Review finds child experts disagreed in 47 cases out of 5000
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7455.1517-b (Published 24 June 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:1517- Clare Dyer, legal correspondent
- BMJ
The government launched a high level official inquiry last week into the use of expert witnesses in child abuse cases, in the face of a shortage of paediatricians willing to undertake court work.
Margaret Hodge, the children's minister, announced that the chief medical officer for England, Professor Liam Donaldson, would look at the competencies required to give expert evidence in the family courts, and ways of remedying the dearth of paediatricians, paediatric pathologists, and other experts who will agree to do the work.
The move comes amid what seems to be a …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.