ROBERT N. PARRISH, J.D.
ATTORNEY AT LAW
4661 So. Summerview Road
Bountiful, Utah 84010
801-294-7732
Cell # 801-750-7837
Email addresses: [email protected];
[email protected]
EDUCATION
University of Utah College of Law,
Juris Doctor, 1980
University of Utah,
Bachelor of Science, Philosophy, 1977
Magna Cum Laude
HONORS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
University of Utah Leadership Scholarship, 1975
University of Utah Departmental Scholarship, Philosophy Department, 1976-77
Phi Kappa Phi
Phi Beta Kappa
Chairman, Investigation Committee, University of Utah
College of Law, 1979
Outstanding Young Men of America - 1987
Child Advocate of the Year Award recipient - Presented in March, 1994 by the Utah Chapter for
Prevention of Child Abuse
President’s Honor Roll Award, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children - June,
1998
EMPLOYMENT
Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Deputy District Attorney,
Special Victim Team, March 3, 2008 to present
Prosecuting Attorney with a caseload of 120 cases including violent felonies and child
physical abuse.. Specialize in serious child physical abuse cases and child homicide
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cases, where I act as co-counsel with Special Victim Team prosecutors. Assigned to all
child murders and serious physical abuse cases in Salt Lake County. Conduct training
for other prosecutors and investigators on the appropriate way to investigate and prove
child abuse cases in court. Consult on child abuse cases where not involved as cocounsel. Conduct all aspects of case management, from initial plea bargain offers to
preliminary hearings to final resolution, which often includes bench or jury trials.
Utah Office of the Guardian ad Litem, Guardian ad Litem Attorney
June, 2002 to December 12, 2007
Managing Attorney, Second Judicial District - June 15, 2003 through January 28, 2008
Promoted to managing attorney supervising 7 Guardian ad Litem attorneys and support
staff. Handled a case load of up to 310 abused, neglected, dependent and delinquent
children in juvenile court in Weber and Davis counties. Performed administrative
functions representing the Second District Office of the Guardian ad Litem. Responsible
for personnel management decisions and hiring decisions for Second District Office.
Performed personnel evaluations, responded to citizen complaints, attended court and
agency meetings for both Weber and Davis Counties. Improved trial practice among
Second District Guardians ad Litem, acted as mentor for new Guardians ad Litem, and
passed on knowledge of child abuse and neglect issues to assist them in their own
representation of children.
Guardian ad Litem, Third Judicial District, June 10, 2002 through June 15, 2003
Represented children in juvenile court in abuse, neglect and dependency cases and in
delinquency cases. Handled case loads or partial case loads for three different juvenile
court judges simultaneously, representing as many as 190 children of all ages. Identified
and reported to the Court recommendations as to the best interest of clients, handled
mediation, trials, including parental rights deprivation trials, and worked closely with
child welfare case workers to plan services for families and children.
Investigation and Prosecution Consultant, Texas Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services - March, 2002 through September, 2004
Acted as contract expert consultant for child welfare investigators, law enforcement
investigators, child protection attorneys and child abuse prosecutors throughout the
State of Texas pursuant to grant established for expert assistance in handling serious
physical child abuse cases and sudden infant death syndrome investigations.
Participated in design and presentation of regional training courses aimed at improving
the professional response to child abuse in the State of Texas. Consulted on numerous
cases with attorneys and investigators as to case strategy, investigative steps,
interpretation of complex medical records, proving physical injuries and abusive head
trauma cases in court, and identifying and confronting suspected perpetrators of child
abuse. Conducted training for judges, lawyers for children, child protection attorneys,
child abuse prosecutors and child welfare and law enforcement investigators.
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, Deputy Director
July 1, 2000 to March 28, 2002
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Deputy Director of new non-profit entity dedicated to improving the professional
response to shaken baby cases in the United States of America; designing and presenting
prevention programs; presenting state-of-the-art training on investigation, prosecution
and child protection efforts relating to shaken babies; advancing research in both the
medical and other scientific fields; providing assistance to families of shaken baby
victims; and, organizing and presenting the semi-annual National Conference on Shaken
Baby Syndrome. Duties included designing and presenting training for child protective
services and law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and other professionals;
consulting with all criminal justice and other professionals throughout the country as to
how to investigate and prove shaken baby cases in court; collaborating with medical
professionals to improve research and methods for demonstrating the shaken baby
syndrome; writing books and guidelines for professional response to child abuse; and
acting as in-house expert on shaken baby syndrome issues. Created a graphics CD-ROM
along with two other experts, which presents computer animations illustrating the
mechanism of the injuries diagnostic of shaking as the cause.
Utah Attorney General's Office, Assistant Attorney General,
October, 1980 to June 30, 2000
Chief Child Abuse Counsel, January 1997 to June 30, 2000
Assumed position in the Attorney General’s Office tasked primarily with working with
all attorneys who handle child abuse cases. Assignment included designing and
presenting training for Child Protection Division attorneys, prosecutors and criminal
investigators, DCFS supervisors and caseworkers, and judges concerning various issues
relating to child abuse and neglect. Designed and presented training for both national
and local training conferences. Consulted with professionals all over the world on child
abuse cases and specifically on shaken baby prosecutions. Also handled difficult
criminal prosecutions involving child homicides or other child abuse cases. Assigned to
economic and white-collar fraud cases for prosecution as needed.
Division Chief, Child Protection Division, May 1996 through January, 1997
Supervised 29 other attorneys tasked with handling all abuse, neglect, and dependency
proceedings throughout the State of Utah, and with legal representation of the Division
of Child and Family Services. Advised executive director and director of DCFS as to
policy matters, training needs, and methods to come into compliance with the settlement
agreement entered in David C. v. Leavitt. Consulted with all attorneys and trained them
to identify child abuse and prove it in court. Acted as co-counsel in difficult cases
involving parental rights termination actions.
Division Chief, Children’s Justice Division, March 1994 to May, 1996
Supervised the work of two other prosecutors, three investigators, a paralegal, a
secretary, a public information coordinator and a victim/witness coordinator, as well as
three employees of the Weber County Children’s Justice Center. Prosecuted cases and
supervised investigations. Continued and expanded the work of the Child Abuse
Prosecution Assistance Unit in providing expert assistance, consultation and training to
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local prosecutors and investigators. Supervised the statewide Children’s Justice Center
program pursuant to state statute, including acting as staff to the State Advisory Board
on Children’s Justice. Oversaw the operation of Children’s Justice Centers, budgets for
the Centers, and efforts around the State to create new Centers. Supervised a victim
coordinator for the Attorney General’s Office, as well as a volunteer program to assist
victims.
Section Chief, Attorney General's Child Abuse Prosecution Assistance Unit, July, 1990
to March, 1994
Administered a federal grant program designed to provide expert advice, consultation,
training, and assistance to local prosecutors, investigators and others responding to child
abuse. Supervised five other employees. Prosecuted all types of child abuse cases,
ranging from physical abuse and child homicide to child sexual abuse. Provided
expertise on a statewide basis as to the "state-of-the art” relating to child abuse
investigation and prosecution. Supervised investigative work on child abuse cases and
ritual abuse reports. Wrote and presented grant application each year, reported on
progress of program. First successful program of its kind in a State Attorney General's
Office, it has been the model for five other state programs.
Section Chief, Criminal Section, Litigation Division
1988 through July, 1990
Supervised work of three prosecutors and eight investigators as to a wide-range of
criminal prosecutions, ranging from first-degree murder to public corruption and misuse
of public money to fraud and white-collar crime, to child abuse cases. Prosecuted major
cases developed by the Section in all areas, most often involving white collar crime and
child abuse. Major accomplishments included two trials of Securities Fraud and Theft
involving Granada, Inc. representing $45 million in loss; successful prosecution of sexual
abuse in a multi-perpetrator, multi-victim child abuse case; successful prosecution of
child homicide case in Grand County, Utah. Formulated and implemented policies and
procedures for investigation and prosecution of cases. Acted as Special Assistant United
States Attorney on several economic crime prosecutions.
Prosecuting Attorney, Litigation Division
March, 1983 through 1988
Worked as a line prosecutor in group handling wide variety of criminal prosecutions,
including homicide, theft, public corruption, fraud and other white-collar crime. Also
worked in civil litigation ranging from lawsuits against Circuit Court and Juvenile Court
judges, the validity of cable television regulation legislation, liability of various state
agencies, etc. Drafted and secured passage of various criminal legislation, including in
the area of child abuse, computer fraud, and criminal intent.
Criminal Appeals Attorney and Civil Representation
October, 1980 through March, 1983
Handled the response to all criminal appeals on behalf of the State of Utah to the Utah
Supreme Court, along with one other attorney and a staff of eight law clerks. Worked on
over 100 appeals, including several capital cases, argued over 35 cases to Utah Supreme
Court. Also acted as general counsel to the Utah Department of Public Safety, providing
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legal advice and representation to Utah Highway Patrol, Peace Officer Standards and
Training Council, Bureau of Criminal Identification, Bureau of Regulatory Licensing.
Handled major civil litigation for Department of Public Safety.
Law Clerk, Criminal Appeals Section, Criminal Justice Division, March, 1979
through October, 1980
Wrote and researched criminal appellate briefs for four attorneys, also researched and
responded to motions, drafted pleadings, responded to discovery requests in civil
litigation against the State of Utah and its agencies, primarily Department of Public
Safety and the Division of Corrections.
Law Clerk, Ron Yengich and John O'Connell
1978 through March, 1979
Provided writing and research work for criminal defense attorneys relating to various
trial and appellate issues. Assisted with defense strategies and theories.
Deputy Court Clerk, Salt Lake Department of Circuit Court
1978 through March, 1979
Primary small claims clerk, also accepted civil filings and fees, assisted litigants to draft
own pleadings and to use collection of judgment abilities of the Court. Assisted 8 judges
as assigned.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Member, National Board of Directors, American Professional Society on the Abuse of
Children (APSAC) - three-year term began January, 2006, re-elected to the Board of Directors
for 2009-2012. Education Committee Chair in 2008. Professional Guidelines Chair, 2009. Plan
and conduct three major training conferences per year, oversee APSAC professional
guidelines development, and interface with all other committee chairs in the provision of
professional services by APSAC. Member, APSAC Colloquium Planning Committee. Attend
two in-person Board meetings per year and participate in conference calls and other APSAC
Board business as needed to decide on critical issues relating to non-profit professional
association.
Member, Executive Committee, Utah State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2005 to 2008.
Member, 2004 Advisory Board to National Civil Child Protection Training Center, Winona,
Minnesota
Member, 2001 Advisory Board to National Center on Prosecution of Child Abuse
Member, International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
Member, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
President, Utah Chapter of American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children,
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September 1997 to February, 1999
Former member, State Advisory Board on Children’s Justice
Former Chair, State Advisory Board on Children’s Justice Legislative Subcommittee
Former member, Salt Lake County Children’s Justice Center Advisory Board
Former member, Governor's Statewide Task Force on Child Abuse
Former member, Ritual Abuse Task Force, Governor's Commission on Women and Families
Former member, Utah State Bar Association, Government Law Section
Consultant, Primary Children's Hospital Safe and Healthy Families Team
Founding member, Utah Statewide Child Fatality Review Committee
Member, Child Abuse and Neglect Advisory Council, Division of Child and Family Services
Member, Utah Association of Peace Officers
Judge Advocate, Utah Association of Peace Officers, 1988
Member, Governor's Council on Victims of Crime, 1988 through 1990
Former member, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Legal Officer's Section, 1980
through 1983
Former member, Utah Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, 1980-1983.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
Training Conference - Children’s Aid Society, Windsor, Ontario, Canada - April 28,29, 2005, Presented a two-day training session on Serious Abuse, Neglect and Homicide of Children for a
varied group of professionals.
Multi-Disciplinary Training Conference - Windsor, Ontario, Canada - June 11, 2004 - Presented
a 7-hour training block to an audience of medical, legal, and child welfare professionals on
“Identifying and Responding to Serious Physical Child Abuse.”
Niagara Regional Police Annual Child Abuse Conference - Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada February 10 through 13, 2004 - Presented all-day keynote speech to an audience of 325
professionals on “Investigation and Prosecution of Serious Physical Child Abuse Cases.”
Special Symposium on Shaken Baby Syndrome - London, Ontario, Canada, September 24, 25,
2002 - Presented all-day keynote session to an audience of 350 professionals and a small
workshop on the second day for 40 investigators.
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International Association of Prosecutors - Annual Training Conference - Sydney, Australia,
September 3, 2001 - Presented on how to prosecute shaken baby cases, unveiled new graphics
CD detailing through computer animations the mechanism of injuries unique to shaken baby
syndrome.
First Australian National Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome - Sydney, Australia,
September 1 - 4, 2001 - Presented three sessions on Keys to Successful Prosecution of Shaken
Baby Cases with Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in New South Wales and one session
with a prosecution with the DPP on Confronting Defense Experts in SBS Cases.
Special Interest Seminar: Shaken Baby Syndrome - The National Crime Faculty Warwickshire, England, June 14-15, 2001. Presented on “What Every Investigator Should Know
About the Shaken Baby Syndrome.” to an audience of 150 law enforcement investigators from the
United Kingdom.
NATIONAL CONFERENCES - 2000 through present - earlier training references
available on request
Lucas County Children’s Services Conference on Abusive Head Trauma, September 23, 2011,
Toledo, Ohio – Presented all-day session primarily for child protection attorneys and CPS
workers relating to medical aspects of AHT injuries, behaviors of perpetrators, and reunification
efforts.
APSAC Annual Colloquium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 14, 2011 – Presented on
“Proving the Whodunit in Child Physical Abuse and Homicide Cases” for law enforcement and
prosecutors and “Role Reversal Mock Trial in a case of AHT” with two other expert physicians
playing the role of attorneys and me playing the role of the medical expert witness.
Annual Conference on Child Fatalities and Child Physical Abuse, NDAA-APRI, Indanapolis,
Indiana, May 2, 2011 – Presented on “Use of Technology to Prove Medical Concepts” and
“Investigation and Prosecution of Child Neglect”.
Special Training Sessions – Akron, Ohio, March 23 and 24, 2011 – Presented full-day training
for law enforcement, CPS and prosecutors on “Everything You Need to Know About Serious
Physical Abuse” on 3/23 and another full-day session on “Everything You Need to Know About
Abusive Head Trauma” to the same group on 3/24.
International Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, San Diego, CA, January 27, 2011 –
Presented two-part session on “Proving the Abusive Head Trauma Case in Court”.
Annual Child Maltreatment Training Conference – Grand Rapids, MI, August 19, 2010 –
Presented on “Investigation and Prosecution of Child Neglect Cases”
Annual Crimes Against Children Conference, Dallas, TX, August 9, 2010 – Joint presentation
with Dr. Arne Graff on “Everything You Need to Know About AHT in Infants and Children”
Annual APSAC Colloquium, New Orleans, LA, June 24, 2010 – Presented on “Physical Abuse
Investigation for Law Enforcement Officers” and “Confronting Defense Experts in AHT Cases”
Lacrosse Annual Conference on Child Maltreatment, Lacrosse, WI, 5/18/10 – Presented on
“Confronting Defense Experts and Their Theories in AHT Cases”, “Investigation and Prosecution
of AHT Cases”, and “Dealing with Cases of Neglect”
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Child Abuse and Family Violence Summit, Clackamas County, OR, April 28, 2010 - Presented
on “An Update on AHT Cases in Court”, “Confronting Defense Experts and Their Theories” and
“Investigation and Prosecution of Child Neglect”
Investigation and Prosecution of Child Fatalities and Physical Abuse, NDAA-APRI, Santa Fe,
NM, February 1, 2010 – Presented on “Use of Computer Graphics and Animations to Prove
Complex Medical Concepts in Court” and “Investigation and Prosecution of Neglect”
International Conference on Child Maltreatment, San Diego, CA, January 25, 2010 – Presented
all-day session on Abusive Head Trauma in APSAC Pre-Conference Institute with Dr. Lori
Frasier and Dr. Vincent Palusci, which concluded with a mock trial with Dr. Palusci as the
prosecution expert and Dr. Frasier as the defense expert
Hennepin County Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Team Conference, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, October 10, 2009 – Presented training block on “Proving Abusive Head Trauma
Cases in Court” and designed and implemented a mock trial to give physicians a chance to
experience direct and cross-examination in a practice setting.
Dallas Crimes Against Children Conference, August 17 - 19, 2009, Dallas Texas – Presented
four workshops to an interdisciplinary audience on “Neglect: The Worst Thing Caregivers Can
Do to Children” and “Confronting Defense Experts in Child Physical Abuse and Homicide
Cases”
Equal Justice – Training Conference of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse,
May 7, 2009, Denver, Colorado – Presented half-day training track on “Abusive Head Trauma in
Infants and Children” with Dr. Cindy Christian.
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, San Diego Pre-Conference Institute
on Abusive Head Trauma, January 26, 2009, San Diego, California – Presented all-day training
block with Dr. Vincent Palusci and Dr. Lori Frasier updating professionals on Abusive Head
Trauma in Infants and Children – Presented on Proving a Case in Court and conducted Mock
Trial using the two experts in the roles of defense and prosecution expert witnesses to illustrate
issues in the courtroom.
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children Annual Colloquium, June 13-18,
2008, Phoenix, Arizona – Presented to a Professional Audience on “Munchausen Syndrome by
Proxy: What are We So Afraid Of?”
Myths and Facts About Child Abuse and Neglect: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach, April 1718, 2008, Sugarcreek, Ohio – Presented a Two-Day Training Event for Child Abuse Professionals
in rural Ohio – “Everything You Need to Know About Serious Child Physical Abuse and
Homicide”, “The Five Biggest Myths in Child Abuse” and “Neglect: The Worst Thing Caregivers
Can Do To Their Children”
2nd Annual Child Abuse and Maltreatment Conference - November 15-16, 2007, Omaha,
Nebraska - Presented all–day training entitled “Serious Physical Child Abuse and Child
Homicide” to multi-disciplinary audience. Next day presented Grand Rounds for pediatricians
at Omaha Children’s Hospital entitled “How To Prepare to be an Expert Witness in Child Abuse
Cases.”
Building Justice for Children Training Seminar - September 27, 2007, Syracuse, New York -
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Presented all-day session entitled “Investigation and Prosecution of Serious Physical Child Abuse
and Homicide Cases”
Pediatric Trauma Symposium - April 20, 2007, Dayton, Ohio - Presented Keynote Presentation
Entitled “The Top Five Myths Relating to Child Abuse” and a general presentation entitled
“Neglect: The Worst Thing Caretakers Can Do To Children” to a group of trauma physicians,
nurses, family practitioners and others related to the medical field.
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Pre-Conference Training Institute
for the Chadwick Center Child Abuse Conference, January 21, 2007, San Diego, California Presented an 8-hour training session for over 150 professionals from all over the world entitled
“Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Serious Physical Child Abuse and Child
Homicide”.
When Child Abuse Hits Home, 2nd Annual Child Protection Training Conference, National
Child Protection Training Center, September 11, 2006, Missoula, Montana - Presented on
“Neglect: The Worst Thing Caregivers Can Do To Children?” and “The Role of the Guardian ad
Litem in Child Welfare Cases”to an audience of child protection professionals from all over the
United States and American Samoa.
Equal Justice - Training Conference of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse July 27, 2006, Clearwater, Florida - Presented with Dr. Kent Hymel on Confronting Medical
Defenses to Abusive Head Trauma in Children. Presented solo training session on Investigation
and Prosecution of Abusive Head Trauma Cases.
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, 14th Annual Colloquium, June 22,
2006, Nashville, Tennessee - Presented on “Neglect of Children” to an audience of 120 child
abuse professionals from all over the United States.
American Academy of Forensic Science Annual Conference, February 24, 2006, Portland,
Oregon - Participated with two doctors and one other lawyer in a panel debate entitled: “The
Shaken Baby Syndrome, Myth or Reality?”
Inaugural CHILDPROTECT Course, August 22 through 26, 2005, Winona, Minnesota - Acted
as Faculty for Trial Advocacy Course for Child Protection Attorneys from all over the United
States and presented three training sessions relating to Expert Witnesses.
Equal Justice - Training Conference of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse August 3, 2005 - Portland, Oregon - Presented with Dr. Kent Hymel an all-day session on
Abusive Head Trauma in Children.
First Annual Conference, When Child Abuse Hits Home, Training Conference of the National
Child Protection Training Center, June 21, 2005, Winona, Minnesota - Presented on “Neglect of
Children.”
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Conference - Training Conference of the Primary Children’s
Medical Center Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine - February 24, 2005 - Presented a
workshop on documentation by emergency room personnel and pediatric intensive care
personnel which made a difference in child homicide prosecutions to an audience of doctors,
nurses, and hospital social workers from around the Intermountain West.
Equal Justice - Training Conference of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse -
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September 1, 2004 - New Orleans, Louisiana - Presented all-day session along with Dr. Kent
Hymel on Abusive Head Trauma in Children.
Tampa Conference on Child Fatality Review - June 17, 2004, Tampa, Florida - Presented a 90minute keynote speech entitled “Confronting the Top Ten Myths Concerning Child Abuse.”
Florida Conference on Serious Physical Child Abuse, Sponsored by the National Shaken Baby
Alliance - March 1,2 , 2004 - Orlando, Florida - Presented Keynote and workshops on
“Prosecuting Serious Physical Child Abuse” and “Confronting Untrue Defenses in Serious
Physical Child Abuse Cases.”
Loma Linda Conference on Serious Physical Child Abuse - November 13-14, 2003 - Loma
Linda, California - Presented keynote, workshop on “Defending the Rights of Children in Court”
and workshops on “Prosecuting Serious Physical Child Abuse Cases”.
Equal Justice - Training Conference of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse October 6 - 10, 2003 - Baltimore, Maryland - Presented with Dr. Kent Hymel a full-day
presentation on Abusive Head Trauma in Children.
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children - Annual Colloquium - July 23 - 27,
2003 - Orlando, Florida - Presented a two-part session for child protection professionals on
“Legal Issues in Dependency and Neglect Cases”.
Equal Justice - Training Conference of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse June 23-27, 2003 - Boise, Idaho - Presented on “Investigation and Prosecution of Shaken Baby
Cases” and co-presented with Dr. Randell Alexander on “Defense Experts in Abusive Head
Trauma Cases”.
New Mexico Conference on Serious Physical Child Abuse - March 9 - 11, 2003 - Albuquerque,
New Mexico - Presented Keynote Speech, “Changing Public Attitudes About Child Abuse”, a
workshop on “Defense Medical Witnesses in Abusive Head Trauma Cases” and a workshop on
“Protection of Children in Juvenile Court”
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children - Pre-Conference Institute - February
3, 2003 - San Diego, California Co-presented on “Controversies in the Shaken Baby/Shaken
Impact Syndrome: Confronting Ridiculous Claims” with Dr. Kent Hymel to an audience of 150
physicians from around the world.
CHILDHELP, Inc. Special Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome, October 8, 2002, Phoenix,
Arizona - Presented an all-day session on Shaken Baby Syndrome for a multi-disciplinary
audience of over 250 professionals.
Equal Justice - Training Conference of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse,
September 25, 2002, Lincoln, Nebraska - Presented on Investigation and Prosecution of the
Abusive Head Trauma Case and co-presented with Dr. Randell Alexander on Meeting Common
Medical Defenses Raised in SBS/AHT Cases.
Equal Justice - Training Conference of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse,
August 13-15, 2002 - Presented along with Dr. Kent Hymel on Medical Defenses in Abusive Head
Trauma Cases, then presented a solo session on Investigation and Prosecution of Shaken Baby
Syndrome Cases and a separate session on Using Expert Witnesses in Shaken Baby Syndrome
Cases.
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Crimes Against Children Conference, August 5-8, 2002, Dallas, Texas - Presented four training
sessions on Prosecution of Shaken Baby Syndrome Cases and on Irresponsible Medical Witnesses
in Shaken Baby Cases
Annual Civil Attorney Child Abuse Training Conference, July 25, 2002, Austin, Texas Presented on ‘Proving the Shaken Baby Syndrome in Court’, including a demonstration of direct
examination of the prosecution’s expert witness along with Dr. Randell Alexander for an
audience of CPS workers and child protection attorneys.
Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse - Training Conference of the Missouri Office of
Prosecution Services, Osage Beach, Missouri, June 7, 2002 - Presented on Investigation of SBS
Cases and Proving Shaken Baby Syndrome Cases in Court
Southeast Regional Conference on Child Fatalities, Birmingham, Alabama, June 2-4, 2002 Wrote the fact scenario, several scripts for professional actors, and acted the part of the criminal
investigator in a dramatization of a shaken baby case. The play portrayed the initial abuse, the
investigation, diagnosis by doctors and a demonstration of examination of an expert medical
witness in court. It was performed live with an audience of almost 400 professionals and
videotaped for future training.
CAREHOUSE Third Annual Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome, Dayton, Ohio, April 10,
2002 - Presented as keynote speaker on “Medical Aspects of SBS”; “Demographics and
Investigation”; “Prosecution of AHT Cases in Court” and an evening session for doctors: “The
Interface Between Law and Medicine”
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference – Pre-Conference
Institute on Shaken Baby Syndrome, Tucson, Arizona, January 9, 2002 – Presented an all-day
Institute along with Dr. Randell Alexander for an audience of over 150 people.
6th Annual Symposium for Child Death Review Teams – Springfield, Illinois – October 19,
2001 – Presented on Investigation and Prosecution of Shaken Baby Syndrome Cases to an
interdisciplinary audience (130-140) from the State of Illinois.
Keeping Children Safe – First Statewide Conference on Abusive Head Trauma in Children –
Columbus, Ohio - October 18, 2001 – Presented on Computer Animations in Proof of the Shaken
Baby Syndrome in Court to an audience of approximately 120 people.
Shaken Baby Homicide Training Conference - West Palm Beach, Florida, May 4, 2001. All-day
keynote speech covering all aspects of shaken baby syndrome for prosecutors and investigators
in Palm Beach County.
Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Conference, Salisbury, Maryland, April 24, 2001.
Presented two-part session on Investigation and Prosecution of Shaken Baby Cases and an
evening session for physicians entitled “The Critical Interface Between the Legal and Medical
Fields: Courtroom Presentation of the Shaken Baby Syndrome.”
Special Topic - Law Enforcement Training Seminar, Houston, Texas, April 9, 2001. Presented
all day training on Investigation and Prosecution of Shaken Baby Cases.
Medical-Legal Aspects of Child Abuse - 12th Annual Child Abuse Conference, New
Brunswick, New Jersey, April 5, 2001. Provided keynote speech in Grand Rounds, lecture on
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Investigation and Prosecution of Shaken Baby Cases, and a luncheon address for residents on
“How To Survive Testifying as an Expert Witness.”
12th Statewide Child Abuse Prevention Conference, Mesa, Arizona, January 24, 2001 Presented on “Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosis, Investigation
and Prosecution” - 2-part training course for all professionals.
APSAC Advanced Training Institute, San Diego Conference on Child Maltreatment, January
22, 2001, San Diego, CA. Presented on Investigation and Prosecution of Serious Physical Abuse
and Child Homicide with Dr. Randell Alexander and Lt. Bill Walsh, Dallas Police Department.
Legal Institute - Post-Conference Training, Third National Conference on Shaken Baby
Syndrome, Salt Lake City, UT, September 25, 2000. Organized Institute, presented
demonstration of proper techniques for examining the prosecution’s medical expert witnesses
and lectured on “The Prosecution’s Expert Witnesses.”
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children - Annual Colloquium on Child
Abuse, July 12 through 15, 2000, Chicago, Illinois - Presented on Medical Issues, Investigation
and Prosecution of Shaken Baby Syndrome Cases and gave an invited presentation along with
Dr. Robert Kirschner on “Irresponsible Expert Testimony in Child Abuse Cases”.
Vermont Prosecutor Training Association Annual Training Conference, June 6, 2000,
Killington, Vermont - Presented an all-day session on “Prosecution of Child Physical Abuse and
Homicide Cases” for the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and 45 prosecutors in the State of
Vermont.
Child Abuse Summit 2000 - Clackamas County, Oregon, April 26, 2000 - Presented on
“Preparing Law Enforcement Officers to Testify in Child Abuse Cases” and “Courtroom
Preparation of Expert Witnesses in Child Abuse Cases”
LOCAL CONFERENCES (prior to 2000 available on request)
Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office – Paralegal Training on Child Abuse Issues –
August 20, 2008.
Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office – Special Victim’s Team Special Training – August
15, 2008 – Presented “Everything You Need to Know About Serious Physical Child Abuse and
Child Homicide to special victim team attorneys in the Salt Lake District Attorney’s Office.
Division of Child and Family Services Northern Region Training – August 29, 2007, Ogden
Presented on “Everything You Need to Know About Serious Physical Child Abuse and
Homicide.”
Division of Child and Family Services Training – April 11, 2007, Brigham City - Presented allday training “Everything You Need to Know About Serious Physical Child Abuse and
Homicide”
Northern Region Training Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome, November 2, 2005 Presented all-day training session on Abusive Head Trauma in Children to audience of child
protective service and law enforcement investigators and DCFS supervisors.
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Joining Forces Conference - Western Regional Training Conference on Child Abuse and
Neglect - October 4, 2005 - Presented on “Use of Expert Witnesses in Serious Child Physical
Abuse and Homicide Cases.”
Annual Guardian ad Litem Training Conference, September 7, 2005, Snowbird, Utah Presented on “Neglect of Children.”
Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office and Salt Lake Children’s Justice Center Special
Training Session on Shaken Baby Syndrome, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 8, 2002 - Presented
four-hour session on medical, investigative and prosecution issues in shaken baby syndrome
cases.
Tooele County Children’s Justice Center - Special Session on Shaken Baby Syndrome Tooele, Utah, April 3, 2002.. - Presented 6 ½ hour session for all disciplines on shaken baby
syndrome cases.
Special Training for Emergency Room Personnel and Emergency Medical Technicians - How
to Recognize Signs of Child Abuse - Brigham City, Utah - May 22, 2001. Presented 3-hour
evening session on physical child abuse injuries and child murder.
Special Topic - Shaken Baby Syndrome - Medical Diagnosis to Investigation to Courtroom
Presentation, May 11, 2001, Utah County Children’s Justice Center - Presented 6.5 hour training
session on all aspects of SBS.
Emergency Room Nurse Training - McKay-Dee Hospital, Ogden, Utah October 16, 2000 - What
We Know About the Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Annual Training Conference, Utah Office of the Guardian Ad Litem, September 14, 2000 Presented on “The Latest Technology for Proving Child Abuse in Court”
Preserving the Innocence of Children Conference, August 1-2, 2000, Ogden, Utah - Presented
with Dr. David Corwin on “The State-of-the-Art in Interviewing Child Victims of Abuse” and
designed, organized and moderated a mock trial involving a juvenile court child protection
scenario.
Attorney General’s Office 3-Day Intensive Child Abuse Training Conference for Law
Enforcement Officers - Ephraim, Utah, May 15-17, 2000 - Presented on “Medical Issues in Child
Physical Abuse and Homicide” and “Investigation and Prosecution of Physical Abuse and
Homicide Cases”
Ogden Surgical/Medical Society Annual Training Conference - Ogden, Utah, May 16, 2000 Presented on “Taking a Closer Look at Wilderness Therapy Programs”
Emergency Medical Services Training Conference - Cedar City, Utah, March 10, 2000 Presented to EMT’s on “How First Responders Have Made a Difference in Child Murder Cases in
Utah”
PUBLICATIONS
Co-Chair, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children Task Force on Neglect of
Children, Co-Author of APSAC Practice Guidelines: “Challenges in the Evaluation of Child
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Neglect,” (2008).
Co-editor, Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Children, A Medical, Legal, and Forensic
Reference. Co-editors Dr. Lori Frasier, Dr. Kay Rauth-Farley, Dr. Randell Alexander - GW
Medical Publishing (2006). Primary author of Chapter 23, “Prosecuting a Case”; Chapter 25, “Use
of Technology in Presenting Evidence “ with co-author Dr. Jim Lauridson; co-author of Chapter 1,
“Current Perspectives on Abusive Head Trauma”; and Chapter 29, “Putting it All Together: A
Hypothetical Case.” Co-Author of accompanying CD-ROM with visual material suitable for use in
training or the courtroom with Dr. Lori Frasier, Dr. Randell Alexander, and Dr. Jamie Downs.
“Preparing a Case for Court”, Chapter 32 in Child Maltreatment, 3rd Edition, ed. Giardino, A and
Alexander, R., GW Medical Publishing (2005). Comprehensive guide to proving all forms of
child abuse in both civil and criminal court. Co-authors include Dr. Randell Alexander, Allison
Turkel, JD, Dr. James Lauridson, and Michael Vendola.
“Children and the Courts”, Chapter 48 of the four-volume set entitled The Encyclopedia of
Forensic and Legal Medicine, Elsevier, Inc. (2005) - chapter deals with advances in forensic proof
by experts in child abuse cases of all kinds, focusing on computer animation and visual evidence.
Contributing Author - Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse, 3rd Edition, National
Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse, American Prosecutors Research Institute, Sage
Publications © 2004. - Contributed Chapter entitled “Charging, Plea Negotiation, and
Disposition” as well as several other sections on serious physical child abuse cases and abusive
head trauma cases.
The Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Visual Presentation of the Medical Aspects - CD-ROM
published by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome - Co- Authors Robert N. Parrish, JD,
James Lauridson, MD, and Alex Levin, MD.
“Computer Graphics in Child Abuse and Neglect”, with co-author Dr. Jim Lauridson, 13 APSAC
Advisor, No. 2, Spring 2001.
“Investigating Shaken Baby Syndrome Cases: Child Protective Services and Law Enforcement Training
Program” - train-the-trainers curriculum for teaching investigators how to handle cases - a
product of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (Summer, 2001).
“Executive Summary of the Third National Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome,” - published
by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, March, 2001.
“DTP Vaccination or Shaken Baby Syndrome: The Role of Irresponsible Medical Expert Testimony in
Creating a False Causal Connection”, with co-author Dr. David L. Chadwick, SBS Quarterly, Fall
2000 also published by National Center on Prosecution of Child Abuse in UPDATE, Vol. 13, #9
(2000).
“The Unique Challenges of Prosecuting Shaken Baby Cases”, The Prosecutor’s Desk Book, 3rd Edition
a publication of the National College of District Attorneys (2001), pp.259-268.
“State vs. Guttierez; Guttierez vs. Medley: What Have They Done to Us Now?”, Vol. 9, Issue 2 of The
Utah Prosecutor, February, 1999 (article relating to investigative subpoena power).
“The Proof is in the Details: Investigation and Prosecution of Shaken Baby Cases”,National
Information, Support and Referral Service on Shaken Baby Syndrome, a publication of the
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Child Abuse Prevention Center of Utah, Winter, 1998.
Contributing author, advisory board member, Child Witnesses, a benchbook for Utah Judges,
written by John E.B. Myers, Karen Saywitz and Gail Goodman, May, 1998.
“The Battered Child Syndrome: Investigation of Child Physical Abuse and Homicide”,
Portable Guides for Investigating Child Abuse Series published by the Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the United States Department of Justice, 1997.
“Preparing Child Sexual Assault Victims to Testify,” in Voir Dire magazine, a publication of
the Utah State Bar Association, Volume 2 Number 1, Winter 1997.
“Response to ‘State v. Teuscher, The Exception Swallows the Rule’”, Utah Bar Journal, Volume
9, Number 2, p.8 (March 1996).
“Preparation of the Child Sexual Assault Victim: The Prosecutor’s Challenge”, in The Practical
Prosecutor, 1994 Edition. Publication of the National District Attorney’s Association.
Contributing Author - National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse Manual "Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse" - 2nd Edition, (1993).
“Child Death Investigative Guidelines for Law Enforcement” - A publication of the Children’s
Justice Division, May, 1993.
THE CHILD ADVOCATE BULLETIN, Vol. IV, Fall 1992 - "Child Homicide in Utah - - Are We
Letting People Get Away With Murder?"
THE CHILD ADVOCATE BULLETIN, Vol. III, Spring 1992 - "Children in Court - Investigation and Prosecution of Child Sexual Abuse"
THE CHILD ADVOCATE BULLETIN, Vol. II, Fall 1991 - "Uncharged Misconduct Evidence and
the Battered Child Syndrome"
THE CHILD ADVOCATE BULLETIN, Vol. I, Summer 1991 - Publication of the Child Abuse
Prosecution
Assistance Unit - "Use of Expert Witnesses in Child Abuse Prosecutions Since Rimmasch"
Contributing Author - "The Police Officer's Guide" by Bill Clede - article entitled
"Interviewing Child Sexual Abuse Victims, When the Goal is Prosecution of an Offender",
copyright 1990, Stackpole Books
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