Prosecutorial and journalistic difficulties in “shaken baby” cases: “Shaken baby cases are amongst the most difficult to prosecute.

There are usually no witnesses to the crime, the determination

of time of death must often be based on statements made by

potential suspects, and the conviction frequently rests on the

persuasiveness of dueling expert witnesses.

Media coverage of these cases also rarely illuminates the key

question: How much doubt do experts have about the diagnosis

and timing of death? In coverage of the court room, defense and

prosecution experts are given equal weight – but journalists

rarely go to outside sources to determine which position

represents the medical mainstream.

As a result, public opinion can be swayed by arguments that are

considered specious by most experts.” [Newswatch]