A recent emergence in the context of criminal and family law cases is a phenomenon known as Munchausen by Proxy.  This is the intentional production or feigning of physical or psychological signs or symptoms in another person, who is under the individual’s care, for the purpose of indirectly assuming the sick role.  Although rare, parents can also use factitious symptoms of a child’s physical or psychological symptoms, in the context of parenting and custody disputes.  Dr. McNaught has conducted evaluations where Munchausen by Proxy has occurred, within the context of both criminal and family law cases.  These evaluations require an understanding of the research underlying this complex issue as well as the special skills needed to identify factitious allegations of sexual or physical abuse, in the context of criminal and family court disputes.