Case Reviews
Our sleep forensics experience was presented at the most recent prestigious World Congress of the Federation of Sleep Research Societies (WorldSleep07) held in Cairns, Australia from September 2 - 6, 2007. Our presentation was entitled: "The Pioneering of a New Discipline: Implementing the Innovative Practice of Sleep Forensics."
In addition, our work has also been presented at an international audience at the BeNeLux Sleep Congress 2007 in Mondorf les Bains, Luxemburg as well as the Upper Midwest Sleep Society Conference which was held on October 10, 2008 and sponsored by the University of Winsonsin CME in Madison, Wisconsin.
Lastly, our extensive medico-legal experience was also presented as part of our presentation "Neurobehavioral Investigation in Sleep Forensics: Implications for Criminal Law & Medical Expert Testimony" at the symposium Consciousness, Sleep, and Law held September 21, 2009 for the Royal Society of Medicine in London, England.
The following data is a summary of our medico-legal experience at the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center at Hennepin County Medical Center from August 1, 2006 through Aug. 1, 2009.
Total Requests for Case Reviews (N=130)
United States Total = 123
- EAST: 13
- SOUTH: 20
- MIDWEST (Minneapolis/St. Paul = 19): 48
- WEST: 42
Outside USA Foreign Total = 7
- Canada: 1
- Germany: 2
- England: 2
- Italy: 1
- New Zealand: 1
Breakdown of Completed Cases (N=30)
- Sexual Assault: 12
- DWI/DUI: 7
- Homicide: 3
- Gross Criminal Negligence: 1
- Manslaughter: 1
- Suicide: 1
- Child Abuse: 1
- Child Custody Claim: 1
- Medical Malpractice: 1
- Life Insurance Policy Claim: 1
- Military Line of Duty Determination:1
Note: This case review list does not list the number of active cases that are currently under forensic investigation or are scheduled to appear in court.
Since Aug. 1, 2009, Sleep Forensics Associates (SFA) has received a significant increase in requests to review medico-legal cases. Our total number for case review is now over 150. Many of these requests are associated with Zolpidem (Ambien) toxicity, namely Sleep Driving, related to charges of alleged Ambien DUI/DWI. Another frequent request involves consideration to review cases involving possible Sexsomnia, or Sleep Sex, for charges of alleged sexual assualt or statutory rape.
As SFA only accepts a limited number of cases each quarter so as to provide each case with the comprehensive review and attention to detail it deserves, consideration to these limitations should be kept in mind when requesting a review with anticipated completion dates.
Last Updated: 12/21/2009