Expert Testimony in Woodward Trial

Re the trial of Louise Woodward for the murder of Matthew Eappen, Nov. 11: The jury understood medical evidence indicating violent shaking/impact on the day when Matthew was in the sole custody of Woodward. The defense hypothesis of “re-bleeding” of an alleged earlier head injury is contrary to vast clinical experience and medical literature. Infants who suffer massive head injury do not remain asymptomatic for days, then suddenly collapse and die.

Shaken-baby syndrome is well characterized clinically and pathologically. The diagnostic features in fatal cases are virtually unique and include severe brain swelling, and hemorrhage beneath the inner skull lining (dura) and the retinas of the eyes. Those who challenge the specificity of these diagnostic features should first do so in peer-reviewed medical journals before speculating in court. Indeed, according to the U.S. Supreme Court in Daubert vs. Merrill Dow, the courtroom is a forum for peer-reviewed, generally accepted and appropriately tested scientific evidence, not for scientific speculation. We endorse the proposal of a medical-expert panel to provide a scientifically based analysis of the SBS, and that this same panel review the medical testimony in the Woodward case (and others) to develop guidelines for SBS for the courts.

HENRY F. KROUS MD

DAVID L. CHADWICK MD

Children’s Hospital, San Diego