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Letter: Munchausen's by Proxy

Although it is true that the role of the expert witness is under much discussion for various reasons, I would like to point out that Munchausen's by Proxy is not Professor Sir Roy Meadow's theory (News, 28 July) but a widely accepted (though rare) diagnosis among paediatricians and social workers.

It is also not discredited - Department of Health guidance on FII (Fabricated and Induced Illness by Carers) from August 2002 has not been revoked to my knowledge.

The unsafe conviction decision in the Cannings case was actually for non-disclosure of evidence (although the role of the expert witness was discussed in this case).

Diarmuid Kerrin, Doctors.org.uk.

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