Munchausen syndrome by proxy: the importance of behavioral artifacts

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The, August, 2003 by Deborah Chiczewski, Michael Kelly

CONCLUSION

Law enforcement officers and EMS personnel may inadvertently become involved in a case of MSBP. Therefore, they need to be able to recognize behavior related to MSBP so that they can investigate the abuse, help rehabilitate the offender, and couple a prosecution of the offender with a favorable outcome for the child.

Distinguishing between MSBP and other forms of child abuse remains extremely difficult because parents can deceive law enforcement officers by creating the illusion of true caregivers. In addition to uncovering parents living the lie of MSBP, officers and EMS personnel have a second burden of providing support in the prosecution of MSBP offenders. Police and EMS providers have contact with victims and perpetrators prior to reaching the hospital and when the child is hospitalized, the two crucial times for recognition of MSBP. By identifying behavioral artifacts, law enforcement and EMS personnel can detect MSBP at an early stage and can help remove the child from the dangerous environment of abusive parents.

(1) Marc D. Feldman, M.D., "A Parenthood Betrayal: The Dilemma of MSBP," Self Help Magazine, March 28, 1998. For more information on MSBP, see Kathryn A. Hanon, "Child Abuse: Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy," FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, December 1991, 8-11, and Kathryn A. Artingstall, "Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy," FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, August 1995, 5-11.

(2) This conclusion is based on the authors' experience and research regarding MSBP.

(3) Law enforcement officers in other states should be aware of their states' laws regarding video surveillance and all issues related to child abuse and MSBP.

(4) Preponderance of evidence is comparable to the phrase "beyond a reasonable doubt" in a criminal case.