Crime and LSD: The Insanity Plea
American Journal of Psychiatry October 1, 1969 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.126.4.531 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDetermining legal insanity after a crime committed under the influence of LSD presents unique challenges. Three murder cases linked to LSD use are described, including one examined by the authors. Five criteria are offered to aid forensic evaluations in such cases. The authors discuss differences between alcoholic intoxication and LSD-induced psychosis to clarify voluntary intoxication issues regarding criminal responsibility.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Individuals who committed murder associated with LSD use |
| Keywords | Plea Insanity Psychology Forensic psychiatry Criminology |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key finding | Five specific criteria are proposed to aid forensic examinations of criminal responsibility in cases of LSD-induced psychosis. |
Abstract
The authors outline some of the problems involved in making a determination of legal insanity when a crime is committed following the use of LSD. Three cases of murder known to be associated with the use of LSD are described, one of them involving an individual examined personally by the authors. Five specific criteria that the authors have found to be useful aids in forensic examinations of such cases are offered. Finally, the differences between alcoholic intoxication and LSD-induced psychosis are discussed to help clarify the issue of voluntary intoxication in regard to criminal responsibility.