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Category: Flawed Forensics

This series examines flaws in scientific tests and techniques used to solve crimes — and how well the justice system addresses those shortcomings.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety

Two couples sue former UW child abuse doctor for alleged misdiagnoses

Avatar photo by Hope Karnopp / Wisconsin Watch August 27th, 2022November 29th, 2023 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Dr. Barbara Knox left Wisconsin and Alaska amid allegations of workplace bullying and wrongful diagnoses of child abuse; she now practices in Florida.

Posted inFlawed Forensics

A controversial doctor. A disputed abuse diagnosis. Two convicted Wisconsin men say they are innocent.

Avatar photo by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch April 30th, 2022January 16th, 2023 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Dakota Black and Joshua Gehde are in prison for homicide after former UW Dr. Barbara Knox accused them of inflicting abusive head trauma.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Justice & Safety

Embattled former UW child abuse pediatrician resigns Alaska position

Avatar photoAvatar photo by Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News and Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch January 28th, 2022February 3rd, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Parents and caregivers say their lives were upended after Dr. Barbara Knox wrongly diagnosed children’s illnesses or accidental injuries as abuse.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Opinion

Opinion: Alaska’s children deserve better

by Sarah Wood January 27th, 2022January 27th, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A former Alaska CARES employee speaks out against the actions of Dr. Barbara Knox.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Justice & Safety

‘We were robbed’: Alaska couple loses custody of kids after erroneous abuse diagnosis from former UW doctor

Avatar photoAvatar photo by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News January 20th, 2022February 1st, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Experts say former University of Wisconsin Dr. Barbara Knox ignored birth injuries in diagnosing a Fairbanks baby as suffering from child abuse.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety

Wisconsin caregiver spent eight years, $250,000 in legal bills to exonerate herself from abuse charges

Avatar photo by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch December 4th, 2021February 16th, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Former University of Wisconsin Dr. Barbara Knox decided a young boy who collapsed at a home day care was abused. A prosecutor and jurors disagreed.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety

Child abuse cases sparked by Dr. Barbara Knox rejected by Wisconsin judge, jury and prosecutor

Avatar photo by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch December 2nd, 2021February 16th, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

The criminal justice system has repeatedly rebuffed the medical opinions of the former University of Wisconsin child abuse pediatrician.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety

Parents recount terror of wrongful child abuse diagnoses from former University of Wisconsin doctor

Avatar photo by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch November 27th, 2021May 4th, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Seven Wisconsin families faced child abuse investigations triggered by Dr. Barbara Knox — suspicions later rejected by other doctors, police and child welfare officials.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety

Mass exodus at Alaska child abuse clinic as former Wisconsin doctor accused of bullying, misdiagnoses

Avatar photoAvatar photo by Brenda Wintrode / Wisconsin Watch and Michelle Theriault Boots / Anchorage Daily News November 15th, 2021March 14th, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Alaska CARES hired Dr. Barbara Knox after the University of Wisconsin suspended her in 2019 for allegedly bullying colleagues.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety

Jury rejects child abuse charge triggered by former University of Wisconsin doctor

Avatar photo by Dee J. Hall / Wisconsin Watch November 13th, 2021November 11th, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Dr. Barbara Knox’s declaration of ‘obvious child abuse’ fell apart after a five-day trial that centered on the controversial diagnosis of abusive head trauma.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety

University of Wisconsin child abuse doctor leaves a trail of accusations of bullying from colleagues, parents

Avatar photo by Dee J. Hall / Wisconsin Watch February 29th, 2020November 11th, 2022 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

A couple says Dr. Barbara Knox wrongly suspected child abuse. A forensic pathologist testifies Knox pressured him to report an injury he did not see.

Posted inFlawed Forensics, Justice & Safety

Wisconsin man, casualty of flawed hair forensics, latest to be exonerated

Avatar photo by Dee J. Hall / Wisconsin Watch May 18th, 2018October 8th, 2018 Why you can trust Wisconsin Watch

Charges against Richard Beranek were dropped after DNA proved hair and semen from rape were not his; junk hair analysis cause of numerous wrongful convictions.

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