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NJ high court rules shaken baby syndrome testimony unreliable and inadmissible in child abuse cases
The court ruled expert testimony on shaken baby syndrome is inadmissible due to lack of biomechanical support, affecting two criminal trials in New Jersey.
- On Nov. 20, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled expert testimony about shaken baby syndrome is scientifically unreliable and inadmissible in the Middlesex County trials of Darryl Nieves and Michael Cifelli.
- Focusing on shaking-without-impact, the justices said the SBS/AHT diagnosis lacks general acceptance in the biomechanical community and there is no test proving humans can generate the needed force.
- The Mayo Clinic and medical societies describe symptoms like bleeding around the brain, brain swelling and retinal hemorrhages, linking forceful shaking to brain damage and death, with over 1,000 cases reported annually in the U.S.
- Officials reacted with opposing views: the public defender's office hailed the decision as `landmark` for requiring `reliable, well-supported scientific evidence`, while the state Attorney General and Division of Child Protection and Permanency called it `a significant setback to public safety`, and defense attorneys predict appeals.
- Justice Wainer Apter countered that every other U.S. state and other courts admit shaken baby syndrome testimony, while defense lawyers and scientists cite overturned convictions in other states.
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NJ high court rules shaken baby syndrome testimony unreliable and inadmissible in child abuse cases
New Jersey’s highest court ruled Thursday that expert testimony about shaken baby syndrome is scientifically unreliable and inadmissible in two upcoming trials, a decision that comes as the long-held medical diagnoses have come under increased scrutiny. The New Jersey Supreme Court determined that a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, which is also known as abusive […]
·Toronto, Canada
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NJ high court rules shaken baby syndrome testimony unreliable and inadmissible in child abuse cases
New Jersey’s highest court has ruled that expert testimony about shaken baby syndrome is scientifically unreliable and inadmissible in two upcoming trials. The New Jersey Supreme Court found in its Thursday decision that a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is…
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Leaning Left6Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Left, 40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 40%
C 40%
R 20%
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