The Uncertain Medical Origins of Diminished Responsibility.

The author offers his views about the concept of Diminished Responsibility as it pertains to medical cases. He notes the introduction of diminished responsibility into English law with its origins traced to Lord Deas' contributions to the common law of Scotland. He cites that a plea of diminished responsibility considers extenuating circumstances such as insanity suffered by the accused. It analyzes the application of the concept in the 1867 murder case against Alexander Dingwall.