One of the most famous cases of sleep-related crime-and a case that in some ways echoes Albert Tirrell-is that of Kenneth Parks. Tirrell’s defense claimed he was a sleepwalker, with a history of agitated and violent behavior during sleepwalking episodes that began when he was a young child. A man named Albert Tirrell was found not guilty of killing his mistress and setting fire to a brothel in Boston. involving the so-called “sleepwalking defense” came in 1846. Forensic experts point out that what we now can identify as sleep-related violence can be mistaken for intentional violence against oneself or others. Breakthroughs in sleep science have deepened our understanding of the intricacies of sleep, and the complex, porous lines between sleeping and waking. While not common, sleep-related crimes happen more often than you may think. You might think criminal cases that require an expert in sleep happen once in a blue moon. Confusional arousals, sometimes called “sleep drunkenness”.Medication interactions that affect sleep and dreaming.Dissociative disorders related to sleep.Sleep-related conditions that can result in disturbing, dangerous, and violent behavior include: There appears to be strong genetic connection to some parasomnias, including sleepwalking. Parasomnias can be caused by sleep disorders, medical conditions both physical and psychological, and interactions with medications, drugs, and alcohol, or for reasons sleep physicians can’t identify. Several parasomnias carry risks for sleep-related accidents and injury, to the sleeper and to other people the sleeper comes in contact with. Sleep terrors in children are form of parasomnia. There are many types of parasomnias, and collectively, parasomnias occur in an estimated 10 percent of general population. Parasomnias are a broad category of disorders and conditions that disrupt sleep and lead to unwanted behaviors, psychological states, and experiences related to sleep. I’ll talk briefly about what that term means. In connection with sleep-related violence. What could lead a sleeping person to enact dangerous, violent behavior while in some stage of sleep? The answer to that question is deeply complicated. The also research and study the latest in sleep science, and other physical and psychological conditions that might contribute to violent and dangerous behavior. They provide expert testimony for criminal and civil trials. They work with law enforcement and legal professionals on cases where sleep may be a factor. They perform medical examinations and sleep studies, and make diagnoses for sleep and sleep-related disorders. Yep, there’s room for a sleep specialist character on your (or my) favorite crime procedural show.Įxperts who work in the field of sleep forensic medicine make contributions to investigations and legal cases in a number of different ways. What is sleep forensics? It’s the use of sleep medicine, science, and expertise in the investigation of violent, strange, and irrational behavior related to sleep-and crimes that may stem from these behaviors. I am fascinated by all aspects of sleep and sleep science-and one really fascinating, and relatively little-known, area of interest for me is sleep forensics. I was asked once to be an expert witness, but it’s not something I’ve done. It really can be a bit of a mystery trying to determine what is going on with my patients, and how to treat it. To be 100 percent honest, I feel like a science-detective sometimes myself. I always like to see how they use science to solve the mystery. I like them all, but NCIS (the military one with Mark Harmon) is my favorite.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |