.” 649
The most reasonable challenge to the reliability of the differential *308 diagnosis methodology (or to any methodology that
involves human analytic reasoning) is bias and errors of cognition. Findley et al. have labeled some of these as “observer bias”
and “interpretive errors” (such as “improper classifications” and “the prosecutor's fallacy”). 650 The National Research Council,
in its recent global assessment of the forensic sciences, generally described them as “cognitive” and “contextual” biases. 651
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The Council went on to warn that “[t]he traps created by such biases can be very subtle, and typically one is not aware that his
or her judgment is being affected.” 652 With regard to the forensic disciplines, the Council concluded that:
Unfortunately, at least to date, there is no good evidence to indicate that the forensic science community
has made a sufficient effort to address the bias issue; thus, it is impossible for the committee to fully assess
the magnitude of the problem. 653
Thus, the Council recommended that the National Institute of Forensic Science fund and conduct further research on human
observer bias and sources of human error in forensic examinations. 654
In its discussion of error rates, the Council identified four statistical principles that are especially helpful in assessing error
rates: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. 655 The Council stated that a “global error
rate” can be estimated by summing the percentage of false positives and false negatives of a particular test. 656 For example,
a test with a 95% sensitivity has a 5% false negative rate. 657 And a test with a 97% specificity *309 has a 3% false positive
rate. 658 Thus, the “global error rate” of that particular test could be estimated as four percent [(5+3)/200 x 100 = 4%]. While a
bit simplistic, and not dispositive of the reliability of a particular test, it does offer some statistical quantification of the “error
rate” criteria sought by Daubert. Narang discussed the application of these statistical principles (and odds ratios) to the SDH/
RH literature in his first article. 659 The application of these statistical principles in the differential diagnosis methodology of
a child abuse case will be exemplified below.
As mentioned above, cognitive scientists have provided invaluable insight on bias in decision making, specifically in clinical
medicine. In Daniel Kahneman's Nobel prize acceptance essay, Maps of Bounded Rationality: A Perspective on Intuitive
Judgment and Choice, the author summarizes a long and an arduous journey wherein he and his colleague, Amos Tversky,
“explored the psychology of intuitive beliefs and choices and examined their bounded rationality.” 660 Kahneman and Tversky
identified “a two-system view” that distinguishes intuition from reasoning. 661 “The operations of System 1 [intuition] are fast,
automatic, effortless, associative, and difficult to control or modify.” 662 “The operations of System 2 [[reasoning] are slower,
serial, effortful, and deliberately controlled; they are also relatively flexible and potentially rule-governed.” 663 “A defining
property of intuitive thoughts is that they come to mind *310 spontaneously, like percepts,” and can result in rash judgments,
also known as “heuristics.” 664 This concept of “heuristics” has been a vital concept in understanding the pitfalls of clinical
decision making. 665
The concept of “judgment heuristics” informs us that “intuitive judgments of probability are mediated by attributes such
as similarity and associative fluency” and “are not intrinsically related to uncertainty.” 666 Other attributes of heuristic
judgments include susceptibility to availability bias, accessibility bias, anchoring, representativeness, overweighting, and
attribute substitution, to name a few. 667 Kahneman notes that “people rely on a limited number of heuristic principles which
reduce the complex tasks of assessing probabilities and predicting values to simpler judgmental operations.” 668 While these
heuristics can be quite useful, “sometimes they lead to severe and systematic errors.” 669
However, Kahneman and Tversky determined that errors of heuristic judgments can be tempered by the slow, serial, effortful,
deliberate, and rule-oriented operations of System 2. 670 The efficacy of System 2, in its ability to mitigate heuristic judgments,
is impaired “by time pressure,” “by concurrent involvement in a different cognitive task,” and even “by being in a good
mood.” 671 The authors state:
The central finding in studies of intuitive decisions, as described by Klein (1998), is that experienced
decision makers working under pressure, such as captains of firefighting companies, rarely need to choose
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between options because in most cases only a single option *311 comes to their mind . . . . Doubt is a
phenomenon of System 2, a meta-cognitive appreciation of one's ability to think incompatible thoughts
about the same thing. 672
“Conversely, the facility of System 2 is positively correlated with intelligence, with ‘need for cognition,’ and with exposure to
statistical thinking.” 673 Thus, the question to be asked is: How susceptible is the differential diagnosis methodology in child
abuse cases to heuristic judgments? It would be scientifically irresponsible to state that the differential diagnosis methodology
employed in child abuse cases is immune to heuristic judgments. However, several factors make it less susceptible. First
and foremost, the exigency of “time-pressure” circumstances is not one encountered by the child abuse pediatric consultant.
Unlike the firefighter, the emergency room physician treating a patient suspected of a myocardial infarction (a.k.a., heart
attack) or the intensive care physician running a code, the child abuse pediatric consultant does not experience those time-
pressured circumstances. Like other diagnostic consultants, such as infectious disease or endocrinology, the child abuse pediatric
consultant has hours to days (if not weeks in certain circumstances) to cogitate upon a differential diagnosis, to order appropriate
laboratory and radiology tests, to confer with other subspecialists and interdisciplinary partners, and consequently, to further
refine that differential.
Second, the lack of time pressure naturally creates an environment that is suited to a “need for cognition.” The child abuse
pediatric consultant has ample opportunity and resources for the creation and resolution of doubt. But as Kahneman and Tversky
warn, bias is often implicit and goes unrecognized. 674 So what assurance is there that even the cogitating, unpressured child
abuse consultant is not shackled with implicit biases?
There are two other important attributes that mitigate the impact of any implicit biases--the multi-disciplinary approach
and the utilization of statistical thinking/EBM (evidence-based medicine). *312 Child abuse pediatric consultants often
engage in multi-disciplinary evaluations of child abuse cases. These evaluations involve the cognitive efforts of multiple
pediatric subspecialists--radiologists, ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, hematologists, orthopedic surgeons, pathologists, and
child abuse pediatricians. Additionally, social interdisciplinary partners (such as law enforcement officials and social workers)
provide valuable information that typically is not obtained in routine medical history gathering. Thus, a system is forged whereby
comprehensive information is collectively gathered, shared, and evaluated. And as mentioned above, this is not a process
amenable or available to all clinical situations and all circumstances (i.e., the ER physician in an emergency situation or the
critical care physician in a critical situation). Is this an error proof process? Of course not. Is this an indictment of particular
physicians? Of course not. It is merely a recognition of the fact that the comprehensive and collective cognitive operations of
the many at least minimize the risk of undetected implicit bias in the single.
Finally, as demonstrated in Narang's first article and in the sections above, physicians have utilized EBM to improve the
scientific data in child abuse research. As one cognitive scientist stated: “Evidence-based medicine is the most recent, and by
most standards the most successful, effort to date to apply statistical decision theory in clinical medicine.” 675
Physicians have incorporated rigorous design methodologies and statistical analyses (such as logistic regression) to account for
confounding variables and bias. These have resulted in not only scientific principles with high degrees of statistical confidence
and probability but in principles that have been reproduced, along multiple lines of research, by various physician scientists
across the world. As Narang discussed in his first article, the concept of convergent validation offers explanation for their
increased validity. 676 Kahneman echoes this in his conclusion: “The claim that cognitive illusions will occur unless they are
prevented by System 2 sounds *313 circular, but it is not. Circular inferences are avoidable because the role of System 2 can
be independently verified in several ways.” 677
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Despite these insulations, is there room for improvement in minimizing the potentiality of implicit bias in clinical decision
making? Certainly. Probably the most important one is the need for increased recognition of and education about the topic. 678
As judges have recently increased awareness and education on implicit bias in judicial decision making, physicians need to
follow suit. Currently, early medical education involves some “problem-based learning [on] the formulation and testing of
clinical hypotheses.” 679 But detailed, intensive education about the pitfalls of clinical decision making--i.e., the pitfalls in
“hypothesis generation,” “diagnostic creation and revision,” and “probability estimation and revision”-- is lacking. 680 Thus,
increased education in medical school and continuing medical education would be good steps in this direction.
Another consideration in assessing the reliability of the differential diagnosis methodology in AHT/SBS cases is whether it is
tethered to the standards of medical practice. Is the same methodology employed in AHT/SBS cases as in other medical cases?
Or is it a peculiar diagnostic methodology? In Narang's first article, and herein above, Narang argued that the methodology
employed in coming to the diagnosis of AHT is no different from the methodology employed in arriving at any medical
diagnosis. 681 Findley et al. have asserted that the medical decision making in AHT/SBS cases differs from other medical
diagnoses, such as migraine headaches, because in those diagnoses, unlike in AHT/SBS, “doctors generally correlate the
patient's description of the symptoms and their onset (the patient history) with objective medical data (such as lab results) and
response to treatment.” 682
*314 This assertion is, in a word, wrong. As has been demonstrated above, physicians do order a host of laboratory and
radiologic tests (bleeding studies, bone health labs, x-rays, CTs, MRIs, etc.) and correlate those results with a patient's history.
Physicians do effect a treatment--placement in a safer environment--and assess the re-occurrence of any symptoms or injuries
in that safer environment. In fact, it is the very inconsistency of the history provided by a caregiver with these objective results
that is the cornerstone of the AHT/SBS diagnosis. So the more pertinent question is whether there are other medical diagnoses
where there is inconsistency between history and objective medical data and the differential diagnosis methodology is also
employed in arriving at that diagnosis.
The answer is, in a word, yes. There are multiple diagnoses that fit this bill--pediatric condition falsification, anorexia nervosa,
and drug seeking behavior, to name a few. However, a detailed analysis of one should crystalize this point. The diagnosis of
bulimia nervosa is “binge eating and inappropriate compensatory methods to prevent weight gain.” 683 “The most common
compensatory technique is the induction of vomiting after an episode of binge eating,” but “[o]ther purging behaviors include
the misuse of laxatives and diuretics.” 684 A key component of the diagnosis is the patient's denial of the purging behavior, but
with manifest physical signs or lab tests indicating the diagnosis. Some of these findings include dental erosion, palatal or oral
trauma (from attempted induction of vomiting), abrasions along the backs of the hands (from attempted induction of vomiting),
or electrolyte imbalances (from chronic vomiting or laxative use). 685 As with any other medical condition, there are other
conditions on the differential diagnosis to consider prior to arriving at the diagnosis. These include anorexia nervosa, depression,
gastrointestinal obstructive disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, Kluver Bucy syndrome, and gastrointestinal infectious *315
diseases. 686 It is the physician's task to consider these other disorders on the differential and order the appropriate labs and
imaging prior to ruling them out 687 before arriving at the bulimia nervosa diagnosis. There is no question that bulimia nervosa
is a valid diagnosis, or that a physician can reliably arrive at that diagnosis using the differential diagnosis methodology.
Much of what has been discussed above has been conceptual, esoteric, and possibly even vague. Perhaps an example of how
the physician employs the differential diagnosis methodology in an AHT/SBS case will assist in clarifying the issue of its
reliability. A three-month-old infant presents to the emergency room for “stopping breathing” (apnea). The mother's boyfriend,
who was caring for the child while the mother was at work, states that the infant was crying. When he gave the infant a bottle,
the infant “choked and gagged” and then “stopped breathing.” He “shook” the infant gently to revive the infant. When the infant
began crying a short time later, he soothed the infant and waited for the mother to return home, which occurred some hours
later. When the mother returned home, the infant appeared pale and lethargic, and so the mother and her boyfriend proceeded
to the ER for evaluation.
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At the ER, the mother and her boyfriend denied any trauma for the infant in the prior three months of life. The mother denied
any other problems in the child's medical history or any notable family medical history. On physical examination, the child was
noted to have a small amount of swelling to the back of the head, but nothing else notable on physical examination--no bruising,
scars, or other lesions. A head CT scan performed in the ER revealed an acute (fresh) subdural hemorrhage (SDH) along the
front of both brain hemispheres and in between them (interhemispheric) and developing cerebral edema (brain swelling). The
child was admitted for further *316 evaluation and management, and CPS was called. Further hospital evaluation, including
whole body x-rays (a skeletal survey), revealed healing rib fractures on the right side of the rib cage. Ophthalmologic exam by
the pediatric ophthalmologist revealed severe retinal hemorrhages (RHs) in both eyes. A child abuse pediatrician was consulted.
In this scenario, which is not different from many child abuse cases, the child abuse pediatrician is presented with multiple
findings 688 --soft tissue swelling to the head, acute SDH, brain swelling (cerebral edema), severe RHs, and rib fractures--all
of which have their own differential diagnoses. 689 For example, soft tissue swelling of the scalp has a limited differential
diagnosis--trauma, infection (such as fungal or bacterial), inflammatory conditions, and dermatologic conditions (such as
epidermal inclusion cysts). SDHs and RHs have a more expansive differential, 690 which can be generally characterized as
trauma, bleeding disorders, malignancy, infection, and metabolic/genetic diseases. Rib fractures have a limited differential--
trauma, genetic disease (such as osteogenesis imperfecta), nutritional deficiency (which results in weakened bone health
and predisposes bones to fracture with mild trauma), prematurity, and medical procedures (such as cardiopulmonary
resuscitation). 691 And cerebral edema does not itself have a differential diagnosis, but is rather a complex pathophysiological
response to brain injury (resulting either primarily from direct trauma or as a *317 secondary response to lack of blood oxygen
and blood). 692
After the formulation of appropriate differential diagnoses for the relevant medical findings, it is at this point that the child
abuse pediatrician engages in an inferential and deductive reasoning process that is in some aspects Bayesian and some aspects
not. 693 In ruling out certain conditions on the differential, a physician may only utilize historical information, such as whether
or not the child was born prematurely to rule out “prematurity,” or whether or not CPR was performed to rule out “medical
procedures” (as differential diagnoses for the rib fractures). In other cases, the physician may utilize historical information in
combination with physical exam findings to rule out certain conditions. For example, in ruling out fungal or bacterial infection
(as differential diagnoses for the soft-tissue swelling on the head), a physician would utilize the presence or absence of fever
and the presence or absence of physical exam skin findings indicative of infection (like redness, warmth, bogginess, or the
presence of blisters, vesicles, or scales). And, in other cases, the physician would combine historical information, physical exam
findings, and laboratory information to rule out other conditions on the differential--such as using the absence of any historical
symptoms, physical findings of lymph nodes or liver or spleen enlargement, and a normal white blood cell count (a lab) to rule
out leukemia (on the differential for SDHs and RHs).
All these manners of eliminating certain conditions from the various differential diagnoses are non-Bayesian, i.e., there is no
statistical quantification (pre and post-test probabilities) of the singular (e.g., the presence or absence of premature history
in eliminating “prematurity”) or cumulative (e.g., using historical, physical exam information, and the white blood count to
eliminate “leukemia”) probabilities of these diagnostic factors in the diagnostic process. Yet these are very reliable methods
of eliminating some of the conditions from the differential diagnosis. They are rooted in years of experience with the known
pathophysiological processes of disease and the *318 human body. And often, they are sanctified in medical treatises. 694
This is simply a reminder that the mere absence of linear, Bayesian analysis does not connote unreliability.
But there are aspects of the AHT/SBS differential diagnosis methodology that are conducive to Bayesian analysis. For example,
in order to rule out bleeding disorders as a possible cause of SDHs in our scenario, it is informative to calculate the probability
that a given bleeding disorder causes intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in the general population. If we remember from the Bleeding
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Disorders section above, this is attainable by multiplying the prevalence of that bleeding disorder by the prevalence of ICH
in that bleeding disorder: 695
(Prevalence of bleeding disorder) x
(Prevalence of ICH in that bleeding disorder)
For example, as noted in the Bleeding Disorders section above, the prevalence of Hemophilia A (Factor VIII) in the male
population is 1 in 5000. 696 Also as noted in that section, the literature demonstrates that between 5-12% of these individuals
will get an ICH at some time in their life. 697 Thus, assuming the highest prevalence (12%), the estimated probability that a
person will get an ICH due to Hemophilia A is 2.4 per 100,000. But that is a lifetime risk assessment for hemophiliacs. If even
10% of these intracranial hemorrhages occurred in the first year of life, the rate would be only 24.1 in every 100,000 boys
(or about 1 in 4 million). This is substantially lower than the incidence of SDHs attributable to AHT/SBS in the first year of
life--which ranges from 24-29/100,000. 698 Comparatively, SDHs are about 100 times more likely to *319 be secondary to
AHT/SBS than Hemophilia A. And this is assuming the child has Hemophilia A. If lab testing rules out this diagnosis, then
this comparative analysis is moot. Similar comparative ratios are available for all the bleeding disorders based upon the table
listed in the Bleeding Disorders section above. 699
Another example of Bayesian analysis is the probability of differentiating accidental trauma from AHT based upon the presence
of the severe RHs. Here again, the evidence-based literature is instructive for physicians. Maguire et al. conducted a systematic
review of RHs in AHT and accidental trauma. 700 The authors used strict inclusion criteria to identify 62 studies that represented
998 children aged 0-11 years, many of which were comparative studies between cohorts of accidental and non-accidental injury
patients. 701 The authors only included studies where abuse was witnessed, admitted, or confirmed through multidisciplinary
assessment and, in the comparative studies with accidents, where the accidents were witnessed. 702 This ensured minimization
of ‘circularity’ in diagnosis by not relying on clinical features in the diagnostic assessment. 703 The authors performed multilevel
logistic regression so that the data would be “more strongly correlated within the studies than between the studies.” 704
Based upon their meta-analysis, they found that the probability of abuse in a child with head trauma and RHs was ninety-one
percent. 705
However, rather than computing statistics (the probability of *320 abuse) that were limited to the population of patients in
their study, the authors also calculated an odds ratio of abuse--a statistic that is generalizable to all populations of patients. 706
The authors determined that a child with head trauma and RHs has an odds ratio of 14.66 (95% CI: 6.39-33.62) for abuse. 707
In other words, if you know what the likelihood of abuse is for children admitted to your own Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
(PICU), ER, or clinic with trauma, and you then find that one of those children has RHs, the likelihood that the child has been
abused is now 14.6 times greater than that prior probability.
And these are not the only evidence-based statistics that physicians consider. Well-conducted systematic reviews discriminating
inflicted from accidental injury have concluded that in a child with intracranial injury, apnea has an odds ratio of seventeen for
abuse (with a positive predictive value of 93%) and rib fractures have an odds ratio of three for abuse. 708 While it may seem
that these ratios (odds ratio of fourteen, seventeen, or three) are numerically not that high, they are actually rather impressive.
For example, there is a proven benefit that psychosocial interventions (such as self-help material and telephone support) help
people with ischemic heart disease quit smoking. 709 The evidence was so compelling for these strategies that they are now
routine practice. Yet, the odds ratio for behavioral therapies was only 1.69 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.14), for telephone support 1.58
(95% CI 1.28 to 1.97), and for self-help only 1.48 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.96). 710 Taken in this context, the odds ratio for abuse
with specific associated clinical features (apnea, retinal hemorrhages) is extremely compelling.
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Finally, and most importantly, evidence-based literature has quantitatively specified that which common sense has qualitatively
*321 known: In a child with traumatic intracranial injury, the absence of a trauma history has a 97% specificity and 92%
positive predictive value for abuse. 711 A predictive value is another statistic that is immensely helpful. It is the probability
of a disease after additional information (such as from a test) has been obtained. 712 Thus, a positive predictive value is the
probability of disease in those known to have a positive test result. Or in the above scenario, in the child with traumatic
intracranial injury, the absence of trauma history (a.k.a., the positive test) indicates a 92% probability of abuse.
While it may seem that the statistics are dispositive, they are actually only a portion of the analysis. Physicians must
remain mindful of “conjunction fallacies,” “overweighting,” “errors in [the] revision of probabilities,” and other pitfalls. 713
Cognizance of these potential errors minimizes the probability of their occurrence.
Ultimately, the differential diagnosis methodology is a marriage of evidence-based literature and experience; a symbiosis
of inferential and deductive reasoning; a synergy of linear and non-linear dynamic thought. It is the methodology by which
physicians achieve diagnostic sufficiency. 714 So with the information presented, the questions for the reader and the gatekeeper
are: Is the methodology presented “junk science?” Is it not even “good enough to be wrong?”
The reliability of the differential diagnosis methodology, a methodology utilized by all physicians--not just child abuse
pediatricians, has been laid out for the reader to judge for himself or herself. For countless physicians, this methodology is
reliable. In general, the application of this methodology to the facts of a case *322 comprises the “minor premise” of the AHT
syllogistic argument. The sound application of this methodology to a particular set of facts is for the individual, particular the
gatekeeper, to determine.
C. The “Path Forward”: Throwing the Baby out with the Bath Water (Figuratively Speaking)
Findley et al. have suggested that our disagreement on this issue (AHT/SBS) is “narrow but critical.” 715 We could not disagree
more. Our disagreement lies not just in a misunderstanding of the quality or sufficiency of the medical literature; it represents
a vast philosophical and ideological difference about the value and roles of clinical judgment and our current jury system in
cases involving medical expert testimony. We shall examine the logical shortcomings of Findley et al.'s positions and discuss
our recommendations for resolving Daubert issues in AHT/SBS cases.
1. The fog of legal argument
There is an old defense adage: “If you can't win on the facts, argue the law; if you can't win on the law, then just confuse
everyone.” The applicability of this axiom will hopefully be apparent.
Findley et al. bemoan the “subjective” and unreliable nature of clinical judgment. 716 The authors state that its “subjective
nature” is not “the objective medical evidence envisioned by evidence-based medicine and Daubert” and would ultimately
“result in mistaken diagnoses and false convictions.” 717 Despite making this assertion repeatedly, 718 the authors then conclude
that certain clinical judgments (in AHT/SBS cases) are “obvious,” 719 without defining by what criteria they become “obvious,”
if clinical judgment is “obviously” unreliable. Additionally, if “subjectivity” spells the death of clinical *323 judgment, then
what physician testimony could ever survive? Such reasoning would necessitate the undesirable exclusion of all physician
testimony--the pediatrician, the emergency room physician, the neurosurgeon, the ophthalmologist, the radiologist, and the
forensic pathologist.
Findley et al. invoke this same fallacy--hasty generalization--in their argument for the invalidation of the AHT/SBS diagnosis.
The authors spend considerable effort arguing that biomechanics has conclusively demonstrated that shaking does not even
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come close to reaching the thresholds for causing concussive injury or SDHs. 720 Then Findley et al. generalize this premise--
that shaking cannot cause SDHs--as the basis for invalidating the entire AHT/SBS diagnosis. 721 Yet, despite proffering the
diagnosis as invalid, as mentioned above, the authors nevertheless concede that some AHT/SBS cases are “obvious.” 722 This
begs the question of how some cases are “obvious” if the diagnosis is in fact invalid.
Interestingly, the confusion takes a different turn. Whereas Findley et al. are adamant that science has demonstrated that shaking
is not dangerous, the authors then ultimately concede that “violent shaking” is “dangerous,” and that “there are few costs and
many potential benefits associated with educating parents that they should never shake a child.” 723 With that inconsistency
being apparent, questions arise: If shaking does not even come close to concussive or SDH-causative forces, then what exactly
do Findley et al. believe shaking is “dangerous” enough to cause? A bruise? A neck sprain? If shaking is not dangerous enough
to cause serious injury, then why are prevention programs necessary or recommended? To prevent a potential bruise or neck
sprain? Considerable medical research resources have already been spent to validate something that res ipsa loquitur sufficiently
explains--that shaking a young infant can and does cause serious intracranial injury. It is careful, deliberate, and *324 reasoned
medical judgment through the differential diagnosis methodology that helps to eliminate potential alternative causes for those
injuries.
2. Lifting the fog
Married with this confusion is a healthy distrust of the jury system. Findley et al. state:
This approach [experts with differing perspectives arguing it out in the courtroom] presents two problems.
First, trying and retrying undecided scientific issues on a weekly basis is extraordinarily expensive and
inevitably results in inconsistent and ‘fluky’ justice. Second, and perhaps more important, if doctors cannot
agree on these complex and unresolved issues, it is unlikely that jurors or judges can do any better. 724
Findley et al. argue that the resolution to this issue, or “the path forward” or “getting it right,” is to “acknowledge the
complexities” and, when applicable, to say “we don't know.” 725 Setting aside the veiled professional adhominem that
physicians do not already do this (and consequently, are diagnosing and testifying carelessly, capriciously, maliciously, or at
best, erroneously), the logical consequence of this course is diagnostic and testimonial abstinence. But is that really “getting it
right?” Or is that just a safer course for those who are alleged or actual perpetrators of abuse? Do diagnostic and testimonial
abstinence not then end up supplanting one “fluky justice” for another? It seems to us that justice should balance the “actual
innocents” on both sides of the scale, not just those potentially accused of child abuse.
Thus, before we “toss the baby out with the bathwater,” we propose improvements in our current constructs, both medical
and legal, as a true path forward. From the medical construct, first and foremost, there must be increased funding for child
maltreatment research at both the state and federal levels. 726 Increased funding for *325 evidence-based research in the
forensic disciplines was a primary recommendation by the National Research Council. 727 The extension to the field of child
maltreatment is a natural corollary. At present, the Institute of Medicine is already investigating avenues of needed research
in the field of child maltreatment. 728 However, it cannot be emphasized enough that the need for further research is not an
indictment of the quality of the current research. As demonstrated above, multiple research collaboratives have enhanced the
current evidence-based literature such that we are on the verge of clinical decision rules in AHT/SBS. 729
Second, as Narang mentioned in his first article 730 (and Findley et al. have echoed), 731 a multidisciplinary body, under the
auspices of the National Academy of Sciences and/or the National Institute of Health, needs to make a global assessment
of the evidence-based literature on AHT/SBS and promulgate its findings. Third, medical professional societies must take a
more active role in the regulation of irresponsible testimony by its members. One organization, the American Association of
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Neurologic Surgeons, has been a model for the societies in imposing disciplinary actions against its members for irresponsible
expert testimony. 732 Other societies need to follow suit. Finally, physicians need to engage in reciprocal intra-disciplinary and
inter-disciplinary educational efforts on multiple medico-legal topics in AHT/SBS, to include but not limited to, implicit bias
in medical decision making, evidence-based literature and AHT/SBS, and responsible expert testimony in AHT/SBS.
With regard to the legal construct, making inroads into the problem of ensuring reliable medical expert testimony requires travel
*326 along several paths. The Supreme Court and legal scholars have clearly recognized that Daubert has not turned out to
be the panacea it was believed it would be. Thus, with the recent ruling in Melendez-Diaz, 733 some scholars assert the Court
has sought to remedy Daubert's shortcomings by strengthening the confrontation rights of the accused. 734 While emboldening
the Confrontation Clause is certainly an acceptable adjunct, emboldening the gatekeeper and the jury are valuable objectives
as well. One important avenue for achieving those objectives is the increased utilization of FRE 706. The assistance of the
independent expert to the court (for Daubert purposes) and to the jury (for any questions that may arise in the course of the
adversarial process) could well serve the goals of truth and justice. This sage counsel was offered by Judge Learned Hand over
a hundred years ago, 735 but this counsel has found spotty adherence at best.
As with the medical construct, another important consideration is the need for more legal/social science research. Bold assertions
have been made of a judicial system that is “riddled with false convictions.” 736 But in order to adequately assess the validity of
such statements, or at least to adequately grasp the scope of the problem, a denominator is needed. Certainly, false convictions
have occurred. But in what percentage of cases? Currently, there is only conjecture. Not only is that research needed, but further
research is needed into why these false convictions have occurred, what variables are most common in those cases, and what
systemic changes would be effective in minimizing those cases. Finally, also as with medicine, additional education for the
gatekeeper (on topics such as the basics of good scientific studies, ongoing advances in the science related to AHT/SBS, etc.)
would be beneficial.
*327 VIII. Conclusion
What has been presented for the reader in Narang's first article and in this article is a reasonable summary of the evidence-based
literature that girds the AHT/SBS diagnosis, an analysis of the strengths and limitations of that literature, and a detailed Daubert
analysis of the differential diagnosis methodology by which physicians arrive at that diagnosis. These comprise the major and
minor premises of the syllogistic structure of the expert's opinion offered in court. For countless physicians and professional
medical societies, they are valid and reliable. What has also been presented, in contrast, is the lack of evidence-based literature
for alternative hypotheses--such as hypoxia, the immature dural vascular plexus theory, dysphagic choking, and “neck” injury.
AHT/SBS cases are complex, difficult cases. Physicians engaged in such cases do “acknowledge the complexities” and
“consider alternative medical causes.” It is exactly those precepts that delayed the medical and societal recognition of abusive
injury as the correct diagnosis in the early historical cases. 737 Now, some scholars argue for a return to those times as a “path
forward.” But diagnostic and testimonial abstinence has had its day on the scientific stage. It has had its day on the differential . . .
and science has ruled it out.
Footnotes
1 The authors' use of the terminology “Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome” is not to imply that the terms are
interchangeable. It is simply to recognize that there is a commonly recognized subset of Abusive Head Trauma-- Shaken Baby
Syndrome--that is the primary subject of controversy, and that pediatricians have transitioned to a more encompassing term--Abusive
Head Trauma. See, e.g., Emily Bazelon, Shaken Baby Syndrome Faces New Questions in Court, N.Y. Times, Feb. 2, 2011, available
at http:// www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/magazine/06baby-t.html?_r=1.
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2 Id.; Deborah Tuerkheimer, Anatomy of a Misdiagnosis, N.Y. Times, Sept. 20, 2010, available at www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/
opinion/21tuerkheimer.html?ref=opinion.
3 See generally Keith A. Findley et al., Shaken Baby Syndrome, Abusive Head Trauma, and Actual Innocence: Getting It Right, 12
Hous. J. Health L. & Pol'y 209 (2012); Deborah Tuerkheimer, The Next Innocence Project: Shaken Baby Syndrome and the Criminal
Courts, 87 Wash. U. L. Rev. 1 (2009).
4 See, e.g., State v. Edmunds, 746 N.W.2d 590 (Wis. Ct. App. 2008) (finding that a “significant and legitimate debate in the medical
community has developed in the past ten years”); Hamilton v. Commonwealth, 293 S.W.3d 413 (Ky. Ct. App. 2009) (holding error
to permit testimony on shaken baby syndrome without first conducting a Daubert hearing since no Kentucky case had specifically
determined it was a “reliable” theory).
5 Cavazos v. Smith, 132 S.Ct. 2, 10 (2011).
6 Id.
7 J. Moreno & B. Holmgren, Dissent into Confusion: The Supreme Court, Pseudoscience, and the False Shaken Baby Syndrome
Controversy, Utah L. Rev. (forthcoming 2013).
8 Stephen Breyer, Introduction, in Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, Second Edition 1-8, 4 (2000) (citation refers only to the
quoted words “[not] even good enough to be wrong”).
9 Moreno & Holmgren, supra note 7. (providing a detailed analysis of the rationales and shortcomings of the dissenting justices' opinion
in Cavazos v. Smith).
10 Sandeep Narang, A Daubert Analysis of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome, 11 Hous. J. Health L. & Pol'y 505, 505
(2012).
11 Id. at 578.
12 Id. at 541-48.
13 Id. at 548-58.
14 Id. at 574-76.
15 Id. at 576-83.
16 Id. at 628-29.
17 See generally L. Frasier et al., Abusive Head Trauma In Infants & Children: A Medical, Legal, and Forensic Reference (G. W.
Medical Pub. 2006); L. Rorke-Adams et al., Head Trauma, in Child Abuse: Medical Diagnosis & Management 53-119 (R. Reece &
C. Christian eds., American Academy of Pediatrics 2009); C. Jenny, Child Abuse and Neglect: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Evidence,
ch. 6, 39-48 (2010).
18 See Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine, Levels of Evidence (March 2009), www.cebm.net/index.aspx?o=1025 (last updated
Jan. 29, 2013) (last visited March 1, 2013).
19 “Hypoxia” is defined as low tissue oxygenation. See Christian Rosenberger et al., Immunohistochemical Detection of Hypoxia-
Inducible Factor-1a in Human Renal Allograft Biopsies, 18 J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 343, 349 (2006); “Ischemia” is defined as a
deprivation of blood supply to body tissue. See, e.g., David J. Hearse, Ischemia, Reperfusion, and the Determinants of Tissue Injury,
4 Cardiovascular Drugs & Therapy 767, 768 (1990).
20 Hippocrates, Of the Epidemics, (University of Adelaide Library 2007), available at http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/h/hippocrates/
edpidemics/ (last updated Sept. 16, 2012; last visited March 1, 2013).
21 See, e.g., id.
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22 The Lancet, a prominent medical journal, was first published October 5, 1823. See About the Lancet Medical Journal, Elsevier, Inc.,
http:// www.thelancet.com/lancet-about.
23 David L. Sackett et al., Evidence Based Medicine: What It Is and What It Isn't, 312 BMJ 71, 71 (1996) (emphasis added).
24 See, e.g., Brad Petrisor & Mohit Bhandari, The Hierarchy of Evidence: Levels and Grades of Recommendation, 41 Indian J.
Orthopaedics 11, 11 (2007).
25 See Sackett et al., supra note 23, at 72.
26 See Petrisor & Bhandari, supra note 24, at 11-12.
27 See, e.g., David Moher et al., Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: The PRISMA Statement, 6 PLoS
Med. 1, 4-5 (2009), available at http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%C2F10.1371% 2Fjournal.pmed.1000097#s4
(systemic reviews and meta analysis); Kenneth F. Schulz, CONSORT 2010 Statement: Updated Guidelines for Reporting
Parallel Group Randomized Trials, 152 Annals of Internal Med. 726, 727 (2010), available at http://annals.org/article.aspx?
articleid=746833; Erik von Elm et al., The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE)
Statement: Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies, 61 J. Clinical Epidemiology 344, 346-47 (2008), available at
http:// download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0895-4356/PIIS0895435607004362.pdf (observational studies including
cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies).
28 This was the type of scale utilized by Dr. Donohoe in Mark Donohoe. Evidence-Based Medicine and Shaken Baby Syndrome Part 1:
Literature Review, 24 Am. J. of Med. Pathology 239, 240-41 (2003), and was heavily relied upon by the dissenting justices in Cavazos
v. Smith, as well as by other legal scholars. See Cavazos, 132 S. Ct. 2,10 (2011); Tuerkheimer, supra note 3, at 12-13; See also Molly
Gena, Shaken Baby Syndrome: Medical Uncertainty Casts Doubt on Convictions, 3 Wis. L. Rev. 701, 706, 710, 727 (2007).
29 See Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, supra note 18.
30 Id.
31 Id.
32 Bob Phillips et al., Levels of Evidence (March 2009), Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (Aug. 2, 2013), http://
www.cebm.net/index.aspx? o=1025.
33 See, e.g., Donohoe, supra note 28.
34 See Donohoe, supra note 28, at 240.
35 Bob Phillips et al., supra 32.
36 Mark B. McClellan et al., Evidence-Based Medicine and the Changing Nature of Healthcare, 2007 IOM Annual Meeting Summary,
available at http:// www.nap.edu/catalog/12041.html.
37 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 305-06.
38 Public health advocates, for various reasons, prefer the term “preventable injury.” For the purposes of this paper, and with no intent
to diminish the laudable public health reasons for the use of that terminology, we shall use the term “accident,” as it is the more
commonly utilized term in the medical literature in comparison to abusive injury.
39 See David L. Chadwick et al., Annual Risk of Death Resulting From Short Falls Among Young Children: Less than 1 in 1 Million,
122 Pediatrics 1213 (2008).
40 Takeo Fujiwara et al., Characteristics That Distinguish Abusive From Nonabusive Head Trauma Among Young Children Who
Underwent Head Computed Tomography in Japan, 122 Pediatrics 841, 842-43 (2008).
41 Much as all cancers are not the same, all “short falls” are not the same. Stairway falls, falls from moving objects (such as shopping
carts or moving strollers or walkers), or falls involving occipital (back of the head) impact do not entail the same biomechanics as
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simple short falls off furniture (such as beds or couches), where typically the frontal or parietal (side) areas of the skull are impacted.
The varying biomechanical forces on different anatomic structures (such as the head, the neck, or the torso) in stairway falls, falls
from moving objects, or falls with occipital impact warrant their distinction into a separate category than the “simple short fall.”
Hereinafter, unless otherwise stated, the literature reviewed pertains to simple short falls.
42 Michael Y. Wang et al., Injuries From Falls in the Pediatric Population: An Analysis of 729 Cases, 36 J. Pediatric Surgery 1528,
1528-29 (2001).
43 John Plunkett, Fatal Pediatric Head Injuries Caused by Short Distance Falls, 22 Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathology 1, 10 (2001); Gregory
Reiber, Fatal Falls in Childhood: How Far Must Children Fall to Sustain Fatal Head Injury? Report of Cases and Review of the
Literature, 14 Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathology 201, 201 (1993).
44 Chadwick et al., supra note 39 at 1213.
45 See id. at 1213.
46 See, e.g., id.
47 See, e.g., id.; see also S.A. Warrington et al., Accidents and Resulting Injuries in Premobile Infants: Data From the ALSPAC Study,
Archives of Disease in Childhood 104, 104 (2001); Julia Wrigley & Joanna Dreby, Fatalities and the Organization of Child Care in
the United States, 70 Am. Sociology Rev. 729, 743-49 (2005).
48 See, e.g., id. at 1220. Some of these methodological variances have included variations in short fall definition, variations in inclusion
and exclusion criteria of patients, and variations in outcome aspects.
49 This section is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the topic as it is outside the scope and purpose of this paper. For a more
thorough review of the topic, see Child Abuse and Neglect: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Evidence 39-48 (C. Jenny et al., eds., 2010);
Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children: A Medical, Legal, and Forensic Reference (L. Frasier et al. eds., 2006); Child Abuse
Medical Diagnosis and Management 53-119 (Robert M. Reece et al. eds., 3d ed. 2009) .
50 Hereinafter, the use of the terms “severe injury” or “serious injury” refer to their meaning within the AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale).
See Abbreviated Injury Scale, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (Oct. 28, 2012), http://www.aaam1.org/ais/;
Abbreviated Injury Scale, TRAUMA.ORG (Oct. 28, 2012), http://www.trauma.org/archive/scores/ais.html. Although it is common,
clinically, to incorporate the AIS score into an Injury Severity Score (ISS) when assessing overall trauma to the human body, for the
purposes of this article, “severe injury” or “serious injury” will refer to their use within the AIS. Although the AIS dictionary has
specific codes for specific head injuries, typically intracranial hemorrhages have scores of either 3 or 4 (3 = serious; 4 = severe) and
cerebral edema (brain swelling) has a score of 5 (critical). See Thomas Songer, Measuring Injury Severity (Oct. 28, 2012), available
at http://www.pitt.edu/~epi2670/severity/severity.pdf.
51 Suzanne B. Haney et al., Characteristics of Falls and Risk of Injury in Children Younger Than 2 Years, 26 Pediatric Emergency
Care 914, 914-15 (2010).
52 Id. at 915.
53 Id. at 917.
54 Id. at 918.
55 S.A. Warrington et al., supra note 47, at 104.
56 Id. at 105.
57 Id. at 104.
58 Id. at 105.
59 Id.
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60 Id. at 106-07.
61 See Harvey Kravitz et al., Accidental Falls from Elevated Surfaces in Infants from Birth to One Year of Age, 44 Pediatrics 869
(1969); Ray E. Helfer et al., Injuries Resulting from when Small Children Fall Out of Bed, 60 Pediatrics 533 (1977).
62 See Oxford, supra note 18.
63 Certainly, a limitation of the study was that the data was subject to recall inaccuracy or bias. But, there was little concern for
intentionally skewed data (as is a concern in suspected AHT cases).
64 Thomas J. Lyons & R. Kim Oates, Falling Out of Bed: A Relatively Benign Occurrence, 92 Pediatrics 125, 126 (1993).
65 Id. at 126.
66 Id.
67 Id.
68 Prasit Nimityongskul & Lewis Anderson, The Likelihood of Injuries When Children Fall Out of Bed, 7 J. Pediatric Orthopedics
184, 184-86 (1987).
69 S. Levene & G. Bonfield, Accidents on Hospital Wards, 66 Archives of Disease in Childhood 1047, 1047-1049 (1991).
70 S. Monson et al., In-Hospital Falls of Newborn Infants: Data From a Multihospital Healthcare System, 122 Pediatrics 227, 278-280
(2008).
71 C. Ruddick et al., Head Trauma Outcomes of Verifiable Falls in Newborn Babies, 95 Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal Neonatal
Ed. 144, 144-45 (2010).
72 P.L. Schaffer et al., Pediatric Inpatient Falls and Injuries: A Descriptive Analysis of Risk Factors, 17 J. Special Pediatric Nursing
10 (2012).
73 One author has asserted that hospital settings may not be “objective,” as there is an equal likelihood for malicious acts by nursing or
other staff in hospitals as in any other setting. See J. Ehsani et al., The Role of Epidemiology in Determining if a Simple Short Fall
Can Cause Fatal Head Injury in an Infant, 31 Am. J. Forensic Pathology 287, 290 (2010). However, hospital settings are by nature,
less private settings, with clear understanding to all within those settings of a diminished level of privacy. Given that abusive acts
occur in private settings, it is unreasonable to assume an equal likelihood of abuse in inherently less private/more public settings.
74 Julia Wrigley & Joanna Dreby, Fatalities and the Organization of Child Care in the United States, 70 Am. Sociology Rev. 729,
743-49 (2005).
75 See Chadwick, supra note 39.
76 Id.
77 Id. at 1216.
78 Good et al.'s review found nine deaths in child care centers, but six were attributed to natural causes and three to “unintentional”
causes (two asphyxiation and one pedestrian/MVA). See Susan E. Good et al., Children's Deaths at Day-care Facilities, 9 Pediatrics,
1039, 1039-40 (1994).
79 Wrigley & Dreby, supra note 74, at 749.
80 See Chadwick, supra note 39, at 1216.
81 U.S. Department of Education, Child Care and Early Education Arrangements in Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers: 2001 (2001),
available online at http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/2006039.pdf (last visited Sept. 5, 2012).
82 See Chadwick, supra note 39.
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83 R. A. Williams, Injuries in Infants and Small Children Resulting from Witnessed and Corroborated Free Falls, 31(1) J. Trauma 1350,
1350 (1991).
84 Id. at 1351.
85 Id.
86 Id.
87 Id.
88 See Wrigley & Dreby, supra note 74.
89 Robert M. Reece & Robert Sege, Childhood Head Injuries: Accidental or Inflicted?, 154 Archive Pediatric Adolescent Med. 11,
11 (2000).
90 K. Johnson et al., Accidental Head Injuries in Children Under 5 Years of Age, 60 Clinical Radiology 464, 464 (2005).
91 See Williams, supra note 83, at 1351.
92 David L. Chadwick et al., Deaths from Falls in Children: How Far is Fatal?, 31 J. Trauma 1353, 1353-55 (1991).
93 Id. at 1354. An 11-month-old child was found dead beneath a second story window. Parents were not aware of the child's absence
until notified by neighbors who found the child.
94 Id.
95 Id.
96 See Reece & Sege, supra note 89, at 11.
97 See Nicole G. Ibrahim et al., Influence of Age and Fall Type on Head Injuries in Infants and Toddlers, 30 Int'l J. Dev. Neuroscience
201, 201-206 (2012) (proposing that the fall type and age of child are important factors in the resulting injury of a child); see also
James A. Murray et al., Pediatric Falls: Is Height a Predictor of Injury and Outcome?, 66 Am. Surgeon 863, 863-865 (2000).
98 See Angela K. Thompson et al., Pediatric Short-Distance Household Falls: Biomechanics and Associated Injury Severity, 43 Accident
Analysis Prevention 143, 143 (2011); see also Johnson et al., supra note 90, at 467; Michael Y. Wang et al., Injuries from Falls in
the Pediatric Population: An Analysis of 729 Cases, 36 J. Pediatric Surgery 1528, 1528 (2000).
99 A.C. Duhaime et al., Head Injury in Very Young Children: Mechanisms, Injury Types, and Ophthalmologic Findings in 100
Hospitalized Patients Younger than 2 Years of Age, 90 Pediatrics 179, 179 (1992).
100 Id. at 180.
101 Id.
102 Id.
103 Id. at 181.
104 Id.
105 Id.
106 Id.
107 Id. Three of the twenty-six short falls had epidural hemorrhages (EDHs). Id. Of the twenty-one longer falls, six had very focal
subarachnoid hemorrhages or brain contusions. Id. All fall children had benign hospital courses. Id.
108 Id. at 182.
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109 Id.
110 Kirsten Bechtel et al., Characteristics that Distinguish Accidental from Abusive Injury in Hospitalized Young Children with Head
Trauma, 114 Pediatrics 165, 165 (2004).
111 See Thompson et al., supra note 98, at 144.
112 Id. at 143.
113 Id. at 144.
114 Id.
115 Id. at 145. These were described as “lacerations” or “contusions.”
116 Id. These were described as “fractures.”
117 Id. These were described as “small isolated SDHs.”
118 Id. at 143.
119 Id. at 149.
120 Id.
121 See Chadwick, supra note 39, at 1213.
122 Id.
123 Id. at 1215-19.
124 Id. at 1214. (“EPIC” stands for Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch.)
125 Id. (“WISQRS” stands for Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System.)
126 Id.
127 See Chadwick, supra note 39, at 1214.
128 Id.
129 Id.
130 Id. at 1213.
131 From Short Falls Among Young Children: Less than 1 in 1 Million, 121 Pediatrics 1213, 1220 (2008). Reprinted with permission.
132 Johnathon P. Ehsani et al., The Role of Epidemiology in Determining if a Simple Short Fall can Cause Fatal Head Injury in an Infant,
31 Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathology 287, 287 (2010).
133 Id.
134 Id.
135 Id.
136 Id. The single case alluded to by the authors is a reported videotaped short fall resulting in death after a brief lucid interval in Plunkett's
review of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission database. See Plunkett, supra note 43, at 4; Ehsani, supra note 131, at 290.
137 See Plunkett, supra note 43, at 1.
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138 Id. at 2.
139 Id. Since the database is geared towards detection of fatalities related to products, it can miss fatalities not related to products, and is
not designed to discriminate false histories related to products (probably including abusive injuries within the data subset).
140 See Chadwick, supra note 39, at 1215. “Nine of the 18 children who died were [older than] 5 years of age. Among the 9 young
children, 4 cases were not witnessed at all, even by other children. Of the remaining 5 cases, 1 fall height was estimated at [greater
than] 2.0 m. Of the remaining 4 cases, 1 had no autopsy, and the cause of death in that case was uncertain.... With the determination
that 3 of the cases were valid, the annual population risk for a short-fall death of a young child in this (playground) sample can be
calculated as 3 fatalities/(400 000 x 12) = 0.625 cases per 1 million young children per year.” Id.
141 Matthieu Vinchon et al., Confessed Abuse Versus Witnessed Accidents in Infants: Comparison of Clinical, Radiological, and
Ophthalmological Data in Corroborated Cases, 26 Childs Nervous Sys. 637, 642 (2010).
142 See Matthieu Vinchon et al., Accidental and Nonaccidental Head Injuries in Infants: A Prospective Study, 102 J. Neurosurgery 380,
380 (Supp. 2005); Bechtel, supra note 110, at 165.
143 Kent P. Hymel et al., Head Injury Depth as an Indicator of Causes and Mechanisms, 125 Pediatrics 712, 713 (Supp. 2010).
144 Id.
145 Id. at 712-13.
146 Id. at 712. The odds ratio is quite notable in this study. It indicates that the finding of subcortical brain injury is thirty five times
more likely to be the result of abuse than accident. The authors also found that subcortical injury (i.e. deeper brain injury) more
frequently demonstrated inertial injury and manifested acute respiratory or circulatory compromise. Id. These findings had high
statistical significance. Id.
147 See Kent P. Hymel et al., Derivation of a Clinical Prediction Rule for Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, 14 Pediatric Critical Care
Med. 210 (2013).
148 S. Maguire et al., What Clinical Features Distinguish Inflicted from Non-Inflicted Brain Injury? A Systematic Review, 94 Archives
Disease Childhood 860, 860 (2009).
149 Id.
150 Id. at 861.
151 Id. at 861, 864.
152 Id. at 864.
153 Id. at 860.
154 Maguire, supra note 147, at 866. “Apnoea” refers to the cessation of breathing (usually defined as longer than twenty seconds in
infants). Melissa Scollan-Koliopoulos & John S. Koliopoulos, Evaluation and Management of Apparent Life-Threatening Events in
Infants, 36 Pediatric Nursing 77, 77 (March-April 2010).
155 Maguire, supra note 147, at 865.
156 Id. (emphasis added).
157 Id.
158 See generally Scott Denton & Darinka Mileusnic, Delayed Sudden Death in an Infant Following an Accidental Fall: A Case Report
with Review of the Literature, 24 Am. J. Forensic Med. & Pathology 371 (2003); Horace B. Gardner, A Witnessed Short Fall
Mimicking Presumed Shaken Baby Syndrome (Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma), 43 Pediatric Neurosurg 433-35 (accepted after
revision May 17, 2007);; Patrick E. Lantz & Daniel E. Couture, Fatal Acute Intracranial Injury, Subdural Hematoma, and Retinal
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Hemorrhages Caused by Stairway Fall, 56 J. Forensic Sci. 1648 (2011); Patrick D. Barnes et al., Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury:
Accidental Versus Nonaccidental Injury, 15 Seminars in Pediatric Neurology 178 (2008).
159 See generally Jan E. Leestma, Case Analysis of Brain-Injured Admittedly Shaken Infants: 54 Cases, 1969-2001, 26 Am. J. Forensic
Med. & Pathology 199-211 (2005).
160 Sabine A. Maguire et al., Estimating the Probability of Abusive Head Trauma: A Pooled Analysis, 158 J. Pediatrics 550, 550 (2011).
161 Id. at 550.
162 C.A.B. Clemetson, Elevated Blood Histamine Caused by Vaccinations and Vitamin C Deficiency May Mimic the Shaken Baby
Syndrome, 62 Med. Hypothesis 533, 534 (2004); Horace B. Gardner, Immunizations, Retinal and Subdural Hemorrhages: Are They
Related?, 64 Med. Hypothesis 663, 663 (2005).
163 Michael O. Gayle et al., Retinal Hemorrhage in the Young Child: A Review of Etiology, Predisposed Conditions, and Clinical
Implications, 13 J. of Emergency Med. 233, 237 (1995); Lois K. Lee et al., Intracranial Hemorrhage After Blunt Head Trauma in
Children with Bleeding Disorders, 158 J. Pediatrics 1003, 1003 (2011).
164 See Carpenter et al., Technical Report: Evaluating for Suspected Child Abuse: Conditions that Predispose to Bleeding, 131 Pediatrics
1357 (2013), available at http:// pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/131/4/e1357.full.html.
165 Id. at 1368-69.
166 S. S. Acharya et al., Rare Bleeding Disorder Registry: Deficiencies of Factors II, V, VII, X, XII, Fibrinogen and Dysfibrinogenemias,
2 J. of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 248, 249 (2004).
167 Id. at 254-55.
168 See Monagle & Andrew, infra note 171.
169 Acharya, supra note 165, at 249.
170 See Carpenter et al., supra note 163, at 1357.
171 For a more detailed review of congenital bleeding disorders, see id.
172 D. B. Wilson, Acquired Platelet Defects, in Nathan And Oski's Hematology Of Infancy And Childhood 1557 (Stuart H. Orkin et al.
eds., 6th ed., 2003); P. Monagle & M. Andrew, Acquired Disorders of Hemostasis, in Nathan And Oski's Hematology Of Infancy
And Childhood 1631 (Stuart H. Orkin et al. eds., 6th ed., 2003).
173 Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a condition in which the body forms antibodies to the blood platelets, resulting in their
destruction.
174 Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) results from disordered clotting and bleeding, and this can be secondary to a variety
of reasons--overwhelming infection, severe trauma, anaphylaxis, etc. It occurs only in children who are severely ill, and may result
in bleeding in any part of the body, including intracranial bleeding. Monagle & Andrew, supra note 171, at 1633-35.
175 Vitamin K Deficiency bleeding (previously known as Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn) is a bleeding disorder that occurs most
commonly in the newborn/early infancy period. Newborns are born with low levels of vitamin K, an essential factor in blood clotting.
Unless provided with intramuscular dose of Vitamin K in the newborn period, young infants can suffer bleeding from mucosal
surfaces, bleeding from circumcision, generalized bruising, large intramuscular hemorrhages, and intracranial hemorrhage. Id. at
1635-37.
176 “Coagulopathy” can best be defined as a disorder of the natural hemostasis of the body. Since the liver produces some of the clotting
factors needed to clot blood, severe liver dysfunction can result in a “coagulopathy.”
177 Amy A. Hassan & Michael H. Kroll, Acquired Disorders of Platelet Function, Am. Soc'y of Hematology of Educ. Program Book
403, 404-05 (2005).
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178 Id. at 403.
179 See Monagle & Andrew, supra note 171, at 1638.
180 Id.
181 Martin J. Shearer, Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) in Early Infancy, 23 Blood Rev. 49, 50 (2009).
182 Id. at 53. In patients who have already received vitamin K as treatment or transfusion of plasma, measurement of proteins induced
by vitamin K absence (PIVKA II) can confirm the diagnosis.
183 Id. at 50-51.
184 Cindy Neunert et al., The American Society of Hematology 2011 Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Immune
Thrombocytopenia, 117 Blood 4190, 4195 (2011).
185 Alvin Zipursky, Prevention of Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding in Newborns, 104 Brit. J. Haematology 430, 432-33 (1999).
186 Heather McKay et al., Bleeding Risks Associated with Inheritance of the Quebec Platelet Disorder, 104 Blood 159, 164 (2004).
187 Id. at 164.
188 Pravas Mishra et al., Intracranial Haemorrhage in Patients with Congenital Haemostatic Defects, 14 Haemophilia 952, 952-53 (2008);
Marvin D. Nelson Jr. et al., Prevalence and Incidence of Intracranial Haemorrhage in a Population of Children with Haemophilia,
5 Haemophlia 306, 311 (1999); Rachelle Nuss et al., Changes in the Occurrence of and Risk Factors for Hemophilia-Associated
Intracranial Hemorrhage, 68 Am. J. Hematology 37, 40 (2001).
189 See Carpenter et al., supra note 163, at 1358-1362.
190 Roshni Kulkarni et al., Sites of Initial Bleeding Episodes, Mode of Delivery and Age of Diagnosis in Babies with Haemophilia
Diagnosed Before the Age of 2 Years: A Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Universal Data
Collection (UDC) project, 15 Haemophilia 1281, 1281 (2009).
191 A.D. Metjian et al., Bleeding Symptoms and Laboratory Correlation in Patients with Severe von Willebrand Disease, 15 Haemophilia
918, 919 (2009).
192 Ideally, the scientific literature would include studies that have systematically compared trauma histories, locations of bleeding,
amount of bleeding, clinical presentations and outcomes, and the presence of retinal hemorrhages in children with and without
bleeding disorders. However, given the rarity of most bleeding disorders, such studies would be extremely difficult and costly to
conduct; as such, no such study exists.
193 A. E. O'Hare & O. B. Eden, Bleeding Disorders and Non-Accidental Injury, 59 Archives of Disease in Childhood 860, 863 (1984);
P.G. Scimeca et al., Suspicion of Child Abuse Complicating the Diagnosis of Bleeding Disorders, 13 J. Pediatric Hematology/
Oncology 179 (1996).
194 Jami Jackson et al., Challenges in the Evaluation for Possible Abuse: Presentations of Congenital Bleeding Disorders in Childhood,
36 Child Abuse & Neglect 127, 131 (2012).
195 Id. at 130.
196 Id. at 131.
197 Id. at 133.
198 Id. at 131.
199 Id.
200 Id.
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201 See Francesco Rodeghiero et al., The Discriminant Power of Bleeding History for the Diagnosis of Type 1 von Willebrand Disease:
An International, Multicenter Study, 3 J. Thrombosis & Haemostasis 2619, 2619-20 (2005).
202 Id. at 2624.
203 See Jackson, supra note 193, at 127.
204 See Carpenter, supra note 163, at 1360-61; Jackson, supra note 167, at 128.
205 See Jackson, supra note 193, at 127-28.
206 Id.
207 Id. at 128.
208 See Carpenter, supra note 163, at 1368; Jackson, supra note 193, at 127-28.
209 See Oxford, supra note 18.
210 See Gardner, supra note 161, at 663.
211 Patrick D. Barnes et al., Infant Acute Life-Threatening Event-Dysphagic Choking Versus Nonaccidental Injury, 17 Seminars in
Pediatric Neurology 7, 9-10 (2010).
212 See Clemetson, supra note 161, at 535.
213 Where A = a specific bleeding disorder; B = ICH due to bleeding disorder A; P = Probability/Prevalence; and PTP = Pre-test
Probability.
214 See Metjain, supra note 190, at 918, 922; W.L. Nichols et al., Von Willebrand Disease (VWD): Evidence-based Diagnosis and
Management Guidelines, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Expert Panel Reprot (USA), 14 Haemophilia 171,
179 (2008).
215 Id. at 921.
216 “Parenchymal” bleeding refers to bleeding within the brain matter itself, not outside it like SDH, subarachnoid hemorrhage or epidural
hemorrhage.
217 Carpenter et al., Technical Report: Evaluating for Suspected Child Abuse: Conditions that Predispose to Bleeding, Pediatrics (In
Press). Used with permission.
218 See Carpenter, supra note 163, at 1360. Due to the method by which these forms of hemophilia are inherited, severe hemophilia is
much more common in males than females.
219 See Table 1.
220 W.L. Nichols et al., Von Willebrand Disease (VWD): Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Management Guidelines, the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Expert Panel Report (USA), 14 Haemophilia 171, 171 (2008).
221 Id. at 197.
222 Id. at 172.
223 Id. at 179.
224 Id. at 181.
225 Id. at 179-80.
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226 U.S. Dep't of Health and Human Serv., National Inst. of Health, National Heart Lung and Blood Inst., The Diagnosis, Evaluation,
and Management of von Willebrand Disease 2, 32, 41, 49-50 (2007) (stating that repeat testing for VWD may be required because
VWF levels may be artificially elevated in times of critical illness). Testing for VWD includes von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels,
VWF activity, and Factor 8 levels.
227 Id. at 32. Bleeding symptoms of VWD are generally mild; therefore, it is reasonably assumed by clinicians that there are people with
low VWF levels who have not come to medical attention.
228 Id. at 31.
229 Id. at 16. Individuals with bleeding symptoms and VWF levels between 30-50% currently pose a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians.
230 Id. at 1.
231 J. E. Sadler et al., Impact, Diagnosis and Treatment of von Willebrand Disease, 84 J. Thrombosis & Haemostasis 160, 164 (2000).
232 Walid S. Almaani & Abdulla S. Awidi, Spontaneous Intracranial Hemorrhage Secondary to von Willebrand Disease, 26 Surgical
Neurology 457, 458 (1986); Kazuo Mizoi et al., Intracranial Hemorrhage Secondary to von Willebrand's Disease and Trauma, 22
Surgical Neurology 495, 498 (1984).
233 Id.
234 See Nichols, supra note 218, at 186-87.
235 See Almaani, supra 230, at 457.
236 Id. at 458.
237 See Mizoi, supra note 230, at 495-98; O. Ziv & M. V. Ragni, Bleeding Manifestations in Males with von Willebrand Disease, 10
Haemophilia 162, 162-68 (2004); T. Delangre et al., Hematome Intracerebral du a Une Forme Attenuee de Maladie de von Willebrand,
15 La Presse Medicale 1240, 1240-41 (1986); Robert Diecidue et al., Post-Traumatic Hemorrhage in a Patient with Previously
Undiagnosed von Willebrand's Disease, 58 J. Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 332, 332-36 (2000); Kristine Slam et al., Common Bleeding
Disorders: A Potential Catastrophe for the Trauma Victim. Therapeutic Recommendations for the Treatment of von Willebrand's
Disease, 64 J. Trauma 1373, 1373-75 (2008).
238 See Mizoi, supra note 230, at 495.
239 See Martha E. Laposata & Michael Laposata, Children with Signs of Abuse. When is it Not Child Abuse?, 123 Am. J. Clinical
Pathology (Supp. 1) 119, 121 (2005).
240 Arne Stray-Pedersen et al., An Infant with Subdural Hematoma and Retinal Hemorrhages: Does von Willebrand Disease Explain the
Findings?, 7 Forensic Sci. Med. Pathology 37, 41 (2011).
241 See Mizoi et al., supra note 230; Slam et al., supra note 235. Additionally, the child with documented mild VWD and accidental head
trauma was a four year old who suffered an accidental fall with a resulting large subdural hematoma that required surgical drainage.
Mizoi et al., supra note 230, at 498. This clinical picture is significantly different from the vast majority of child victims of AHT
where the children are less than one year old, immobile, often with no external signs of impact to the head, and with thin, bilateral
convexity subdural hematomas.
242 Catherine P. M. Hayward et al., Congenital Platelet Disorders: Overview of Their Mechanisms, Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment,
12 Haemophilia (Supp. 3) 128, 129 (2006).
243 Id. at 132; Otobia Dimson et al., Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, 16 Pediatric Dermatology 475, 475-77 (1999).
244 Emmanuel J. Favaloro, Clinical Utility of the PFA-100, 34 Seminars Thrombosis Hemostasis 709, 709-710 (2008); Hayward et al.,
supra note 240, at 133. The more specific platelet testing would assess platelet aggregation and secretion. Occasionally, electron
microscopic examination or genetic testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
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245 See Hayward et al., supra note 240, at 132.
246 Id. at 130.
247 Id.
248 Laposata, supra note 237, at 120.
249 See Kzuo Mizoi et al., supra note 230; Slam et al., supra note 200; Joseph Broderick et al., Stroke, 38 Am. Heart Ass'n J. 2001-23
(2007), available at http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/38/6/2001.full.
250 Giovanni Di Minno et al., Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia (Defective Platelet Integrin aIIb-β3): Proposals for Management Between
Evidence and Open Issues, 102 Thrombosis Hematosis 1157, 1158 (2009); Jayanthi Alamelu & Ri Liesner, Modern Management of
Severe Platelet Function Disorders, 149 Brit. J. Haematology 813, 813 (2010).
251 Di Minno et al., supra note 248, at 1157-1158; Amaelu & Liesner, supra note 248, at 813.
252 See Hayward et al., supra note 240, at 133; Favaloro, supra note 242, at 709.
253 See Oxford, supra note 18.
254 See Bob Phillips et al., Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine - Levels of Evidence (March 2009), CEBM, http://
www.cebm.net/index.aspx?o=1025 (last edited Jan. 29, 2013).
255 See, e.g., Acharya et al., supra note 165.
256 Isaac Newton, Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (London, S. Pepys, Reg. Soc. Praeses 1686), available at http://
www.gutenberg.org/files/28233/28233-pdf.
257 See, e.g., Benjamin Crowell, Mechanics 14 (2012), available at http://www.lightandmatter.com/me.pdf.
258 The American Heritage Science Dictionary (Joseph P. Pickett et al. eds., 2005).
259 Susan Margulies & Brittany Coats, Biomechanics of Head Trauma in Infants and Young Children, in Child Abuse and Neglect:
Diagnosis, Treatment and Evidence 359, 359 (Carole Jenny ed., 2011).
260 Id.; See also Ramesh Raghupathi & Susan S. Margulies, Traumatic Axonal Injury After Closed Head Injury in the Neonatal Pig,
19 J. Neurotrauma 843 (2002).
261 Margulies & Coats, supra note 257, at 359.
262 Id.
263 Nicole G. Ibrahim et al., Physiological and Pathological Responses to Head Rotations in Toddler Piglets, 27 J. Neurotrauma 1021,
1021 (2010).
264 See Margulies & Coats, supra note 257, at 359.
265 See Carole Jenny, Child Abuse and Neglect: Diagnosis, Treatment and Evidence (Elsevier Saunders 2011).
266 Narang, supra note 10, at 542.
267 See Margulies & Coats, supra note 257, at 359, 362 (citing to works published earlier by Thomas A. Gennarelli and Lawrence E.
Thibault).
268 Ann-Christine Duhaime et al., The Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Clinical, Pathological, and Biomechanical Study, 66 J. Neurosurgery
409, 409 (1987).
269 C.Z. Cory & M.D. Jones, Can Shaking Alone Cause Fatal Brain Injury? A Biomechanical Assessment of the Duhaime Shaken Baby
Syndrome Model, 43 Med. Sci. & Law 317, 317 (2003).
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270 Id.
271 Id. at 317.
272 Cory and Jones also proposed different injury thresholds, which were lower than the Duhaime study. The requirement of the
experimenter to select a number, or threshold, at which injury is presumed to have occurred, is a significant weakness of a constructed
model study. Id. at 320.
273 D.R. Wolfson et al., Rigid-Body Modeling of Shaken Baby Syndrome, 219 Proc. Inst. Mechanical Engineering (Part H: J. Engineering
Med.) 63, 66 (2005).
274 Stephanie A. Eucker et al., Physiological and Histopathological Responses Following Closed Rotational Head Injury Depend on
Direction of Head Motion, 227 Experimental Neurology 79, 85 (2011).
275 Mayumi L. Prins et al., Repeated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Mechanisms of Cerebral Vulnerability, 30 J. Neurotrauma 30, 35
(2013).
276 See Randy A. Ruppel et al., Critical Mechanisms of Secondary Damage After Inflicted Head Injury in Infants and Children, 13
Neurosurgery Clin. N. Am. 169, 169-82 (2002); Patrick M. Kochanek et al., Biomedical, Cellular, and Molecular Mechanisms in the
Evolution of Secondary Damage After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Infants and Children: Lessons Learned from the Bedside,
1 Pediatric Critical Care Med. 4, 4-19 (2000).
277 Michael T. Prange et al., Anthropomorphic Simulations of Falls, Shakes and Inflicted Impacts on Infants, 99 J. Neurosurgery 143,
143-50 (2003).
278 Id.
279 Id. at 143.
280 Sébastien Roth et al., Finite Element Analysis of Impact and Shaking Inflicted to a Child, 121 Int'l J. Legal Med. 223, 223-28 (2007).
281 Id. at 224.
282 Id. at 227; see also H. Maxeiner, Detection of Ruptured Cerebral Bridging Veins at Autopsy, 89 Forensic Sci. Int'l 103, 103-10 (1997)
(Injury to the bridging veins is believed to be the cause of subdural hematomas in AHT).
283 Limitations of the data in this study include the fact that the authors of the studies did not provide properties for vessels, and modeled
the CSF as a solid material. Additionally, they modeled the vein as an elastic spring, which is not rate dependent.
284 Christopher Neil Morison, The Dynamics of Shaken Baby Syndrome (June 2002) (unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of
Birmingham) (on file with the University of Birmingham Research Archive).
285 Id. at 61.
286 Id. at 82.
287 John W. Finnie et al., Diffuse Neuronal Perikaryal Amyloid Precursor Protein Immunoreactivity in an Ovine Model of Non-
Accidental Head Injury (The Shaken Baby Syndrome), 17 J. Clinical Neuroscience 237 (2010).
288 Id.
289 Id.
290 Id. at 238.
291 Id.
292 Catherine Adamsbaum et al., Abusive Head Trauma: Judicial Admissions Highlight Violent and Repetitive Shaking, 126 Pediatrics
546, 546-55 (2010).
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293 Finnie, supra note 285, at 238.
294 Id.
295 Id.
296 Prange, supra note 275, at 149 (emphasis added).
297 “Load tolerance” means the magnitude of applied force necessary to cause injury to biological tissues.
298 Faris A. Bandak, Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Biomechanical Analysis of Injury Mechanisms, 151 Forensic Sci. Int'l 71, 71-79 (2005).
299 Id. at 78.
300 Id. at 71.
301 C. Jenny et al., Injury biomechanics research, 30th International Workshop 129-143 (2002).
302 Duhaime, supra note 266.
303 Bandak, supra note 296, at 76.
304 Id. at 76-78.
305 Id. at 77. See also J. Matthews Duncan, Laboratory Note: On the Tensile Strength of the Fresh Adult Fetus, 2 Br. Med. J. 763, 763-64
(1874); Randal P. Ching et al., Tensile Mechanics of the Developing Cervical Spine, 45 Stapp Car Crash 329, 329-36 (2001); R.
Mayer et al., Pediatric Tensile Neck Strength Characteristics Using a Caprine Model, Injury Biomechanics Research, Proceedings
of the 27th International Workshop on Human Subjects Biomechanics 87-92 (1999).
306 Bandak, supra note 296, at 79.
307 See Randal P. Ching, supra note 303; R. Mayer et al., supra note 303.
308 N. Rangarajan & T. Shams, Letter to the Editor, 164 Forensic Sci. Int'l 280, 281 (2006).
309 Duncan, supra note 303, at 763.
310 Rangarajan & Shams, supra note 306, at 281.
311 Laura K. Brennan et al., Neck Injuries in Young Pediatric Homicide Victims, 3 J. Neurosurgery Pediatrics 232, 235 (2009) (finding
that 71% of children dying of AHT had injuries to the cervical spine or cord).
312 In other words, doing the same mathematics on the same, previously published numbers should yield the same results regardless of
who does it. In science, it is an author's burden to describe the experiments in sufficient detail so that they can be repeated by an
experienced investigator using only the text of the published paper.
313 Susan Margulies et al., Letter to the Editor: Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Flawed Biomechanical Analysis, 164 Forensic Sci. Int'l 278,
278 (2006).
314 Id. at 278.
315 Id. at 279.
316 Rangarajan & Shams, supra note 306, at 280.
317 Faris A. Bandak, Response to the Letter to the Editor, 164 Forensic Sci. Int'l 282, 282 (2006).
318 Id. at 282.
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319 This author does not understand what this statement means in a rigorous, mathematical sense. However, because Bandak does not
specify even the length or frequency of shaking used in his computations, no scientist will be able to replicate his result.
320 See Cavazos v. Smith, 565 U.S. 1, 5 (2011) (per curiam) (Ginsburg, J., dissenting).
321 A.C. Duhaime et al., Head Injury in Very Young Children: Mechanisms, Injury Types, and Ophthalmologic Findings in 100
Hospitalized Patients Younger Than 2 Years of Age, 90 Pediatrics 179, 182 (1992).
322 Timothy J. Kriewall, Structural, Mechanical, and Material Properties of Fetal Cranial Bone, 142 Am. J. Obstetrics Gynecology
707, 707 (1982); Gregg K. McPherson & Timothy J. Kriewall, The Elastic Modulus of Fetal Cranial Bone: a First Step Towards
Understanding of the Biomechanics of Fetal Head Molding, 13 J. Biomechanics 9, 14 (1980); Brittany Coats & Susan S. Margulies,
Material Properties of Human Infant Skull and Suture at High Rates, 23 J. Neurotrauma 1222, 1222-32 (2006).
323 See Coats & Margulies, supra note 320.
324 Id.
325 See Kriewall, supra note 320. The “elastic modulus” is a ratio of stress to strain, and is constant for any uniform material. The smaller
the elastic modulus, the more readily deformable it is.
326 See Coats & Margulies, supra note 320.
327 Id.
328 The “suture” is the area of incomplete fusion of the cranial bone. It permits growth of the cranial bone and the intracranial structures.
Neil K. Kaneshiro, Cranial Sutures, University of Maryland Medical Center Medical Encyclopedia (Feb. 21, 2013), http:// umm.edu/
health/medical/ency/articles/cranial-sutures.
329 See Coats & Margulies, supra note 320.
330 See W. Weber, Experimentelle Untersuchungen zu Schädelbruchverletzungen des Säuglings [Experimental Study of Skull Fractures
in Infants], 92 Zeitschrift für Rechtsmedizin 87 (1984); W. Weber, ZurBiomechanischem Fragilität des Säuglingsschädels
[Biomechanical Fragility of Skull Fractures in Infants], 94 Zeitschrift für Rechtsmedizin 93 (1985).
331 W. Weber, Experimental Study of Skull Fractures in Infants, supra note 328 at 90. Five cadavers were dropped on each type of
flooring surface. Id.
332 Id. at 89-91.
333 Id. at 91.
334 Id. at 90-91.
335 W. Weber, Biomechanical Fragility of Skull Fractures in Infants, supra note 328, at 100.
336 Id. at 94.
337 Id. at 94-95.
338 Id. at 95.
339 See Richard G. Snyder et al., Highway Safety Research Inst., Univ. of Mich., Study of Impact Tolerance Through Free-Fall
Investigations: Final Report (1977).
340 Id. at 11-14, 38.
341 Id. at 38, App'x A.
342 Id. at 20, 23-32, 76, 126.
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343 Id. at 78.
344 Id.
345 Id. at 81.
346 Id. at 120-21. In another study, Snyder et al. abstracted 954 cases of children aged 1-12 years in which fall height, severity of injury,
and fall surface (steel or concrete) were known from a database maintained by the FAA of 31,530 adult and child free-falls (fatal
and non-fatal). See Richard G. Snyder, Highway Safety Research Inst., Univ. of Mich., Impact Tolerances of Infants and Children
in Free-Falls (1970). Of those 954 cases, the authors took 34 cases in which biometric testing of the patient and full characterization
of the fall and landing zone could be performed. Id. The LD50 (the height at which roughly 50% die) occurred between 41-50 feet.
Id. According to Snyder's data, with lower free falls came lower fatality rates and lower rates of serious or critical injuries. Id. There
were no deaths in falls of 0-5 foot free falls onto steel or concrete in this series. Id.
347 Gina E. Bertocci et al., Using Test Dummy Experiments to Investigate Pediatric Injury Risk in Simulated Short-Distance Falls, 157
Archives Pediatrics Adolescent Med. 480, 481-82 (2003).
348 Id. at 482-83.
349 Brittany Coats et al., Parametric Study of Head Impact in the Infant, 51 Stapp Car Crash J. 1, 1-2 (2007).
350 Id. at 5.
351 Id. at 8.
352 Id. at 2, 8, 11.
353 See Lyons & Oates, supra note 64, at 126-27; Helfer, supra note 61, at 534-35; Nimityongskul, supra note 68, at 185-86.
354 Prange, supra note 275, at 144-45.
355 Id. at 145.
356 Id.
357 Id.
358 Angela K. Thompson et al., Assessment of Head Injury Risk Associated with Feet-First Free Falls in 12 Month-Old Children Using
an Anthropomorphic Test Device, 66 J. Trauma Infection & Critical Care 1019, 1020 (2009).
359 Id.
360 Id. at 1028.
361 Ernest Deemer et al., Influence of Wet Surfaces and Fall Height on Pediatric Injury Risk in Feet-First Freefalls as Predicted Using
a Test Dummy, 27 Med. Engineering & Physics 31, 38 (2005).
362 See Thompson, supra note 98, at 144. Parents or guardians of children selected for case study had the option to allow the investigators
to: 1) review the child's medical records; 2) interview the caregiver and review the child's medical records; or 3) investigate the fall
scene at the home, interview the caregiver, and review the child's medical records. Id.
363 Id.
364 Id. at 148.
365 Id.
366 Nagarajan Rangarajan et al., Finite Element Model of Ocular Injury in Abusive Head Trauma, 13 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 364, 365 (2009).
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367 Id. at 368.
368 Id.
369 See Sandeep Narang, A Daubert Analysis of Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome, 11 Hous. J. Health L. & Pol'y 505,
548-58 (2011).
370 Steven Alex Hans et al., A Finite Element Infant Eye Model to Investigate Retinal Forces in Shaken Baby Syndrome, 247 Graefe's
Archive for Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology 561, 567-68 (2009).
371 Id. at 568.
372 Id. at 568-70.
373 See Susan Margulies et al., What Can We Learn from Computational Model Studies of the Eye?, 13 J. Am. Ass'n for Pediatric
Ophthalmology & Strabismus 332, 332 (2009).
374 Id.
375 Id.
376 Brittany Coats et al., Ocular Hemorrhages in Neonatal Porcine Eyes from Single, Rapid Rotational Events, 51 Investigative
Opthalmology & Visual Sci. 4792, 4792 (2010).
377 Id. at 4793.
378 Id. at 4794.
379 Finnie, supra note 285, at 237, 239.
380 Oxygen is carried in the blood from the lungs to the body and organs by two main mechanisms. The vast majority of oxygen in the
blood is bound to hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells), with a smaller percentage of oxygen actually dissolved in the blood.
381 Terry R. Des Jardins, Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology: Essentials for Respiratory Care 211-244 (2002).
382 Id.
383 J.F. Geddes et al., Dural Haemorrhage in Non-Traumatic Infant Deaths: Does it Explain the Bleeding in ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome’?,
29 Neuropathology & Applied Neurobiology 14, 18-19 (2003).
384 See D. G. Talbert, Paroxysmal Cough Injury, Vascular Rupture and ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome’, 64 Med. Hypotheses 8, 8-13 (2005); D.
G. Talbert, Dysphagia as a Risk Factor for Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy, 67 Med. Hypotheses 786 (2006); J.F. Geddes & D.G.
Talbert, Paroxysmal Coughing, Subdural and Retinal Bleeding: A Computer Modelling Approach, 32 Neuropathology & Applied
Neurobiology 625 (2006); Patrick D. Barnes et al., Infant Acute Life-Threatening Event--Dysphagic Choking Versus Nonaccidental
Injury, 17 Seminars in Pediatric Nurology 7 (2010).
385 Evan W. Matshes et al., Shaken Infants Die of Neck Trauma, Not of Brain Trauma, 1 Acad. Forensic Pathology 82, 83-86 (2011).
386 See J.F. Geddes et al., Neuropathology of Inflicted Head Injury in Children I. Patterns of Brain Damage, 124 Brain 1290 (2001); J.F.
Geddes et al., Neuropathology of Inflicted Head Injury in Children II. Microscopic Brain Injury in Infants, 124 Brain 1299 (2001);
J.F. Geddes et al., supra note 381, at 14.
387 Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1290.
388 Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1299.
389 See Geddes et al., supra note 381.
390 See Geddes et al., supra note 384.
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391 Id. at 1290.
392 The authors identified AHT cases either: 1) by confession; 2) by criminal conviction, with or without the presence of extracranial
injuries on the child; 3) by cases without conviction in which unexplained injuries to the rest of the child's body, in addition to head
injury, were present; or 4) by cases in which there was a “major discrepancy” between the injury explanation given by the caregiver
and “significant injuries” or “the history was developmentally incompatible” with the injury. Id. at 1290-91.
393 See, e.g., Linda Ewing-Cobbs et al., Neuroimaging, Physical, and Developmental Findings After Inflicted and Noninflicted Traumatic
Brain Injury in Young Children, 102 Pediatrics 300 (1998); K.W. Feldman et al., The Cause of Infant and Toddler Subdural
Hemorrhage: A Prospective Study, 108 Pediatrics 636 (2001); K.P. Hymel et al., Mechanisms, Clinical Presentations, Injuries, and
Outcomes from Inflicted Versus Noninflicted Head Trauma During Infancy: Results of a Prospective, Multicentered, Comparative
Study, 119 Pediatrics 922 (2007).
394 Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1291-94.
395 Id. at 1291. Although one case had only a clinical history available for review, the investigators found “sufficient detail to merit [the
case's] inclusion in the study.” Id.
396 Id.
397 Id. at 1291-92.
398 Id.
399 Id. at 1292. The authors note that the “thin film” designation was used in post-mortem reports in which the SDHs found were “trivial
in terms of quantity of blood.” Id.
400 Id. at 1294.
401 Id.
402 Id.
403 Id. It is important to note that if the author examined the other five subjects without SDH and either four or five of them had RH,
then the relationship would no longer be significant by chi square testing (p=0.068 or p=0.209). By not examining all of the eyes of
their “control” group, they falsely report significance when the relationship may not be true.
404 Id. at 1295-96.
405 Id. at 1294.
406 Id. at 1292.
407 Id. at 1295-96.
408 Id. at 1294.
409 Id.
410 Id. at 1291-92.
411 Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1299-1300.
412 Id.
413 “Histology” means the microscopic evaluation of tissue at the cellular level. Histology, Merriam-Webster, http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/histology (last visited Aug. 4, 2013).
414 Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1300-01.
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415 Id. at 1299-1302.
416 See Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1294; Michael W. Johnson et al., Axonal Injury in Young Pediatric Head Trauma: A Comparison
Study of ß-Amyloid Precursor Protein (ßAPP) Immunohistochemical Staining in Traumatic and Nontraumatic Deaths, 56 J. Forensic
Scis. 1198, 1198 (2011).
417 Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1300.
418 Id.
419 Id. at 1300-01.
420 Id. at 1302.
421 Id.
422 See id.
423 Id. at 1304.
424 See Geddes et al., supra note 381, at 15.
425 Id.
426 See id.
427 Id. The authors labeled the comparison cases as “cases of classical ‘shaken baby syndrome.”’ Id.
428 See id.
429 Id. at 15, 17-18.
430 Id. at 15.
431 Id.
432 Id.
433 Id.
434 Id.
435 Id.
436 See id. at 15, 17-18.
437 Id. at 19.
438 Id. at 14.
439 See id. at 17.
440 Id. at 19-20.
441 Id. at 19.
442 Id. at 19-20.
443 Johnson et al., supra note 90, at 1199-1200.
444 Id. at 1199.
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445 Id.
446 Id. at 1201.
447 Id. at 1198.
448 Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1290-91; Geddes et al., supra note 384, at 1299.
449 See A.C. Duhaime et al., Head Injury in Very Young Children: Mechanisms, Injury Types, and Opthalmologic Findings in 100
Hospitalized Patients Younger than 2 Years of Age, 2 Pediatrics 179 (1992); Linda Ewing-Cobbs et al., Neuroimaging, Physical,
and Developmental Findings After Inflicted and Noninflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Children, 102 Pediatrics 300 (1998);
K.W. Feldman et al., The Cause of Infant and Toddler Subdural Hemorrhage: A Prospective Study, 108 Pediatrics 636 (2001); K.P.
Hymel et al., Mechanisms, Clinical Presentations, Injuries, and Outcomes from Inflicted Versus Noninflicted Head Trauma During
Infancy: Results of a Prospective, Multicentered, Comparative Study, 119 Pediatrics 922 (2007); S. Maguire et al., Which Clinical
Features Distinguish Inflicted from Non-Inflicted Brain Injury? A Systematic Review, 94 Archives of Disease in Childhood 860,
860-67 (2009).
450 W. Squier, Shaken Baby Syndrome: The Quest for Evidence, 50 Dev. Med. Child 10, 10-14 (2008).
451 Patrick D. Barnes, Imaging of Nonaccidental Injury and the Mimics: Issues and Controversies in the Era of Evidence-Based Medicine,
49 Radiologic Clinics N. Am., 205, 205-29.
452 “Meningitis” indicates an infection or inflammation of the meninges (the outer covering of the brain). Rodrigo Hasbun, Meningitis,
Medscape, http://www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/232915-overview (last visited Aug. 4, 2013).
453 “Sepsis” is a potentially deadly condition characterized by whole body inflammation and organ dysfunction, usually caused
by an infection. Shankar Santhanam & Russell W. Steele, Pedriatric Sepsis, Medscape, http:// www.emedicine.medscape.com/
article/972559-overview#a0104 (last visisted Aug. 4, 2013).
454 “Pyelonephritis” means infection or inflammation of the kidney. Robert W. Tolan et al., Pediatric Pyelonephritis, Medscape, http://
www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/968028-overview (last visited Aug. 4, 2013).
455 “Intradural” hemorrhage means inside the dura, or not macroscopically apparent on the surface of the brain. See Geddes et al., supra
note 433, at 15.
456 See William H. Chase, An Anatomical Study of Subdural Haemorrhage Associated with Tentorial Splitting in the Newborn, 51
Surgery Gynecology Obstetrics 31 (1930). Philip Schwartz & Eardely L. Holland, Birth Injuries of the Newborn: Morphology,
Pathogenesis, Clinical Pathology and Prevention (S. Karger ed., 1961). Schwartz reports that intracranial hemorrhage was first
described in 1804. Id. Schwartz outlines the continued study of falcine and tentoral hemorrhage (different sections of the dura) in
newborns for over 100 years. Id.
457 Id.
458 See Geddes et al., supra note 381.
459 See Schwartz, supra note 454.
460 Id. at 38.
461 Jean Cruveilhier, Paper presented at Confer. a l'occasion de la disrtibution des prix aux eleves sages-femmes de las Maison
d'Accouchement del Paris, (June 23, 1831) (Fr.).
462 See Schwartz, supra note 454.
463 See V. J. Rooks et al., Prevalence and Evolution of Intracranial Hemorrhage in Asymptomatic Term Infants, 29 Am. J. Neuroradiology
1082 (2008); E. H. Whitby et al., Frequency and Natural History of Subdural Haemorrhages in Babies and Relation to Obstetric
Factors, 362 Lancet 846 (2003).
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464 See Cruveilhier, supra note 459; Schwartz, supra, note 454. Of note, when reporting a P-value to three decimal points, any value
below 0.0005 is simply reported as 0.000. Thus, a 0.0006 would be reported as 0.001, but 0.0003 would be 0.000.
465 In a subsequent study, Dr. Geddes' colleagues attempted to demonstrate hypoxia-associated SDHs, but utilized a cohort of patients
that were fetuses (as premature as twenty-six weeks) and young neonates (the oldest being only nineteen days). See Marta C. Cohen
& Irene Scheimberg, Evidence of Occurrence of Intradural and Subdural Hemorrhage in the Perinatal and Neonatal Period in the
Context of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: an Observational Study from Two Referral Institutions in the United Kingdom, 12
Pediatric Dev. Pathology 169 (2009).
466 Karim T. Rafaat et al., Cranial Computed Tomographic Findings in a Large Group of Children with Drowning: Diagnostic, Prognostic,
and Forensic Implications, 9 Pediatric Critical Care Med. 567 (2008).
467 Id.
468 The arrival at the upper limit of 2% is analogous to a “margin of error” in statistics. In statistical analysis, the 2% is the largest outside
chance that these findings would be present if the study were large enough to include all possible cases of drowning.
469 Steven B. Taylor et al., Central Nervous System Anoxic-Ischemic Insult in Children Due to Near-Drowning, 156 Pediatric Radiology
641 (1985).
470 Roger W. Byard et al., Lack of Evidence for a Causal Relationship Between Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Subdural
Hemorrhage in Fetal Life, Infancy, and Early Childhood, 10 Pediatric Dev. Pathology 348, 348 (2007).
471 M. Hurley et al., Is There a Causal Relationship Between the Hypoxia-Ischaemia Associated with Cardiorespiratory Arrest and
Subdural Haematomas? An Observational Study, 83 Brit. J. Radiology 736, 736-37 (2010).
472 Raymond D. Pitetti et al., Prevalence of Retinal Hemorrhages and Child Abuse in Children Who Present with an Apparent Life-
Threatening Event, 110 Pediatrics 557 (2002).
473 Id.
474 Amy Odom et al., Prevalence of Retinal Hemorrhages in Pediatric Patients After In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A
Prospective Study, 99 Pediatrics 861 (1997).
475 Id.
476 Charanjit Kaur et al., Early Response of Neurons and Glial Cells to Hypoxia in the Retina, 47 Investigative Ophthalmology Visual
Sci. 1126 (2006) (no RHs in rats with hypoxia of the retina); Taiji Nagaoka et al., The Effect of Nitric Oxide on Retinal Blood
Flow During Hypoxia in Cats, 43 Investigative Ophthalmology Visual Sci. 3037 (2002) (decreased retinal blood flow leads to vessel
dilation but no RHs in cats).
477 See Talbert, supra note 382. Talbert initially proposed that coordinated coughs could cause a cascade of increased systemic arterial
pressure that was beyond the threshold of cerebral blood vessels. Id. This increased blood pressure would then lead to SDH and RH.
Id. Talbert identified pertussis (whooping cough) as a “natural experiment” of this phenomenon. Id.
478 See Geddes & Talbert, supra note 382; Findley et al., supra note 3; see also Mudher Al-Adnani et al., Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease and Sudden Infant Death: Mechanisms Behind an Under-Recognized Association, 14 Pediatric Dev. Pathology 53 (2010).
479 See Talbert, supra note 382.
480 D.G. Talbert, Pyloric Stenosis as Cause of a Venous Hypertensive Syndrome Mimicking True Shaken Baby Syndrome, 1 J. Trauma
Treatment 1, 5, 8 (2012).
481 D.G. Talbert, Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome: Contribution to Dysphagic Infant Death, 73 Med. 473, 474-77 (2009).
482 See Geddes & Talbert, supra note 382, at 627-29.
483 Id. at 629.
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484 See Barnes et al., supra note 382, at 7, 9-10.
485 Id. at 7.
486 Id. at 7-8.
487 Id. at 8.
488 Id.
489 Id. at 10.
490 Id.
491 See Matshes, supra note 383.
492 Id.
493 Id.
494 Id.
495 Id. at 84.
496 Id.
497 Id. at 88.
498 See Geddes & Talbert, supra note 382, at 629.
499 Id. at 630.
500 Thomas v. State, No. 03-07-00646-CR, 2009 WL 1364348, at *1 (Tex. App.--Austin May 14, 2009).
501 Christopher S. Greeley, Letter to the Editor, 17 Seminars Pediatric Neurology 275, 277 (2010).
502 John Galaznik et al., Reply to Greeley et al, 17 Seminars Pediatric Neurology 279 (2010).
503 While the authors reported an acute rib fracture was from CPR, the vignette, as presented in the medical literature, did not mention
the presence of a healing rib fracture. See Barnes, supra note 382, at 10. A review of the court transcripts indicates that at least one
of the co-authors was clearly aware of the rib fracture. Thomas, 2009 WL 1364348 at *4-5.
504 See Talbert, supra note 382.
505 Div. of Bacterial Diseases, Nat'l Ctr. for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases, Pertussis: Disease Specifics, CDC (May 7, 2012),
http:// www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/disease-specifics.html.
506 James D. Cherry, Pertussis in the Preantibiotic and Prevaccine Era, with Emphasis on Adult Pertussis, Clinical Infectious Diseases
(Supplement), 107, 107 (1999).
507 Id. at 109.
508 J.N. Marshall, Aphasia and Cerebral Haemorrhage Complicating Whooping-Cough, 23 Glasgow Med. J. 24 (1885). While this is
often cited as a case with SDH, the manuscript actually indicates that there was not an SDH, as is often contended there was.
509 Am. Acad. of Pediatrics: Pertussis, in Red Book: 2003 Rep. of the Committee of Infectious Diseases 472 (Pickering ed., 2003),
available at http://www.aapredbook.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/2003/1/3.9.
510 Id.
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511 Id.
512 Ana I. Curcoy et al., Is Pertussis in Infants a Potential Cause of Retinal Haemorrhages?, 97 Arch. Dis. Child. 239 (2012).
513 Michael Goldman et al., Severe Cough and Retinal Hemorrhage in Infants and Young Children, 148 J. Pediatrics 835. 836 (2006).
514 Sandra Herr et al., Does Valsalva Retinopathy Occur in Infants? An Initial Investigation in Infants with Vomiting Caused by Pyloric
Stenosis, 113 Pediatrics 1658 (2004).
515 See generally Matshes, supra note 383. In fact, some cases were included if neck hyperflexion/hyperextension was merely suspected.
Id. at 83.
516 Id. at 87.
517 See Bob Phillips et al., Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence (2009), available at http://www.cebm.net/
index.aspx?o=4590.
518 Learned Hand, Historical and Practical Considerations Regarding Expert Testimony, 15 Harv. L. Rev., 40, 50 (1901) (emphasis
added).
519 In his writings, Judge Hand argued for the existence of “competent tribunal” or “a single expert,” not called by either side, “who have
possessed themselves the specialized experience” and “trained powers of observation,” to “advise the jury of the general propositions
applicable to the case.” See id. at 55-56.
520 Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923).
521 The Frye “general acceptance” test remains the rule governing admissibility of scientific expert testimony in several states, including
California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Alice Lustre,
Post-Daubert Standards of Admissibility of Scientific and Other Expert Evidence in State Courts, 90 A.L.R. 5th 453, §§ 28-43 (2001).
522 Fed. R. Evid. 702.
523 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 590 (1993).
524 Id. at 590-91, n.9.
525 1) Falsifiability; 2) Peer review and publication; 3) Known or potential rate of error; and, 4) General acceptance. Id. at 593-94.
526 General Electric Co. v. Joiner, 522 U.S. 136 (1997).
527 Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137 (1999).
528 See Joiner, supra note 524, at 146.
529 See Kumho, supra note 525, at 157.
530 While the gatekeeper must also assess relevance and potential 403(b) objections, our analysis will focus on these three legal questions.
531 See United States v. Addison, 498 F.2d 741, 744 (1974) (The Court stated, “scientific proof may in some instances assume a posture of
mystic infallibility in the eyes of a jury of laymen.”). See also J.W. Strong, Language and Logic in Expert Testimony: Limiting Expert
Testimony by Restrictions of Function, Liability, and Form, 71 Or. L. Rev. 349, 367, n.81 (1992) (“There is virtual unanimity among
courts and commentators that evidence perceived by jurors to be ‘scientific’ in nature will have particularly persuasive effect”); Neil
Vidmar & Shari S. Diamond, Juries and Expert Evidence, 66 Brook. L. Rev. 1121, 1125 (2000) (quoting an amicus brief filed on
behalf of the defendant in Kumho Tire Co. Ltd. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137 (1999), “[Because of the ‘aura of infallibility’], even
when jurors have a ‘basis for questioning the expert's reliability [they] may be disinclined to do so.”’).
532 See generally, Vidmar & Diamond, supra note 529, at 1140-49.
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533 Edward Imwinkelried, Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Genuine Battle of the Scientific (and Non-Scientific) Experts, 46 Crim. L. Bull.
156, 186-87 (2010) (The author asserts that proponents of the syndrome primarily rest their support upon the “admissions by
caretakers” in Caffey's 1974 article and on the “experience” of “forensic pathologists.”).
534 Id. at 184.
535 Id. at 188.
536 Daubert, 509 U.S. at 590.
537 William Stead & John Starmer, Beyond Expert-Based Practice, Evidence-Based Medicine and the Changing Nature of Health Care:
2007 IOM Annual Meeting Summary 94 (Inst. of Med., Mark McClellan et al. eds., 2008).
538 Id.
539 See State v. Sanchez-Cruz, 33 P.3d 1037, 1042 (Or. Ct. App. 2001) (emphasis in original) (citing Jennings v. Baxter Healthcare
Corp., 14 P. 3d 596, 606 (Or. 2000).
540 Brief of the Am. Med. Assoc. et al., as Amici Curiae Supporting Respondents at 4, Daubert v. Merrel Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
951 F.2d 1128 (9th Cir. 1991) (No. 90-55397), 1993 WL 13006285 (emphasis added).
541 See Daubert, 509 U.S. at 590 (emphasis added).
542 See State v. McMullen, 900 A.2d 103, 114-15 (Del. Super. Ct. 2006).
543 See id. at 116-19; see generally McClellan et al., supra note 36, at 94. This is to be distinguished from “differential etiology,” which is a
“legal invention not used by physicians.” John B. Wong et al., Fed Judicial Ctr., Reference Guide on Medical Testimony, in Reference
Manual on Scientific Evidence 691 (3rd ed. 2011) available at http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php? record_id=13163&page=R1.
544 See Daubert, 509 U.S. at 590, 593.
545 Narang, supra note 10, at 539-40, 583.
546 See Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community, Nat'l Research Council, Strengthening Forensic
Science in the United States: A Path Forward 112 (2009), available at http:// www.nap.edu/catalog/12589.html.
547 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 218-20.
548 Anectodal Definition, Merriam-Webster.com, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anecdotal (defining “anecdotal
evidence” as “based on or consisting of reports or observations of usually unscientific observers”). See David H. Kaye & David A.
Freedman, Fed. Judicial Ctr., Reference Guide on Statistics, Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence 90-92 (2nd ed. 2000).
549 See Finnie et al., supra note 285.
550 See supra Part V, Biomechanics.
551 Catherine Adamsbaum et al., Abusive Head Trauma: Judicial Admissions Highlight Violent and Repetitive Shaking, 126 Pediatrics
553-54. (2010).
552 Suzanne P. Starling et al., Analysis of Perpetrator Admissions to Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Children, 158 Archives Pediatric
Adolescence Med. 457 (2004); Erica Bell et al., Abusive Head Trauma: A Perpetrator Confesses, 35 Child Abuse & Neglect 74-77
(2011).
553 Anchoring Bias in Decision-Making, ScienceDaily.com, http:// www.sciencedaily.com/articles/a/anchoring.htm (“During normal
decision making, individuals anchor, or overly rely, on specific information or a specific value and then adjust to that value to account
for other elements of the circumstance.”).
554 See McMullen, 900 A.2d at 114 (stating, “Because the objectives, functions, subject matter and methodology, of hard science vary
significantly from those of the discipline of clinical medicine, as distinguished from research or laboratory medicine, the hard science
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techniques or methods that became the ‘Daubert factors' generally are not appropriate for assessing the evidentiary reliability of a
proffer of expert clinical medical testimony.”).
555 See Daubert, 509 U.S. at 594-95 (emphasis added).
556 See Narang, supra note 10, at 583-84.
557 Edward Imwinkelried, The “Bases” of Expert Testimony: The Syllogistic Structure of Scientific Testimony, 67 N.C. L. Rev. 1, 2-3
(1988) (emphasis added); see also Hand, supra note 516, at 51-52 (describing expert testimony as the application of the “major
premise” to the “minor premise”).
558 See Breyer, supra note 8, at 4.
559 See Hamilton, supra note 4; Imwinkelried, supra note 555 at 14 n.105 (quoting State v. Hyatt, No. O6MJ-CR00016-02 (Mo. Cir. Ct.
Nov. 6, 2007) (“[I]n an unpublished order, the trial judge found that the prosecution had not met its burden of proving that shaken
baby syndrome is generally accepted in the scientific and medical circles.”).
560 Sophia Gatowski et al., Asking the Gatekeepers: A National Survey of Judges on Judging Expert Evidence in a Post-Daubert World,
25 Law & Human Behavior 433, 444-47 (2001).
561 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 286-87 (in discussing the scientific literature, the authors state, “[e]ven if the causes were accurately
classified, however, this measure [the P-value] provides no indication of the strength of the correlation for it does not distinguish
between weak correlations ... and strong ones.... Yet the strength of the correlation is precisely what is needed to satisfy fact finding
requirements in criminal cases, which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Statistical significance is necessary but not sufficient
to support this evidentiary standard.”) (emphasis added).
562 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 3, at 11.
563 Id. at 12.
564 Id. at 14.
565 See Molly Gena, Shaken Baby Syndrome: Medical Uncertainty Casts Doubt on Convictions, 3 Wisc. L. Rev. 701, 701-727 (2007);
Matthew D. Ramsey, A Nuts and Bolts Approach to Litigating the Shaken Baby or Shaken Impact Syndrome, 188 Military L. Rev.
1, 1 (2006).
566 See Findley et al., supra note 3; Imwinkelried, supra note 555.
567 See Cavazos, 565 U.S. 132 (2011).
568 See Narang, supra note 10, at 596-627.
569 See generally id. at 541-60.
570 Id. at 576-88.
571 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 3, at 12-13 n.79 (quoting Patrick D. Barnes, Imaging of the Central Nervous System in Suspected or
Alleged Nonaccidental Injury, Including the Mimics, 18 Topics Magnetic Resonance Imaging 53, 55 (2007).
572 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 296.
573 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 3, at 12-13.
574 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 286-88.
575 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 3, at 14.
576 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 242.
577 Id. at 289.
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578 Rebecca Crosier, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Shaken Baby Syndrome, http://neurowiki2012.wikispaces.com/Shaken+Baby+Syndrome.
(discussing in Part 2.2 and 2.3 alternative causes of SDH and RH and the need for medical professionals to be careful in a diagnosis
of SBS).
579 See Narang, supra note 10, at 548, 559, 571, 579, 595.
580 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 303 (“In arguing admissibility under Daubert, moreover, it is unclear what Dr. Narang believes
should be admitted. Evidence that some brain injuries in children are of traumatic origin, sometimes even intentionally inflicted?
Evidence that subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages are seen in cases of inflicted abuse? Evidence that shaking can cause
the triad and can lead to injury or death? Evidence that subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages are diagnostic of shaking or
abuse in the absence of a major motor vehicle accident, fall from a multistory building or other proven alternative? Some of these
questions are not controversial ....”).
581 C. Hobbs et al., Subdural Haematoma and Effusion in Infancy: An Epidemiological Study, 90 Archives Disease Childhood 952, 954
(2005); Victoria Trenchs et al., Subdural Haematomas and Physical Abuse in the First Two Years of Life, 43 Pediatric Neurosurgery
352, 352-53, 356 (2007); Dimitra Tzioumi & R. Kim Oates, Subdural Hematomas in Children Under 2 Years. Accidental or Inflicted?
A 10-Year Experience, 22 Child Abuse & Neglect 1105, 1106-07 (1998).
582 Kenneth W. Feldman et al., The Cause of Infant and Toddler Subdural Hemorrhage: A Prospective Study, 108 Pediatrics 636, 638
(2001) (finding that 59% of trauma SDHs were “intentional,” but only 23% were “accidental'); Jakob Matschke et al., Nonaccidental
Head Injury is the Most Common Cause of Subdural Bleeding in Infants < 1 Year of Age, 124 Pediatrics 1587, 1594 (2009) (finding
that 93% of trauma SDHs were “non-accidental” and only 7% were “accidental”); Hobbs et al., supra note 579 at 953 (finding that
94% of trauma SDHs were “non-accidental” and only 6% were “accidental”).
583 Ann-Christine Duhaime et al., Head Injury in Very Young Children: Mechanisms, Injury Types, and Ophthalmologic Findings
in 100 Hospitalized Patients Younger than 2 Years of Age, 90 Pediatrics 179, 183 (1992); Kirsten Bechtel, et al., Characteristics
that Distinguish Accidental from Abusive Injury in Hospitalized Young Children with Head Trauma, 114 Pediatrics 165, 165, 168
(2004); Matthieu Vinchon et al., Confessed Abuse Versus Witnessed Accidents in Infants: Comparison of Clinical, Radiological,
and Ophthalmological Data in Corroborated Cases, 26 Child's Nervous Sys. 637, 638-39 (2010); Kent P. Hymel et al., Mechanisms,
Clinical Presentations, Injuries, and Outcomes from Inflicted Versus Noninflicted Head Trauma during Infancy: Results of a
Prospective, Multicentered, Comparative Study, 119 Pediatrics 922, 922 (2007); K. Hymel et al., Head Injury Depth as an Indicator
of Causes and Mechanisms, 125 Pediatrics 712, 715-18 (2010).
584 Id.
585 See Matthieu Vinchon et al., Accidental and Nonaccidental Head Injuries in Infants: A Prospective Study, 102 J. Neurosurgery:
Pediatrics 380, 380-81 (2005); Hymel et al., supra note 581; S. Maguire, Which Clinical Features Distinguish Inflicted from Non-
Inflicted Brain Injury? A Systematic Review, 94 Archives Disease Childhood 860, 860 (2009); Gaurav Bhardwaj et al., A Systematic
Review of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Ocular Signs in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma, 117 Ophthalmology 983, 987 (2010); Shruti
Agrawal et al., Prevalence of Retinal Hemorrhages in Critically Ill Children, 6 Pediatrics 129, 1388-96 (2012).
586 Joeli Hettler & David S. Greenes, Can the Initial History Predict Whether a Child with a Head Injury has been Abused?, 111 Pediatrics
602, 602 (2003); Duhaime et al., supra note 581; Heather T. Keenan et al., Child Outcomes and Family Characteristics 1 Year After
Severe Inflicted or Noninflicted Traumatic Brain Injury, 117 Pediatrics 317, 317 (2006).
587 See Narang, supra note 10, at 541-61.
588 See id.
589 See id.
590 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 274-75.
591 Id. at 286-90.
592 See supra Part 3.
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593 Id.
594 Id.
595 See supra Part 4.
596 See supra Part 5.
597 Id.
598 Id.
599 See supra Part 6; see also Narang, supra note 10, at 563-68. But see Irene Scheimberg et al., Non-Traumatic Intradural and Subdural
Hemorrhage and Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy in Fetuses, Infants and Children Up to 3 Years of Age. Analysis of Two Audits
of 636 Cases From Two Referral Centers in the UK, 16 Pediatric & Dev. Pathology 149 (2013).
600 See supra Part 6; Ana Isabel Curcoy et al., Retinal Hemorrhages and Apparent Life-Threatening Events, 26 Pediatric Emergency
Care 118 (2010); Raymond D. Pitetti et al., Prevalence of Retinal Hemorrhages and Child Abuse in Children Who Present With
an Apparent Life-Threatening Event, 110 Pediatrics 557 (2002); Amy Odom et al., Prevalence of Retinal Hemorrhages in Pediatric
Patients After In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Prospective Study, 99 Pediatrics e3 (1997); Charanjit Kaur et al., Early
Response of Neurons and Glial Cells to Hypoxia in the Retina, 47 Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sci. 1126 (2006); Taiji
Nagaoka et al., The Effect of Nitric Oxide on Retinal Blood Flow During Hypoxia in Cats, 43 Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual
Sci. 3037 (2002).
601 See supra Part 6; see also Narang, supra note 10, at 505, 588-89; Michael Goldman et al., Severe Cough and Retinal Hemorrhage in
Infants and Young Children, 148 J. Pediatrics 835 (2006); Sandra Herr et al., Does Valsalva Retinopathy Occur in Infants? An Initial
Investigation in Infants With Vomiting Caused by Pyloric Stenosis, 113 Pediatrics 1658 (2004).
602 Narang, supra note 10, at 574-76.
603 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 274. The critics have also lodged complaints of “observer bias” and “interpretive errors.” However,
these relate more to the “minor premise” and, thus, will be discussed in further detail below.
604 See Tuerkheimer, supra note 3, at 13.
605 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 274.
606 “Circularity” is the logical fallacy in which the manner of proposing a question presumes an answer. For example, assume that
scientists wished to prove that a pro sports team can win more games by hiring athletes who have, themselves, won many games.
Using a single season's data, they compute the number of times each athlete has won or lost; they then compare these results to the
number of times each team has won or lost. The design is clearly invalid--when a team wins, all its players win as well. The predictor
variable (number of games the athlete has won) is simply a proxy for the variable being predicted. Consequently, a circular study
tends to overstate the strength of an association.
607 See Narang, supra note 10, at 561-62.
608 See Am. Acad. of Pediatrics, Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma: Proceedings of a Conference Sponsored by Department of Health and
Human Services, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Office of Rare Disease,
and National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (Robert M. Reece & Carol E. Nicholson eds., 2003).
609 See Duhaime, supra note 581; Hymel, supra note 581.
610 See Vinchon, supra note 442.
611 See Narang, supra note 10, at 523-29.
612 See supra Part 3 A-B; see also M. Shah et al., Motor Vehicle Crash Brain Injury in Infants and Toddlers: A Suitable Model for
Inflicted Head Injury?, 29 Child Abuse & Neglect 953, 954 (2005); Feldman et al., supra note 580, at 636; Hobbs et al., supra note
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579, at 953; Tzioumi & Oates, supra note 579, at 1105; J. Urban et al., Motor Vehicle Crash-Related Subdural Hematoma From Real-
World Head Impact Data, 29 J. Neurotrauma 2774, 2774 (2012).
613 See Feldman et al., supra note 580, at 638; Matschke et al., supra note 580, at 1587.
614 See Narang, supra note 10, at 628.
615 Id. at 596-627.
616 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 274-80.
617 See Chadwick, supra note 39, at 1213.
618 See generally Kravitz, Williams, Helfer, Lyons, Nimityongskul, Levene, Ruddick, Schaeffer, supra notes 61-72.
619 See Finnie et al., supra note 285, at 237-38.
620 See supra Biomechanics, at 33-45.
621 See Narang, supra note 10, at 551 (citing Amy Odom et al., Prevalence of Retinal Hemorrhages in Pediatric Patients After In-Hospital
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Prospective Study, 99 Pediatrics 4 (June 1997)).
622 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 296.
623 Stedman's Medical Dictionary (28th ed. 2006).
624 See Wong et al., supra note 541, at 690-91.
625 See Bland v. Verizon Wireless, L.L.C., 538 F.3d 893, 897 (8th Cir. 2008) (stating that “a ‘differential diagnosis [is] a technique that
identifies the cause of a medical condition by eliminating the likely causes until the most probable cause is isolated.”’); Wilson v. Taser
Int'l, Inc. 303 Fed. App'x 708, 714 (11th Cir. 2008) (“[N]onetheless, Dr. Meier did not perform a differential diagnosis or any tests on
Wilson to rule out osteoporosis and these corresponding alternative mechanisms of injury. Although a medical expert need not rule
out every possible alternative in order to form an opinion on causation, expert opinion testimony is properly excluded as unreliable
if the doctor ‘engaged in very few standard diagnostic techniques by which doctors normally rule out alternative causes ....”).
626 Feit v. Great West Life & Annuity Ins. Co., 271 Fed. App'x 246, 254 (3d Cir. 2008) (“[A]lthough this Court generally recognizes
differential diagnosis as a reliable methodology, the differential diagnosis must be properly performed in order to be reliable. To
properly perform a differential diagnosis, an expert must perform two steps: (1) ‘Rule in’ all possible causes of Dr. Feit's death and
(2) ‘Rule out’ causes through a process of elimination whereby the last remaining potential cause is deemed the most likely cause
of death.”) (citations omitted).
627 See Wong et al., supra note 541, at 691.
628 See Jerome P. Kassirer et al., Learning Clinical Reasoning (2d ed. 2009) (“Bayesian analysis assembles a complete set of diagnostic
hypotheses that can explain a given set of clinical findings. For each hypothesis, a set of relevant attributes is identified (historical
findings, physical findings, complications, predisposing factors, laboratory results) that might help discriminate among the diagnoses.
The prior probability of each diagnostic hypothesis is specified numerically, as is the probability that each attribute is found in each
disease entity. Then, a calculation is made of the likelihood of each disease entity given the disease prevalence and the probability of
each clinical attribute.”). Although physician reasoning does not exclusively proceed in a Bayesian fashion, physicians do frequently
rely on Bayesian reasoning (combining disease prevalence with their knowledge of frequency of signs and symptoms in a given
disease) in the diagnostic process. See also Wong et al., supra note 541 at 708.
629 See J. Kassirer & F. Sonnenberg, The Scientific Basis of Diagnosis, in Textbook of Internal Medicine (W.N. Kelley ed., 1989);
see also A. Elstein & A. Schwartz, Clinical Problem Solving and Diagnostic Decision Making: Selective Review of the Cognitive
Literature, 324 Brit. Med. J. 729, 730 (2002).
630 See Wong et al., supra note 541, at 705-06.
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631 Id. at 705.
632 Id. at 706. The process of hypothesis refinement is an “evolving, sequential process of data gathering and interpretation.” See Kassirer
et al., supra note 519, at 5-6.
633 See Kassirer et al., supra note 626, at 5-6. Probabilistic reasoning is Bayesian-type reasoning where prior probabilities of diseases
are considered and combined with a physician's knowledge of the frequency of signs and symptoms in a given disease and the
probabilities of specific test information. These assist the physician in a probabilistic assessment of the most likely hypothesis. Causal
reasoning is a “function of the anatomical, physiological and biochemical mechanisms that operate in normally in the human body
and the pathophysiologic behavior of these mechanisms in disease.” In assessing causality, physicians use any reliable data, no matter
the source. Additionally, temporal proximity can be a potent factor in assessing causation. See J Kassirer & J Cecil, Inconsistency in
Evidentiary Standards for Medical Testimony: Disorder in the Courts, 288 J. Am. Med. Ass'n 1382, 1384 (Sep. 18, 2002).
634 “Adequacy” is when the remaining working hypothesis reasonably accounts for all the patient's findings, both normal and abnormal.
“Coherency” is when the patient's findings are consistent with the altered pathophysiology of the hypothesized disease. “Parsimony”
is the simplest explanation for all of the patient's findings. See Wong et al., supra note 541, at 706-07; see also Kassirer et al., supra
note 626, at 5-6.
635 E. Imwinkelried, The Admissibility and Legal Sufficiency of Testimony About Differential Diagnosis (Etiology): Of Under-and
Over-Estimations, 56 Baylor L. Rev. 391, 392 (2004).
636 See generally Narang, supra note 10, at 628-29.
637 Id. at 573.
638 See Imwinkelried, supra note 633, at 392.
639 Id.
640 See Best v. Lowe's Home Ctrs. Inc., 563 F.3d 171, 178, 183-84 (6th Cir. 2009) (stating a differential diagnosis can be adequate grounds
for a causation opinion under Daubert); Hyman & Armstrong, P.S.C. v. Gunderson, 279 S.W.3d 93, 107 (Ky. 2008); Westberry v.
Gislaved Gummi AB, 178 F.3d 257, 263 (4th Cir. 1999).
641 See Gunderson, 279 S.W.3d at 107 (citing Globetti v. Sandoz Pharms. Corp., 111 F.Supp.2d 1174, 1177 (N.D. Ala. 2000)).
642 See State v. McMullen, 900 A.2d at 118 (holding that testimony of two state medical experts regarding Pediatric Condition
Falsification was sufficiently relevant and reliable under Daubert when those experts “soundly performed” their differential
diagnosis); State v. Edwards, 2011 WL 1378927 at *3 (Ohio Ct. App. April 13, 2011) (holding that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion when it concluded expert testimony on AHT/SBS was reliable under Daubert; the court stated that “differential diagnosis
is a standard scientific method for determining causation”); State v. Carr, 2010 WL 2473337 at *6 (Ohio Ct. App. June 18, 2010)
(stating that “[t]he process of isolating the cause of a patient's injuries through the methodical elimination of other potential causes,
called differential diagnosis, is a standard scientific method for determining causation,” and expert testimony based upon such was
reliable under Daubert); Overton v. State, 2009 WL 3489844 at *46 (Tex. App.--Corpus Christi October 29, 2009) (holding that trial
court did not abuse its discretion in finding expert testimony opining that a child died of “non-accidental hypernatremia” reliable
under Daubert when that expert based his opinion on “the widely accepted practice of differential diagnosis”).
643 See National Research Council, supra note 412, at 4. Although clinical medicine is not considered a classic forensic discipline (such
as fingerprint identification, forensic pathology, or bite-mark identification), there are aspects of clinical medicine, such as child
abuse pediatrics, that have direct forensic applications. Thus, the concerns raised by the NRC are, at least, tangently relevant to the
methodologies employed by child abuse pediatricians.
644 See Imwinkelried, supra note 633, at 392.
645 Id. at 393.
646 Id.
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647 See Kassirer et al., supra note 626.
648 See Imwinkelried, supra note 633, at 420 (citing Clausen v. M/V New Carissa, 156 F. Supp. 2d 1192, 1194-95 (D. Or. 2001) (utilizing
expert description of process-of-elimination reasoning to determine whether an oil spill caused the death of oysters in a commercial
farm)).
649 Id. (citing Karl Popper, The Logic of Scientific Discovery 22 (1959)).
650 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 286-90.
651 See National Research Council, supra note 544, at 4-9.
652 Id. at 185.
653 Id. at 8-9 (citing P.C. Giannelli, Wrongful Convictions and Forensic Science: The Need to Regulate Crime Labs, 86 N.C. L. Rev.
163, 220-22 (2007)).
654 Id. at 6, 8, 19-20.
655 Id. at 119-20; see also Narang, supra note 10, at 538.
656 See National Research Council, supra note 544, at 120.
657 See Narang, supra note 10, at 538 (“‘Sensitivity’[, or the “true positive rate” (TPR) of a particular test,] is ‘the probability that a test
for a disease will give a positive result’ when the patient actually has the disease. Put simply, it is actually the chance the condition
will be found by the test.”).
658 Id. (“‘Specificity’ [or the “true negative rate” (TNR) of a particular test,] is ‘the probability that a test for disease will give a negative
result when the patient does not have the disease.’ Put simply, it is the chance that someone without the disease will actually have
a negative test.”).
659 See Narang, supra note 10, at 538-58.
660 Daniel Kahneman, Lecture at the Princeton University Dep't of Psychology: Maps of Bounded Rationality: A Perspective on Intuitive
Judgment and Choice, 449 (Dec. 8, 2002), available at http://nobelprize.org/nobel_ prizes/economics/laureates/2002/kahneman-
lecture.pdf.
661 Id. at 450-51.
662 Id. at 450.
663 Id.
664 Id. at 452, 455.
665 See Kassirer, supra notes 626 and 627.
666 See Kahneman, supra note 658, at 455.
667 Id. at 465; see also Arthur Elstein & Alan Schwartz, Clinical Problem Solving and Diagnostic Decision Making: Selective Review
of the Cognitive Literature, 324 Brit. Med. J. 729 (2002).
668 Kahneman, supra note 658, at 465.
669 Id. (citing Amos Tversky & Daniel Kahneman, Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases, 185 Sci. 1124-31 (1974)).
670 Kahneman, supra note 658, at 450.
671 Id. at 473.
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672 Id. at 455-56 (emphasis added).
673 Id. at 473 (citations omitted).
674 Id. at 465.
675 See Elstein & Schwartz, supra note 665, at 731.
676 See Narang, supra note 10, at 579.
677 Kahneman, supra note 658, at 482.
678 See Elstein & Schwartz, supra note 665, at 731-32.
679 Id. at 731.
680 Id. at 729-31.
681 Narang, supra note 10, at 571-74.
682 Findley et al., supra note 3, at 281.
683 Am. Psychiatric Ass'n, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 589 (4th ed., text revision 2000).
684 Id. at 590.
685 Id. at 592.
686 Id. at 593-94.
687 “Individuals whose binge-eating behavior occurs only during Anorexia Nervosa are given the diagnosis Anorexia Nervosa, Binge-
Eating/Purging Type, and should not be given the additional diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa.” Id. at 593 (emphasis in original).
However, in certain neurological or other general medical conditions, if the full criteria for Bulimia Nervosa is also met, both
diagnoses can be given. Id.
688 Many critics lump AHT/SBS cases into “triad” cases (SDH, RH, and cerebral edema). However, this is over-simplistic and inaccurate.
While, certainly, a small percentage of AHT/SBS cases contain only these findings, in many other cases there are other important
findings that physicians must account for in the unifying diagnosis.
689 It is important to note at this point that, for the purposes of simplicity in this example, the determination of the medical findings is not
disputed, as can be in real-life circumstances. For example, whether a radiographic finding represents a true fracture or is a normal
variant of the human body or some other explanation is another consideration in medical decision making that must be made and
involves training, experience, and ongoing literature review.
690 Narang, supra note 10, at 628-29.
691 See Reece, supra note 609, at 148-49.
692 Id. at 103.
693 See Kassirer, supra notes 626-27.
694 See R. Behrman, Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics (17th ed. 2004).
695 See supra Part 4.D.
696 See supra Table 1.
697 Id.
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698 Christopher J. Hobbs et al., Subdural Haematoma and Effusion in Infancy: An Epidemiological Study, 90 Arch. Dis. Child 952, 952
(2005); Heather T. Keenan et al., A Population-Based Study of Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Children, 290 J. Am. Med.
Ass'n 621, 621 (2003); Katherine D. Ellingson et al., Using Hospital Discharge Data to Track Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury, 34
Am. J. Prev. Med. S157, S157 (2008).
699 See supra Part X.
700 Sabine A. Maguire et al., Retinal Haemorrhages and Related Findings in Abusive and Non-Abusive Head Trauma: A Systematic
Review, 27 Eye 28 (2013).
701 Id. at 28-30.
702 Id. at 29.
703 Id.
704 Id. at 29-30.
705 Id. at 31.
706 Id.
707 Id.
708 Sabine A. Maguire et al., Which Clinical Features Distinguish Inflicted from Non-inflicted Brain Injury. A Systematic Review, 94
Arch. Dis. Child 860, 860 (2009).
709 J. Barth et al., Psychosocial Interventions for Smoking Cessation in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease, Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD006886.
710 Id.
711 Id.
712 See id.
713 See Elstein & Schwartz, supra note 665, at 731-32.
714 The standard for achieving diagnostic sufficiency is undefined. Whether it is a preponderance standard, clear and convincing standard,
or beyond a reasonable doubt standard has never been carefully explored or clearly enunciated, in the medical or legal literature.
In most circumstances, given clinical exigency and the primacy of treating the patient, the standard most likely approximates a
preponderance standard. But this is a topic for further discussion at a different time. What is clear is that Findley et al., and others,
have confused it for the standard for legal sufficiency for conviction--beyond a reasonable doubt.
715 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 215.
716 Id. at 292.
717 Id.
718 Id. at 216, 266, 292, 300.
719 Id. at 301.
720 Id. at 236-37.
721 Id. at 307.
722 Id. at 301.
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723 Id.
724 Id. at 305.
725 Id. at 309-12.
726 While Findley et al. also recommend “research” as a path forward (see Findley et al., supra note 3, at 307-08), we agree with some
of their delineated research objectives, but disagree with others (such as the establishment of a national registry of AHT/SBS cases).
727 See National Research Council Report, supra note 544.
728 Email communications on file with Dr. Narang.
729 See Hymel et al., supra note 146.
730 See Narang, supra note 10, at 594.
731 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 309.
732 See Austin v. Am. Ass'n of Neurological Surgeons, 253 F.3d 967, 972-73 (7th Cir. 2001).
733 See Melendez-Diaz v. Mass., 557 U.S. 305, 305-06 (2009).
734 See Joelle Moreno, C.S.I. BULLS#!T: The National Academy of Sciences, Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, and Future Challenges
to Forensic Science and Forensic Experts, 2 Utah L. Rev. 327, 330 (2010).
735 See Hand, supra note 516, at 56 (calling for “a board of experts or a single expert, not called by either side,” to “advise the jury of
the general propositions applicable to the case”).
736 See Findley et al., supra note 3, at 306.
737 See id. at 213.
13 HOUJHLP 203
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