Baby research laptop stolen

The research was on shaken baby syndrome

A doctor whose laptop contained vital research data has appealed for its return after it was stolen from a hospital office at the weekend.

Police have launched an investigation following the break-in at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, in which the laptop and a camcorder were taken.

Paediatric neurologist Robert Minns has been studying shaken baby syndrome for the past four years.

Dr Minns does have back-up files for some of the stolen data, but he said the theft would delay his £100,000 research programme by several months.

The computer contained vital research data

His offices at the University of Edinburgh Department of Child, Life and Health, adjacent to the hospital were broken into at 1300 BST on Sunday.

The Australian-born neurologist said the black Toshiba Satellite 1800/2545 laptop computer was worth £2,500 but the data it contained was of most value.

Dr Minns said: "The cost of the laptop isn't important but I can't put a price on the time and effort that has gone into this research.

"If whoever stole it would consider carefully the impact of this loss on research into babies and put it back we would be extremely grateful."

Specialist sensors were placed within the heads of mannequin dolls as part of the biomechanics study into shaken baby syndrome.

The camcorder was used to film the movement of the dolls as they were shaken by Dr Minns' six research staff as part of the Lloyds TSB Foundation-funded project.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said: "The value of these items is in the information that is on them.

"It is the result of a number of years of work and research for a staff member and that loss is devastating. We are keen to get the property back as soon as possible."