Syndromes of Acute Alcohol Intoxication and Their Forensic Implications

Abstract

According to German penal law, the assessment of criminal responsibility is based upon two abilities: The one, of reasoning; the other, of being in command of oneself. In both cases we are dealing with psychic properties whose correct evaluation requires a meticulous description of the psychopathological state at the time of the crime. Therefore, forensic psychiatry is faced with exacting demands upon the syndromal diagnosis, which in turn has decisive influence upon the assessment of criminal responsibility and subsequently, the verdict and extent of the sentence. This is particularly true in cases of alcohol intoxication, for which the measure of psychic impairment can only be inferred by virtue of an accurate description of the behavior observed.