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Objective To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the current reference standard-ultrasound with in utero magnetic resonance imaging, in a selected group of patients. Design Prospective study.Setting Five fetal maternal tertiary referral centres and an academic radiology unit.Sample One hundred cases of fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities where there has been diagnostic difficulties on ultrasound. In 48 cases the women were less than 24 weeks of gestation and in 52 cases later in pregnancy. Methods All women were imaged on a 1.5 T clinical system using a single shot fast spin echo technique. The results of antenatal ultrasound and in utero magnetic resonance were compared. Main outcome measures The definitive diagnosis was made either at autopsy or by postmortem magnetic resonance imaging, in cases that went to termination of pregnancy, or a combination of postnatal imaging and clinical follow up in the others. Results In 52 of cases, ultrasound and magnetic resonance gave identical results and in a further 12, magnetic resonance provided extra information that was judged not to have had direct effects on management. In 35 of cases, magnetic resonance either changed the diagnosis (29) or gave extra information that could have altered management (6). In 11 of the 30 cases where magnetic resonance changed the diagnosis, the brain was described as normal on magnetic resonance. Conclusions In utero magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful tool in investigating fetal brain abnormalities.Our results suggest that in selected cases of brain abnormalities, detected by ultrasound, antenatal magnetic resonance may provide additional, clinically useful information that may alter management.

The higher rate of admission of African-Caribbean patients is consistent with a higher level of demand. There is a need for studies of the pathways by which patients from ethnic minorities reach medium-security accommodation, with a view to early intervention.

This paper is concerned with examining the differences between people who confess and those who deny offences during a police interview. The main hypothesis under investigation is that psychologically vulnerable suspects are particularly likely to confess. This paper is also concerned with identifying variables that might be related to the confession process. One hundred and sixty suspects detained at two London police stations were assessed psychologically prior to being interviewed by the police. The results of this assessment, an analysis of the interview procedure and biographic details were subjected to a logistic regression analysis. There was no evidence to support our main hypothesis. However, suspects were more likely to confess if they reported having consumed an illicit (non‐prescribed) drug in the previous 24‐hour period, and less likely to confess when interviewed in the presence of a legal adviser or if they had experience of prison or custodial remand. In this study younger suspects were also more likely to confess. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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