Citation

Wright N, Elfer D, Wright I. Med. Sci. Law 1995; 35(4): 327-332.

Affiliation

Maudsley Hospital, London.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7500857

Abstract

A case is described of a policeman who assaulted the man he was arresting after receiving a concussive blow to the head. The defence argued he was suffering from post-traumatic automatism and after juries were unable to agree a verdict in two trials he was acquitted. Aspects of post-traumatic automatism in English law are described and theories of the neurology of concussion and aggressive behaviour are discussed. Guidelines are proposed for the evaluation of cases of post-traumatic automatism.

Language: en