Justice For Families

Here's an interesting one; scientists scanning the cortex of a woman imprisoned for MSBP/Witchcraft Syndrome, whose involuntary responses under an MRI scan are those to be expected from an innocent person.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18029153

It's chargeable academic article so I won't reprint it, but the

'Munchausen's syndrome by proxy' or a 'miscarriage of justice'? An initial application of functional neuroimaging to the question of guilt versus innocence
Spence SA, Kaylor-Hughes CJ, Brook ML, Lankappa ST, Wilkinson ID.
Academic Clinical Psychiatry, University of Sheffield, The Longley Centre, Norwood Grange Drive, Sheffield, UK. s.a.spence@sheffield.ac.uk

'Munchausen's syndrome by proxy' characteristically describes women alleged to have fabricated or induced illnesses in children under their care, purportedly to attract attention. Where conclusive evidence exists the condition's aetiology remains speculative, where such evidence is lacking diagnosis hinges upon denial of wrong-doing (conduct also compatible with innocence).

How might investigators obtain objective evidence of guilt or innocence? Here, we examine the case of a woman convicted of poisoning a child. She served a prison sentence but continues to profess her innocence. Using a modified fMRI protocol (previously published in 2001) we scanned the subject while she affirmed her account of events and that of her accusers. We hypothesized that she would exhibit longer response times in association with greater activation of ventrolateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices when endorsing those statements she believed to be false (i.e., when she 'lied').

The subject was scanned 4 times at 3 Tesla. Results revealed significantly longer response times and relatively greater activation of ventrolateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices when she endorsed her accusers' version of events. Hence, while we have not 'proven' that this subject is innocent, we demonstrate that her behavioural and functional anatomical parameters behave as if she were.


Notice the reference to where such evidence is lacking diagnosis hinges upon denial of wrong-doing? This is the feature that determines that MSBP really is Witchcraft Syndrome by any other name, pricipally because it pinches the "ducking stool" accusatory logic from the 17th Century.

Technology maybe can be the saviour.

If MRI scans can prove a mother is telling the truth, then inspite of SS claims, can it be used to launch an appeal.

Can it be used to stop MSBP forced adoptions, as a legal defence?

This is an utter disgrace, that we have to resort to these means to stop the SS.

Secrets wrote:Technology maybe can be the saviour.

If MRI scans can prove a mother is telling the truth, then inspite of SS claims, can it be used to launch an appeal.

Can it be used to stop MSBP forced adoptions, as a legal defence?

This is an utter disgrace, that we have to resort to these means to stop the SS.

It's quite a popular developing research stream - using an MRI scanner to detect lying.

But (cynic mode here) I have to say that it is "proper science".

And the Secret Courts show no real interest in "proper science." Within a decade each Court will have it's own voodoo "expert" on tap, plus the ducking-stool where the stenographer used to sit.

The car park outside will be replaced with a stake and a plentiful supply of timber, and for some reason all social workers will only speak Latin.

Time for us to sign up for Latin classes at night school then.

And wear purple robes.

"No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition" - The Pythons

I doubt this kind of research is too popular amongst the advocates of MSBP.

It's an almost perfect schema to use; accuse a woman of being mad - and should she be "rebellious" and dare deny the accusation, then that in itself is sufficient "proof" of witchcraft - sorry Munchausen's.

To use it is to abuse it I guess.

What about brain scanning social workers & other “professionals” who accuse these women? It would be an easier route & would solve many problems.