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Alzheimer's drug developer accuses companies it hired of providing "medically impossible" results.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0338997.].
Non-fatal strangulation (NFS) occurs in various contexts. Victims of NFS may face barriers to disclose, resulting in underreporting and subsequent police charges not proceeding. This study aims to explore the relationship between the court outcomes, the forensic medical examination findings, and the provision of a medicolegal report in patients who are referred by police to a forensic medical service in NFS cases that do not involve sexual assault. This is an exploratory case series of 167 non-sexual assault patients aged 14 and over who reported NFS following referral by Australian Capital Territory Police (ACTP). The cases were retrospectively examined by the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions and legal outcomes were incorporated. Statistical comparisons were performed using linear regression to calculate p-values via t-tests for continuous variables and Pearsons Chi-squared test for binary and categorical variables. Conviction for any offence occurred in 73.9% of NFS cases. Early presentation within 12 h was common (65.8%) and associated with conviction (p 0.04). Physical injuries to the face or legs significantly increased the association with conviction. Medicolegal reports were written in 112/167 (67%) cases and forensic images taken in 160/167 (95.8%). There was no statistically significant association between requesting a medicolegal report and conviction. Most accused were current or former partners, and a substantial proportion had a history of prior strangulation incidents. Early presentation to a forensic medical service was associated with conviction, highlighting the importance of timely assessment and comprehensive documentation. Medicolegal reports, while not independently increasing conviction rates, remain a valuable source of evidence that inform the legal system's understanding of NFS. These findings point to the need for system level responses including structured case review, interagency collaboration, and specialised NFS training to improve consistency, safety, and justice outcomes in NFS cases.
Exposure to intimate partner violence (EIPV) in childhood can result in adverse outcomes. The objective was to determine if children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) have worse educational, judicial, or social outcomes compared to peers without EIPV. This retrospective, population-based cohort study of children (<18 years old) in Manitoba, Canada longitudinally followed children between three and twenty-two years. Children (n = 10,731) exposed to IPV between 2002 and 2019 were identified from population-based administrative data and matched to five randomly selected children without EIPV (n = 53,655). Social, educational, and judicial outcomes were extracted and hazard rates or risk rates were calculated. Children exposed to IPV were at increased risk of not meeting Grade 7 math expectations (RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.31), Grade 8 reading and writing expectations (RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.32) and withdrawing from high school (RR: 1.32: 95%CI: 1.24, 1.40) compared to children with no EIPV. EIPV increased the risk of being a victim (HR: 1.93; 95%CI: 1.82, 2.05), accused (HR: 1.49; 95%CI: 1.40, 1.59), or a witness of a crime (HR: 1.79; 95%CI: 1.65, 1.93) as young adults. EIPV increased the risk of being involved with Child and Family Services (HR: 4.50; 95%CI: 4.28, 4.73). Female children exposed to IPV had an increased the risk of having a teenaged pregnancy (HR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.43, 1.76). Children exposed to IPV are at risk for adverse outcomes and require increased supports and social programming. Interventions to prevent IPV and to reduce negative outcomes are needed.
divorce is a global issue affecting communities worldwide and is linked to adverse social outcomes such as school dropouts and an increase in street children. This study aimed to examine socio-demographic and interpersonal factors associated with divorce among women of reproductive age in Tanzania. a cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2015-16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS-MIS), a nationally representative survey. The study population included women aged 15-49 years who had ever been married or cohabited. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with divorce. a total of 9,443 women were included, with a mean age of 31.5 ± 8.7 years; 13.3% were divorced or separated. Early sexual debut, particularly before age 15, was associated with higher odds of divorce (AOR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.20-1.91, p<0.001). Employment increased the likelihood of divorce across all occupational categories compared with domestic work. Other socio-demographic factors linked to divorce included urban residence (AOR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06-1.63), mobile phone ownership (AOR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.45-2.08), and having a partner who consumed alcohol (AOR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.24-1.71). Interpersonal factors such as fear of the husband, accusations of infidelity, and restrictions on social or family contacts also increased the odds of divorce.Conclusion: divorce among women of reproductive age in Tanzania is influenced by multiple factors. Interventions such as family life education and premarital counseling are recommended to promote harmonious relationships and reduce the risk of divorce.
This review seeks to understand the global trends of contemporary witchcraft accusations and related harms against children and adolescents (0-18 years of age). Witchcraft-related violence against children and adolescents (children) reflects an alarming and understudied phenomenon of socio-culturally legitimated harm around the globe, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. 'Witchcraft' explains the unexplainable, such as strokes of luck and/or misfortune. Witchcraft accusations are linked to illness, sudden death, financial misfortune, miscarriages, financial windfall, disability, birth abnormalities, or rare conditions. Religious entities also levy witchcraft accusations, referring to black magic, evil, works or malicious spirits, to profit off families while harming the accused. These accusations result in marginalization, alienation, slandered reputation, communal expulsion, and violence, causing disfiguration, disability, and death. Children are especially vulnerable to witchcraft-related violence, including human trafficking, and ceremonial and cultural sacrifice. This scoping review will examine witchcraft accusations and related harms against children and adolescents (0-18 years of age) globally from 1946 to 2024. This scoping review excludes articles that do not report specifics of the accusation, situation, result, age of the accused, or country of origin. This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute's Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Statement. Articles published from January 1, 1946 to December 31, 2024 will be collected across academic, grey literature and web-based databases. A systematic search strategy will be applied in each database, and all search results recorded. A bibliometric analysis will also be undertaken to systematically and rigorously review the extant literature. Findings of this review will identify areas of collaboration and gaps for further exploration. The literature analysis can raise awareness and inform resource development across health care, education, social work, government, and community sectors to better support victims of witchcraft-related harms.
Child sexual abuse cases present unique challenges for conviction and exoneration due to the typical reliance on the child's testimony as the primary source of evidence. Yet, little empirical research has examined wrongful convictions and exonerations in such cases. In this study, we analyzed the largest sample of child sexual abuse exonerations to date (N = 326), drawing on cases documented by the National Registry of Exonerations between 1989 and 2024. Descriptive results revealed several patterns unique to child sexual abuse exonerations. Unlike other types of crimes, perjury or false accusation was the most frequent contributor to wrongful convictions, while mistaken eyewitness identifications and false confessions were rare. Physical and forensic evidence were presented at many of the original trials, yet in most cases this evidence was later determined to be false or misleading. Post-conviction witness recantation was the most common factor contributing to exoneration, whereas few exonerations were based on DNA evidence or actual perpetrator identification. Case narratives highlight the influential role of family members and authorities in prompting children's false allegations. These findings provide novel insights to inform investigative, prosecutorial, and adjudicative approaches in child sexual abuse cases and reduce risk for future miscarriages of justice.
Digital technologies have transformed and diversified acts of domestic violence, enabling abusers to harass, monitor, isolate, and control their partners across time and space. Children, though not their primary targets, are also deeply affected and often exploited in technology-facilitated violence (TFV). This study examines children's involvement in TFV through data from two research projects. The first dataset consisted of a survey exploring shelter employees' perceptions of the digital violence experienced by their clients. A total of 53 respondents described themes relevant to this study. The second dataset comprised four focus group interviews with 15 support service professionals from eight organizations with specialized expertise in TFV. The data from the study were analyzed using a data-driven thematic analysis. The results indicate that abusers use various tactics to exploit children, their devices, or information related to them in a technological manner to harm the child's parent. The forms of abuse observed in this study included 1) pressuring the child to become an active agent, 2) stalking by children's devices, 3) threatening, accusing, and scaring with child-related matters, and 4) undermining the child-parent relationship. Professionals working with families must be trained to identify and respond to TFV, ensuring the safety of both parents and children. Structured screening tools that include TFV-related items can support the identification of children's experiences and inform practices across legal, health, and child protection settings. Importantly, assessments of adult victims or abusers should also include questions about children's involvement.
Exonerations provide insight into how the criminal justice system sometimes fails. Exonerations in child sexual abuse (CSA) cases may be of particular interest as it is often impossible to tell if a crime has truly occurred, many cases lack corroborative evidence, and children's developmental capacity can at times evoke credibility concerns. Using the National Registry of Exonerations, we examined every known exonerated case of CSA in the United States (N = 339). We found these cases were similar to substantiated cases in many ways. Case features included a single victim (67.8%), victim recantation (49.0%), delayed disclosure (47.5%), alleged immediate family member or caregiver perpetration (47.2%), allegations of repeated abuse (47.2%), suggestive questioning (21.8%), custodial dispute issues (19.5%), and satanic ritual abuse allegations (15.0%). Several contained corroborative evidence (28.3%), a notable finding we discuss in detail. We found several case features became less common over time (e.g., satanic ritual abuse/hysteria, suggestive questioning, recantation). While policies guiding the interviewing of children have improved the ways we talk to children, exoneration evidence suggests there is still much to be learned about false accusations and room for improvement. Importantly, case characteristics appear quite similar for true and false allegations. This finding indicates that as interview and investigation protocols have improved in recent years, reducing the likelihood of clear indicators of false allegations, the issues leading to exoneration in CSA cases may now be subtler and more nuanced. As such, case characteristics are not necessarily clear indicators for allegation veracity and every case requires careful attention to detail.
To explore how sexuality and sexual boundary violations are perceived and experienced in healthcare teams and organisations. Qualitative focus group study. Mental health and disability care. In total, 56 people participated across 15 focus groups in three healthcare organisations. Participants included client experts (former clients), healthcare professionals such as a psychologist, speech therapist, sexologist and personal coach, team leaders, managers and directors. We identified 14 different types of situations in which sexuality and sexual boundary violations play a role on four different levels: between clients, between clients and healthcare professionals, between healthcare professionals and on the management level. Situations ranged from attraction and intimacy between clients and/or professionals, promoting sexual health of clients, gut feelings and speaking up, transgressive behaviour from clients and professionals, false accusations and investigations into allegations. Situations regarding sexuality and sexual boundary violations are varied and complex. They unfold at different levels of interaction within the organisation. To deal with this and come to practical approaches, it is important that clients, professionals and managers engage in reflection and dialogue about their experiences, opinions and perspectives.
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Genetic chimerism is crucial when assessing the effectiveness of medical treatments and surgical procedures. Factors that cause chimerism include genetic mutations, cell division processes, radiation exposure and cell fusion. Natural chimerism results from natural factors, while artificial chimerism results from medical procedures. It may produce deceptive DNA evidence, potentially causing erroneous accusations or exoneration of a guilty individual. This study aims to understand this phenomenon, measuring techniques and the standards followed in the interpretation of artificially induced chimerism following a systematic review of the literature related to chimerism and forensic evidencing techniques. This study comprehensively explores and consolidates existing studies on chimerism and its implications for sexual offences and investigates the influence of chimerism on forensic inquiries, particularly emphasising the treatments and procedures that may produce artificial chimerism. We reviewed multiple databases, encompassing peer-reviewed journals, grey literature and various online resources. DNA evidence plays a vital role in linking perpetrators to sexual assault cases but may produce misleading outcomes in instances involving a chimera. This concern is particularly significant where medical histories involve transplant or transfusion procedures. Though rare the potential impact on forensic investigation of sexual offences must be considered.
At the core of the common law, rooted in fairness, is the principle that an accused must be "fit" or "competent" to answer charges pursued by the state. Fitness rules vary considerably across jurisdictions but generally share the requirement that the accused be able to actively participate in the conduct of their defense. In the Canadian tradition, the common law on fitness is codified in Section 2 of the Criminal Code. For over 30 years, statutory interpretation of the law has been limited to provincial courts of appeal in Canada. Now, for the first time, the Supreme Court of Canada has rendered an opinion on the fitness test, thus creating new binding case law across the country on the question. Largely endorsing decisions rendered in the Ontario Court of Appeal in Taylor, and then Bharwani, the Supreme Court has endorsed a broadened test and fuller interpretation of the statute, highlighting that defense decisions must be reality-based and communicated intelligibly. Fluctuations in fitness are acknowledged, and while symptoms may be present, they must not be overwhelming in nature. Here, we review the legislative and judicial history leading to the decision in R v. Bharwani before providing a psycholegal analysis of the decision and a review of its implications for forensic mental health professionals. Beyond utility to those practicing in Canada, this historic and landmark ruling is thought to be instructive to those in America and other Commonwealth nations around the world grappling with the nuances of competency capacity thresholds.
Allegations of child sexual abuse (CSA) in family law cases, such as child custody, child visitation, and child protection proceedings, present complex and sensitive challenges for legal and psychological decision-making. This scoping review synthesizes key findings from 47 empirical studies examining the prevalence, substantiation, and legal consequences of CSA allegations as well as typical case characteristics in this context. The empirical literature falls into three main clusters: Canadian studies using large national datasets from the late 1990s and 2000s; Australian court-based studies primarily from the 2010s; and U.S. research spanning several decades with diverse methodologies. Overall, we found a mean CSA allegation prevalence of 8.9%, and indications that CSA allegations occur less frequently than allegations of other maltreatment types. Substantiation rates vary across studies but average around 43%, with only marginal evidence suggesting slightly lower substantiation when only custody and visitation disputes were analyzed. Deliberate false allegations are seemingly rare; most unsubstantiated claims appear to arise from genuine but mistaken concerns. Limited findings on legal consequences indicate that substantiated allegations usually lead to suspended contact between the accused parent and child. When allegations lack sufficient clarity, courts respond more variably, sometimes restricting contact despite non-substantiation. Significant research gaps remain, particularly regarding the timing and context of allegations, the association of substantiation with legal outcomes, and specific allegation constellations within families. Further empirical research, especially from European and non-Western jurisdictions, is essential to informing evidence-based, child-centered practice.
Performance comparisons are ubiquitous and natural at work and can be potent sources of social stress for employees. Drawing on social comparison and social self-preservation theories, the present research identifies perceived lower performance as a social stressor and investigates a dual mechanism through which individuals with relatively low performance engage in social self-preservation responses. We argue that perceived lower performance is likely to elicit social-evaluative threat, which, contingent on individuals' growth or fixed mindset, triggers either an upward assimilative or contrastive motive. Upward assimilative motive leads to self-improvement initiatives (i.e., learning from higher performers). Upward contrastive motive leads to self-protection strategies (i.e., withdrawal behavior, performance appraisal accusation). The results of a multitime survey (N = 371), an online experiment (N = 394), and a classroom-based observational study (N = 183) largely provide support for the hypotheses. Insights into theory, practice, and future research are addressed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Cervical cancer, primarily caused by Human Papillomavirus, remains a significant global health concern. Despite vaccine availability, uptake rates are low in many conservative settings, including Iran, where context-specific factors influencing vaccination are often overlooked. This qualitative study aimed to explore and articulate the perceptions, experiences, and actionable recommendations of health and social experts concerning the barriers, facilitators, and the perceived family implications of Human Papillomavirus vaccination in Iran. This qualitative inquiry employed Conventional Content Analysis. Using Maximum Variation Purposive Sampling, 18 female experts and professionals (Obstetricians/Gynecologists, health educators, laboratory staff, and academic researchers) were recruited from major medical universities in Tehran (January 2025 to September 2025). Data were gathered through five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and seven semi-structured In-depth Individual Interviews. Methodological rigor was ensured via techniques like Member Checking. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA 2020 software. Participants included 18 female experts (mean age 44 ± 10.7 years). Thematic analysis identified 13 sub-themes categorized into five domains: (1) family awareness and information sources; (2) family attitudes and beliefs; (3) family decision-making; (4) systemic and economic barriers; and (5) family wellbeing and policy. A central finding was the synergistic interplay between high economic costs and deep-seated social stigma. This linkage perpetuates low awareness and fuels moral misconceptions (e.g., vaccine as a “moral license”), which often lead to severe marital conflicts, infidelity accusations, and psychosocial distress within the family unit. From the Iranian experts’ perspective, vaccination uptake is primarily hindered by high cost, limited access, and deeply rooted social stigma associated with sexually transmitted infections. Key actionable recommendations include full insurance coverage, introducing affordable domestic vaccines, and implementing culturally tailored public health education to address moral concerns. These findings provide crucial evidence for policymakers to design targeted interventions that improve Human Papillomavirus vaccine coverage and protect family health in Iran.
Background and Purpose: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is commonly associated with a venous stroke. In infants with a chronic subdural hemorrhage a laminar SAH is produced by blood leakage from thrombosed cortical veins into a potential subarachnoid space previously unrecognized. This paper discusses how to distinguish a laminar SAH from a subdural hemorrhage. Methods: A retrospective review of 34 selected cases of infant venous stroke in the period 2014-2025 is based on neuroimaging studies. The cases selected are from unsolicited referrals from parents, attorneys, and physicians where caregivers are accused of abusive head trauma. Results: The median age is 3 months old. All 34 infants exhibit a venous stroke defined as the presence of a blood clot(s) in a venous sinus or cortical vein or SAH from a leaking thrombosed cortical vein. 33/34 cases feature an associated chronic subdural hemorrhage/hygroma. Thrombosed veins are located subjacent to the arachnoid membrane. 28/34 cases show multifocal (<2cm diameter) SAHs. 24/34 cases show laminar SAHs (>2cm diameter); 10/24 thin (<3mm) and 14/24 thick (>3mm). Intrasulcal SAH is infrequent. Conclusion: The laminar SAH is a non-gyral SAH distinguished from a subdural hemorrhage by its location and rapid resolution. Its combination with the adjacent chronic subdural hemorrhage is commonly and incorrectly described as a mixed density or layered subdural hemorrhage. The laminar SAH is hypothetically located between the arachnoid membrane and a trabecular coat investing the cortical veins. Alternately, it may suggest existence of a 4th meningeal layer recently discovered by anatomists in animal models.