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Menstrual cycles and criminal responsibility

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Law and Human Behavior

Abstract

Since at least the turn of the century, there have been reports indicating that women have an increased tendency toward criminal behavior during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. Recently these reports have served as the basis for a proposal to expand the insanity defense to recognize the impact of menstrual cycles in diminishing criminal responsibility. This paper reviews the empirical literature on the link between menstruation and crime and raises several critical questions regarding interpretation of this data. In light of these questions it is suggested that at this time an insanity defense based on menstrual symptomology would be inappropriate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska, Omaha

    Julie Horney

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  1. Julie Horney
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Horney, J. Menstrual cycles and criminal responsibility. Law Hum Behav 2, 25–36 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01047499

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