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Experts call for change in
cot death inquiries Experts are calling for an overhaul of the way sudden infant deaths are investigated after the wrongful conviction of Sally Clark for murdering her two sons. As Mrs Clark, 38, spent her first day of freedom with her husband and their four-year-old child, those campaigning on behalf of other women who claim they are victims of miscarriages of justice said they were drawing strength from her victory. A solicitor specialising in sudden infant death claimed that six mothers currently in prison might be victims of similar injustices. John Batt, who was a consultant to Mrs Clark's legal team, accused medical experts of going on a "crusade" to prove that many cot deaths were murder. Mrs Clark, a solicitor, was freed on Wednesday after appeal court judges ruled that her conviction was unsafe. New evidence showed that her eight-week-old son Harry could have died of natural causes. The judges said "serious questions" were raised about evidence provided by a Home Office pathologist which helped to convict Mrs Clark. Mr Batt said it was becoming virtually impossible for mothers accused of killing their babies to receive a fair trial. "People don't realise how many cases like this there are," he said. "I know of at least six similar cases. All the circumstances are very similar. "Hopefully what will come of Sally's case is that in future these cases should not get anywhere near the criminal courts." When she was freed by the Court of Appeal, Mrs Clark vowed to help other mothers wrongly accused of killing their babies. Referring to a fellow inmate at Bullwood Prison, Essex, she said: "My promise that I will do all I can to ensure that justice is done for her as it has been done for me still stands." The woman, Angela Cannings, was convicted last April of murdering her two sons, Jason, aged seven weeks in 1991, and Matthew, aged 18 weeks in 1999. At her trial, defence lawyers said the medical evidence was speculative and no one could be sure the babies had not died from as yet unidentified medical causes. Mrs Justice Hallett, the trial judge, said having to pass the mandatory life sentence on Cannings was "a classic injustice". Cannings's husband, Terry, of Salisbury, Wiltshire, said yesterday that Mrs Clark's release would give them hope. "I was so pleased for Sally and her family and I'm not ashamed to admit I cried as well, I was so pleased." His wife is waiting for a court decision on whether she can appeal. Joyce Epstein, director of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, said there should be a co-ordinated professional approach to all sudden infant deaths. "Unfortunately there is a current eagerness by some to view all sudden and unexpected deaths with suspicion, particularly where there is a second death in the family," she said. "This is very hurtful to the thousands of innocent bereaved families. Instead what is needed is careful and expert examination of all infant deaths, at the time of the death." The FSID is calling for only paediatric pathologists to carry out post mortem examinations. It also wants a paediatrician to visit families within 24 hours of a child's sudden death to take a complete medical history. Dr Alan Williams, the pathologist who the Court of Appeal heard "kept secret" a medical report on Harry Clark that showed he could have died from an acute bacterial infection, is being investigated by the General Medical Council. His case has been referred to the Preliminary Proceedings Committee, which will decide whether there should be a full hearing. Prof Michael Green, who backed Dr Williams's findings, is also being examined.
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