Citation

Mohebbi A, Holoyda BJ, Newman WJ. J. Am. Acad. Psychiatry Law 2018; 46(1): 78-85.

Affiliation

Dr. Mohebbi is a General Psychiatry Resident, Dr. Holoyda is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, and Dr. Newman is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Training Director of the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program, Department of Psychiatry, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Publisher American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

29618539

Abstract

Sexsomnia and related sexual behaviors during sleep may be diagnosed in individuals accused of sex crimes. Although sexsomnia is now formally recognized in the DSM-5, the variable presentation of such behaviors and the possibility of malingering in medicolegal situations can cause challenges for forensic evaluators and legal professionals alike. Review of the literature reveals a paucity of cases involving allegations of repeated incidents due to abnormal sexual behaviors or experiences in sleep. It is important for experts involved in such cases to understand how the courts have responded to sexsomnia defenses involving diverse alleged incidents. The authors review the case law and discuss methods of examining evaluees with suspected sexsomnia in cases of alleged sexual assault.

© 2018 American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.

Language: en