The Syndrome

Just as we see today, An individual or small group with a lot of influence has the power to control a narrative that impacts the entire culture and has tremendous effects. In this case, just like many others, with little or no actual science or facts to back up their claims.

Critical thinking and personal research are so very valuable and necessary.

They did a great job of laying out the information, usual actual quotes and voice clips and videos to substantiate all their evidence and basis for the case they were making.

Also note, the changing of the terminology is something we see today as well.

This film is very well done. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a term that is sometimes used to prosecute parents and caregivers of babies who develop brain injuries. The film calls in to question the lack of science behind this syndrome and how over-zealous prosecutors have used this syndrome to convict and imprison hundreds of people and take children away from families. There are numerous other illnesses, accidents, and medical conditions that can cause trauma to the brain and often a misdiagnosis can cause significant problems for people who's children are misdiagnosed. In fact, many doctors and scientists now believe that the syndrome is a myth and does not really exist. The 3 doctors who came up with the syndrome also were responsible for an earlier syndrome called Satanic Ritual Abuse that was used to spread hysteria and many people were accused and convicted of abusing children for satanic purposes in the 1980s. Overtime many experts came to regard Satanic Ritual Abuse as having no credence. This film does a good job showing how believing "experts" without questioning their beliefs or validating their "science" of their beliefs can lead to major problems. It also shows how egos, self interest, irrationality, and cognitive dissonance can cause people to hold on to beliefs that are not backed up by science.

This documentary is a must-see for anyone with a conscience.

THE SYNDROME took me on a terrifying and very informative journey into the world of scientists doctors journalists and lawyers who are all uncovering that the so called "Shaken Baby Syndrome" is not scientifically valid. But the theory helped to prosecute many innocent people currently in prison. While of course it is not recommended to shake a baby, many innocent people are prosecuted with the help of what seems to be a lobby of shaken baby proponents. They are trying to silence their critics.

The filmmakers did an amazing job in their research. This is a great example of investigative filmmaking.

Hopefully this documentary can change the way these cases are seen and make our world a better place.