Medico Legal – Expert Witness : Medico Legal – page 19

The cancer that’s hard to diagnose

One type cancer which is difficult to diagnose and which is consequently subject to misdiagnosis is lymphoma. Lymphoma is the term used to describe a group of cancers of the lymphatic system, first described in 1832 by Thomas Hodgkin, but it can also happen in other areas of the body, for example the stomach, skin or the liver. It can also, less commonly, occur as a solid tumour in the brain.

According to Yorkshire solicitors Grayson’s: “Late diagnosis or treatment is often the cause of medical negligence cases for lymphoma sufferers. In some types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases a ‘wait and watch’ approach is used. This is due to the difficulty in diagnosing the specific strand of lymphoma, many of which require different treatments. The potential problem with this approach is that the treatment may be delayed too long, leading to additional suffering by the patient.”

Mother acquitted over too much doubt in 'shaken baby' expert evidence

The Crown Prosecution Service is reported to be studying the possible implications of a decision by an Old Bailey judge that there was too much doubt over conflicting medical evidence in a case in which a mother twice stood trial accused of shaking her eight-month-old son to death.

Describing her as a "caring, dutiful wife and loving mother", Judge Timothy Pontius ordered jurors to acquit twenty-seven year old Fatima Miah of manslaughter.

Mr Justice Pontius said: "It is my firm view that, unusually, there is no evidence upon which this jury could find, to the extent they feel sure, that the expert opinion supporting the prosecution allegation of non-accidental death is to be preferred."

Forensic physician wins first-ever postal political selection

A doctor, who worked as a forensic medical examiner with Devon and Cornwall Police, has won the first-ever postal selection process to choose a Parliamentary candidate.

Rape case referred to appeal court over 'flawed' expert evidence

The Court of Appeal is to look again at the conviction of a man on charges of rape and indecent assault after an investigation revealed possible flaws in the medical evidence presented at Trial.

H&S law changes welcomed by HSE

The Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 came into force on 16 January, increasing penalties and provide courts with greater sentencing powers for those who break health and safety law.

The Act fulfils a longstanding Government and HSE commitment to provide the courts with greater sentencing powers for health and safety crimes. The effect of the Act is to raise the maximum fine which may be imposed in the lower courts to £20,000 for most health and safety offences and make imprisonment an option for more health and safety offences in both the lower and higher courts.