title: Automatism re-visited: post-traumatic automatism as a defence to a serious criminal charge.
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.
authors.affiliation: Maudsley Hospital, London.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elfer
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D001332:Automatism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000523:psychology*; D003416:Criminal Law; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016495:Police / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*