Police and prosecutors say the theory behind shaken baby syndrome has been “validated” by the Appeal Court, despite the quashing of convictions of three people for harming or killing their children.

The cases saw a theory put forward by consultant neuropathologist Dr Jennian Geddes, who said the three typical injuries considered to be diagnostic of the syndrome if found together could be caused by factors other than significant shaking.

But judges said the established theory behind the syndrome had “not been undermined in the manner envisaged” by Geddes, and that each case should be considered on its own facts.