Insanity Flashcards
What are the six aspects of Insanity evaluation?
- Rules created in 1843
- Definitions
- Current rules too broad
- Narrow definition
- Burden of proof
- Jury decision
The royal commission on capital commission, in 1953, said the defence was “____ and _____.”
Obsolete and misleading
The ____ ______ ____ ____ _____, in 1953, said the defence was “Obsolete and misleading”
Royal commission on capital commission
The rules of insanity were created in _____
1843
Why is it a problem that the insanity rules were created in 1843?
Our knowledge of psychiatric injury was limited in the 19th-century. Despite developments of knowledge in this field, the rules have not changed,
The royal commission on capital commission, in ___, said the defence was “Obsolete and misleading.”
1953
Who criticised insanity in 1953?
The royal commission on capital commission
What three issues have been raised concerning the definitions of insanity?
- Should diseases such as diabetes be labelled as insanity?
- Why is a person with high blood sugar more dangerous with a person with low blood sugar?
- The definition is anomalous in the way that insanity has a legal definition yet a medical effect.
What is an issue that has been raised concerning the definition of insanity?
Hint: Anomaly
The fact that insanity has a legal definition yet a medical effect makes for inconsistency in the law.
What is an issue that has been raised concerning the definition of insanity?
Hint: Physical vs Mental
Is it logical to STILL name the effects of diabetes as insanity?
What is an issue that has been raised concerning the definition of insanity?
Hint: High vs low?
The fact that someone with high blood sugar is considered more dangerous than someone with low blood sugar seems illogical.
The current rules are said to be too wide as they include people who are unlikely to be a ___ ____ to themselves and others
recurring dangers
People suffering from 1.\_\_\_\_\_ 2.\_\_\_\_ 3.\_\_\_\_ are included within the definition of insanity despite the fact they're unlikely to be \_\_\_\_
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Sleepwalking
Dangerous
Why is insanity having an arguably narrow definition an issue?
It excludes those who are mentally ill yet aware that what they’re doing is wrong.
Medical evidence now recognises the possibility that mental illness can affect a personality and therefore may influence to commit a crime
Who is the burden of proof on?
The defendant.
Why is the burden of proof an issue?
This conflicts with the presumption of innocent until proven guilty. This may be contrary to Art 6 ECHR.
Why is the decision of whether the defendant is insane being done by a jury an issue?
At the trial there will be conflicting medical evidence and the jury must decide whether the D is LEGALLY INSANE despite lacking expertise.
There have been ___ suggested reforms the defence of insanity.
Three
Who suggested the M’Naughten rules should be abolished or bought in line with current medical knowledge?
The British medical association.