The Influence of Psychological Disorders on Criminal Behavior and Different Degrees of Criminal Responsibility

Many studies have examined the influence of psychological and genetic disorders on criminal behaviour. In criminal law, these factors may result in insanity defence; however, in many cases, genetic disorders and subsequently psychological disorders are not severe enough to result in insanity defence and instead, the defence of diminished responsibility might be raised. While many countries have recognised such defence, the Islamic Criminal Code of Iran has not recognised it yet. In the latest revision of this Code in 2013, the term ‘insanity’ was replaced by ‘psychological disorder’ and widened the circle of factors that may result in a criminal defence. Nonetheless, still, the only legal impact of genetic and psychological disorders is the insanity defence. This study by exploring the relation between psychological and genetic factors and different degrees of criminal responsibility examines the role of the insanity defence and diminished responsibility in Iran and some other countries.