Expert evidence in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder cases

Abstract

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term relating to a set of disorders, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS), Alcohol Related Developmental Disorder (ARND) and Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD). Each disorder is pervasive and life-long, resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol (PEA). While the incidence of FASDs remains debatable, it may well be in the region of 1% of the population in countries such as Canada, New Zealand and Australia. They have been disproportionately identified in persons from an indigenous background in a number of countries. In addition, FASDs are present in significant numbers amongst persons who are ch..