The first comprehensive account of how medical insight and folk psychology met in the courtroom, this book makes clear the tragedy of the crimes, the spectacle of the trials, and the consequences of the diagnosis for the emerging field of forensic psychiatry.
Mental Absence and Criminal Responsibility in Victorian London
Exploring the darker side of human nature, this book delves into the lives of mid-nineteenth-century defendants at London's Old Bailey. It presents a series of unique cases, including a sleepwalking nursemaid and a juvenile poisoner devoid of morals, alongside individuals grappling with profound psychological changes. Through these compelling narratives, the text examines themes of mental illness, societal norms, and the legal system's response to such extraordinary circumstances, revealing the complexities of crime and human behavior during that era.