Legal Psychopathology

Question 1

what is diminished responsibility

Answer 1

If a judge considers there is Diminished Responsibility they may reduce sentences i.e. Murder > Manslaughter

Question 2

examples of DR

Answer 2

R v Byrne (1960)
R v Vinagre (1979)
R v Millar (1972)

Question 3

examples that are not DR

Answer 3

R v Tandy (1989)
R v Wood (2009)
R v Steward (2009)

Question 4

what is insanity

Answer 4

when someone shows impairment near-permanently (trait)

Question 5

History of insanity

Answer 5

Hadfield shot King George III.
He had a head injury on battlefield
Hadfield was acquitted due to being under the influence of insanity

Question 6

what does NGRI mean

Answer 6

Not guilty by reasons of insanity

Question 7

Four key points on the link between Mental Health Conditions (MHC) and crime

Answer 7

1. The vast majority of people with MHCs are not violent. (Steinwachs, Kasper & Skinner, 1992)
2. There are heightened numbers of ppl with MHCS in arrest and incarnation rates compared to population. (Skeem, Manchak & Peterson, 2010)
3. Risk factors to offending behaviour within the group of people who have MHCs are the same as those who do not have MHCs
4. The danger to ‘public’ posed by violent individuals who have MHCs are relatively low - risk to MH personnel and families is higher (Solomon et al, 2005)