Psychopathology and Crime Causation: Insanity or Excuse?

One of the most controversial topics in the criminal justice industry is the "insanity defense" and its applicability or validity in prosecuting criminal cases. The purpose of this assignment is to identify and discuss psychopathology and crime causation in terms of mental illness, research, and the insanity defense. For this evaluation, information was gathered from scholarly research, textbooks, dictionaries, and published literature. These sources were then carefully reviewed and applied to the evaluation in a concise, yet informative, manner. This assignment also addresses some of the key terms in psychopathology and crime causation, including various theories, definitions, and less commonly known relevant factors influencing claims of mental instability or insanity. The conclusion of this evaluation shows that mental illness is a very real issue facing society and the criminal justice system. This evaluation is not exhaustive and while it does provide insight into the factors of psychopathology and crime causation, the evaluation could benefit from the input of professionals currently working within the criminal justice industry.