Paediatric medico-legal reports
Criminal Expert Witness Reports in Non-Accidental Injury Cases
We provide independent paediatric expert witnesses for criminal cases involving alleged non-accidental injury, using court-experienced consultants. Reports are written to the Criminal Procedure Rules, and you see the expert’s CV before you instruct.
Overview
What a criminal non-accidental injury case involves
In a criminal non-accidental injury case the court must be sure of what happened, and the medical evidence is central to that. A paediatric report addresses the nature and likely cause of the injuries, the range of possible explanations, and whether the medical findings support or are consistent with the account given. The expert’s role is to set out the medical picture even-handedly, not to argue a side. Where the allegation concerns head injury, see abusive head trauma and shaken baby.
Reports we produce
The report a criminal case relies on
One independent report addressing the injuries and their likely cause, the timing where imaging allows, and the alternative medical explanations. Where fractures or head injury are in issue, a paediatric radiologist or the relevant specialist contributes to the assessment.
Which experts report
Court-experienced consultants only
Court-experienced consultants only for this work, given what is at stake. Depending on the injuries, this may include a general paediatrician, a paediatric radiologist for fracture dating, and a specialist in head injury. We confirm the discipline and experience, and provide the CV before you instruct.
Jurisdiction and funding
Where these cases run, and how they are funded
These cases run in England and Wales under the Criminal Procedure Rules, and we can advise on the position in Scotland and Northern Ireland where a matter sits there. Reports are usually funded through criminal legal aid for the defence, or privately. We provide a same-working-day quotation and confirm terms in writing before instruction.
From instruction to report
How an instruction proceeds
Send the instruction and the records and imaging, and we allocate a court-experienced expert within 48 hours and provide the CV. Turnaround depends on the material but is confirmed at the outset. One named case manager stays with you throughout. For the documents we need at the outset, see how to instruct.
FAQ
Criminal non-accidental injury: common questions
Yes. This work is handled by court-experienced consultants only.
Yes. The report sets out the range of possible medical explanations, not only the prosecution’s or defence’s case.
A paediatric radiologist, where imaging allows the timing of injuries to be assessed.
Yes. Criminal legal aid and private funding are both accepted; terms are confirmed before instruction.
Instructing on a criminal non-accidental injury case?
Send your case details and we will allocate a court-experienced expert within 48 hours, with a same-working-day quotation and the CV before you instruct.