Watch The Syndrome

The Syndrome is a controversial and emotionally charged documentary that delves into the dark history of child abuse investigations in the United States. Directed by Meryl Goldsmith and produced by Susan Goldsmith and Sarah Blumenschein, the film explores the phenomenon of "Shaken Baby Syndrome" (SBS), a medical diagnosis that has been used to convict parents and caregivers of causing serious harm or death to infants.

The documentary features interviews with several prominent experts and advocates on both sides of the SBS debate, including doctors, lawyers, journalists, and parents who have been affected by wrongful convictions. The film also highlights three specific cases of alleged SBS, in which innocent people were accused, convicted, and imprisoned based on flawed medical and legal evidence.

The first case is that of Dale Akiki, a daycare worker who was accused of sexually assaulting and torturing several children in his care in the early 1990s. Despite no physical evidence or eyewitness testimony, Akiki was arrested, prosecuted, and ultimately acquitted of all charges, but not before spending two years in jail and fighting for his freedom in a highly publicized trial. The film presents Akiki's account of his ordeal, as well as the perspective of his lawyer, Stephen Yagman, who argues that Akiki was a victim of mass hysteria and a flawed justice system.

The second case is that of Randell Alexander, a pediatrician and forensic expert who was one of the foremost proponents of SBS until he became convinced that the diagnosis was flawed and caused undue harm to families and children. Alexander's journey from being a trusted witness in hundreds of criminal cases to becoming a whistleblower and an advocate for scientific rigor is one of the most compelling parts of the film. The documentary also shows Alexander testifying in court on behalf of parents who were wrongly accused of SBS, and discussing his own doubts and regrets about his previous work.

The third case is that of Gerald Amirault, a former daycare owner who was accused of running a "sex ring" and subjecting children to horrific abuse and torture in the late 1980s. Despite no physical evidence or credible witnesses, Amirault was convicted of multiple counts of rape and other crimes and sentenced to prison for life. The film includes interviews with several of the children who were allegedly abused at Amirault's daycare, as well as with his family members and supporters who maintain his innocence. The documentary also explores the role of the media, the public opinion, and the prosecutors in amplifying and sustaining the allegations against Amirault, as well as the multiple appeals and legal challenges that followed his conviction.

Overall, The Syndrome is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that raises important questions about the validity of SBS as a diagnosis and the fairness of the criminal justice system in cases involving child abuse. The documentary shows how easily innocent people can be accused, convicted, and punished based on faulty or incomplete evidence, and how important it is to have rigorous scientific standards and ethical principles in forensic medicine and law enforcement. The Syndrome is a must-see for anyone interested in social justice, human rights, and the power of propaganda and prejudice to fuel mass hysteria and injustice.

The Syndrome is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.