Witness

A blog about forensic psychology.

by Karen Franklin, Ph.D.

Appellate Court Upholds Exclusion of SPECT Evidence

By Karen Franklin, Ph.D. on January 5, 2012 in Witness

On May 22, 2002, the body of Juliette Williamson was found washed up on Yerba Buena Island in the San Francisco Bay. Williamson and her long-time partner Bruce Brooks were well-known street performers known as the Chicago Brother and Sister Blues Band. For years, they had lived together in a purple school bus parked under a freeway. Read More

SPECT Excluded Due to Kelly-Frye

Submitted by Dr. Earl R Henslin on April 2, 2012 - 8:46pm.

It is unfortunate that Dr.Franklin would include comments from "Quackwatch" whose comments about Dr. Amen's work are actually inaccurate. In fact the author of Quackwatch will not respond to Dr. Amen nor make an effort to correct information that is presented as "fact" that is inaccurate. Also referencing Dr.Salon is as well in accurate. I over 20 cases that I have referred for SPECT Brain Imaging where SPECT has identified cortical atrophy, and ventricular enlargement which then resulted in referrals for an MRI. Those 20 patients were identified at early stages and treatment resulted in improving the quality of life and extended the time before major symptoms appeared. I would encourage Dr. Franklin to review the research that Dr.Amen has published since this blog was written, and re-consider her comments. The research that is in the pipeline at this moment is rather exciting, and too me suggests that SPECT will only increase in its use and viability as a diagnostic tool!