Forget me not : thoughts on the crossroads between law and medicine in assessing claims of amnesia
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Date
Authors
Stevens, G.P. (Geert Philip)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pretoria University Law Press (PULP)
Abstract
Geestesdeskundiges word op ´n gereelde basis gebruik om strafbare optrede
te rekonstrueer. Een van die groot struikelblokke wat geestesdeskundiges in
die gesig staar tydens die assesseringsfase hou verband met die geval waar
die beskuldigde beweer dat hy of sy aan geheueverlies ly, hetsy van ´n
tydelike- of permanente aard. Die bewering van amnesie, oftewel
geheueverlies, lewer ´n uitdaging vir sowel die forensiese geestesdeskundige
wat strewe daarna om sover moontlik aan juridiese standaarde te voldoen
ten aansien van die lewering van ´n opinie, as vir regsgeleerdes wat hul sake
tot die beste van hulle vermoë moet voordra. Een van die struikelblokke
tydens die assessering van amnesie hou verband met die beoordeling van die
waarheid of egtheid daarvan en dus om ware amnesie te onderskei van
gesimuleerde amnesie. Hierdie artikel verskaf 'n oorsig rakende die aard van
amnesie, die belangrikste oorsake daarvan asook die juridiese benadering tot
amnesia, geskets teen die agtergrond van die wisselwerking tussen die reg en
die mediese wetenskappe by die beoodeling van amnesie.
Mental health professionals are frequently utilised within our criminal justice system to reconstruct criminal behaviour. One of the major obstacles facing such assessment process relates to the situation where the evaluee claims total or partial memory loss (amnesia). The latter presents a challenge to both forensic practitioners attempting to meet specific legal standards, as well as legal practitioners striving towards the effective presentation of their cases. The most difficult aspect pertaining to the assessment of amnesia is ascertaining its authenticity and as such distinguishing true amnesia from malingered or “feigned” amnesia. In this article an overview will be provided as to the nature of amnesia, the major sources of amnesia as well as the legal approach to amnesia canvassed against the backdrop of the interplay between law and medicine in the assessment of amnesia.
Mental health professionals are frequently utilised within our criminal justice system to reconstruct criminal behaviour. One of the major obstacles facing such assessment process relates to the situation where the evaluee claims total or partial memory loss (amnesia). The latter presents a challenge to both forensic practitioners attempting to meet specific legal standards, as well as legal practitioners striving towards the effective presentation of their cases. The most difficult aspect pertaining to the assessment of amnesia is ascertaining its authenticity and as such distinguishing true amnesia from malingered or “feigned” amnesia. In this article an overview will be provided as to the nature of amnesia, the major sources of amnesia as well as the legal approach to amnesia canvassed against the backdrop of the interplay between law and medicine in the assessment of amnesia.
Description
Keywords
Loss of memory
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Stevens, GP 2012, 'Forget me not : thoughts on the crossroads between law and medicine in assessing claims of amnesia', De Jure, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 273-289.