It is essential for anyone involved in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases to be aware of the often hidden and subtle warning signs of Munchausen by Proxy. Munchausen syndrome, classified as a mental illness, occurs when a person inflicts or fabricates illness upon themselves, often as an attention-getting device. Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) is an even more insidious disorder in that such illness or injury is inflicted upon a victim-usually a child.
IDENTIFICATION OF STANDARDSThe Complicated Domain of MBP UnderstandingMental Illness Defined. Munchausen Syndrome Defined. Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) Defined. MBP Behavior Not Independently Considered Mental Illness. MBP as Child Abuse. Offender Benefit as Definitional Predicate. Together-Similar Yet Distinctive. Neglect. Alternative Answers to Unexplained Behavior. The History of Munchausen. Category Identification of Munchausen Syndrome or MBP. Presentation of Identified MBP Illness. MBP Warning Signs. MBP Screening for Families of Suspected MBP Offenders. Frequency and Reporting of Cases. Victimization Location. Preferences. MBP Case Resolution Factors. Mobility Factors and Trends. ConclusionCHARACTERIZATION OF THE MUNCHAUSEN FAMILY ProfilingThe MBP Offender: The MBP Victim. The Non-Offending Spouse of an MBP Offender. COMPREHENSION OF THOUGHTUnderstanding Munchausen and Gaining Entry Into the RealmA General Understanding of Abuse. The Unique Sphere of MBP Behavior. MBP Potential Motivational Factors. Believe It or Not. Envisioning MBP and Munchausen Syndrome. How Society Enables MBP Victimization. Victimization Pathways. Victimization Control Factors The MBP Reactionary Gap. Recognizing What You See. The Sphere of Victimization Methodology. MBP Offender Typology-Categorization via Action. Subtle Indicators of Guilt. MBP/Munchausen Syndrome as Punishment. Eating Disorders. MBP Fact Sheet.APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGEAssessing the Lethality of the MBP OffenderLethality Links. MBP Continuum with Probable Cause Escalation Sequences. Intelligence Information. Intelligence/Interview Questioning. How Dangerous is the MBP Offender. The MBP Continuum. Likelihood of MBP Victim Death. Harsh Reality. Intentional Torture. Multiple Victims of MBP Abuse.False Reports and Serial VictimizationReview and Expansion of MBP/Munchausen Syndrome Understanding. Munchausen Syndrome Within Criminal Victimizations. MBP/Munchausen Syndrome Tra