Practical Aspects of Munchausen by Proxy and Munchausen Syndrome Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigation) [Hardcover]

Kathryn Artingstall (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 1998 | Series: Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigation (Book 20)

It is essential for anyone involved in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases to be aware of the often hidden and subtle warning signs of Munchausen by Proxy. Munchausen syndrome, classified as a mental illness, occurs when a person inflicts or fabricates illness upon themselves, often as an attention-getting device. Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) is an even more insidious disorder in that such illness or injury is inflicted upon a victim-usually a child.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 355 pages
• Publisher: CRC-Press; 1 edition (December 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849381622
• ISBN-13: 978-0849381621
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,685,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important work from an acknowledged expert in the field., July 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Practical Aspects of Munchausen by Proxy and Munchausen Syndrome Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigation) (Hardcover)

Detective Artingstall is well-known for her body of writings and her experience in Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen by proxy cases. In this authoritative work, she provides insights and practical assistance missing from most other books on the subject. Legal forms, lists of pertinent questions to ask as cases are examined, and summaries of chapter highlights are among the useful elements of the book. The book is also liberally dotted with case studies, including legal outcomes. Although the copy-editing is not as thorough as I would have liked, the content of the book is outstanding. Detective Artingstall's book will be an often-cited resource for practitioners of multiple disciplines--social work, law enforcement, nursing, medicine, child protection, and more. While factitious disorder and Munchausen syndrome have been long-acknowledged in the professional literature, the type of abuse called Munchausen by proxy has been recognized and studied only within the last 2 decades. Works such as this one--based on a mastery of the literature, a wealth of personal experience, and an abiding desire to uncover the truth (no matter how disturbing)--will be invaluable in irrefutably establishing Munchausen by proxy as a public health and criminal-justice issue that requires our careful attention.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful law enforcement field guide, May 23, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Practical Aspects of Munchausen by Proxy and Munchausen Syndrome Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigation) (Hardcover)

Obviously the author of the one star review has had some negative experience with regards to the subject matter of this book. To call the information "outdated" is ludicrous in that so little information has been available for so long. Those that have participated in the web of deceit referred to as Munchausen's Syndrome find it difficult to accept the truth and are often on the offensive with anyone that possesses the knowledge of this disorder and its existance. Their anger and resentment is further exacerbated when this information is conveyed in any logical, fact based manner.

3 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Over-priced and Out Dated!, July 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Practical Aspects of Munchausen by Proxy and Munchausen Syndrome Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigation) (Hardcover)

This witch-hunt is over. The creator of MSBP (Roy Meadow) has been exposed and discredited for his "fanciful tales" and courts all over the UK are overturning convictions. Courts in the US are recognizing that this is not a diagnosis accepted by any medical establishment.

Child abuse can not be diagnosied by warning signs and attention-seeking behavior can only be diagnosed by a qualified professional once a crime has been established by medical fact.