2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

A Comprehensive Study on Medical Evidence in Alleged Infant and Child Abuse Cases

Research Project

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Project/Area Number	20K01359
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Section	一般
Review Section	Basic Section 05050:Criminal law-related
Research Institution	Konan University
Principal Investigator	Sasakura Kana 甲南大学, 法学部, 教授 (00516982)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	小保内俊雅東京女子医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (20385412) 徳永光獨協大学, 法学部, 教授 (20388755) 朴永銖奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 病院教授 (80364066) 埜中正博関西医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (90577462)
Project Period (FY)	2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
Keywords	乳幼児揺さぶられ症候群（SBS) / 虐待による乳幼児頭部外傷(AHT) / 誤判・冤罪 / 刑事裁判 / 医学的証拠 / 科学的証拠 / 児童虐待 / 適正手続
Outline of Final Research Achievements	The purpose of this study was to comprehensively examine the topic of medical evidence in criminal proceedings, especially in infantile abuse cases, from legal and medical perspectives. It examined how medical opinions and medical evidence should be developed and brought into courtroom as evidence. The significance of proper process of producing medical evidence was highlighted. The importance of experts giving opinions within the scope of their areas of expertise and the need for multidisciplinary discussion and review by experts based on latest scientific research findings was also emphasized. This study not only contributed to the domestic debate on the problem of medical evidence in criminal proceedings, but also has an impact on the development of international discussions.
Free Research Field	刑事訴訟法
Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements	乳幼児虐待の中でも特に注目を集めている「乳幼児揺さぶられ症候群(SBS)」および「虐待による乳幼児頭部外傷(AHT)」の事案では、医学的判断や証拠が一部の医師の「虐待防止」を絶対視する価値観に支配され、「虐待ありき」の結論を短絡的に導いてきた。医学的証拠が裁判に提出され、誤判・冤罪の原因となったことも指摘されている。本研究の開始後も連続して多数のSBS/AHT事件で無罪判決が確定した。本研究はこれらの事案における医学的証拠の形成プロセスや法廷への顕出のあり方（鑑定意見書や証言のあり方）を検討し、適正化するための方策を提言するもので、誤判・冤罪を防ぎ、科学的な虐待診断・判断を行うことに貢献する。