Why it matters in the Letby case
Critics argue the Letby investigation departed from this methodology by identifying the suspect first and constructing the event set around her presence.
May 2026: Thirlwall Inquiry report delayed to at least September 2026 · six-baby inquests relisted to 2027 · CCRC review active · Shoo Lee Panel: no medical evidence of deliberate harm.
Statistical explainer
Established epidemiological methodology for hospital adverse-event clusters requires defining events independently of any suspect, controlling for unit acuity and staffing changes, and using a comparator population.
Critics argue the Letby investigation departed from this methodology by identifying the suspect first and constructing the event set around her presence.
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