The Challenges of Absolute Application of the Principle of coincidence of mens rea and actus reus

Along with the accepted principles of criminal law, both in written and unwritten systems, the mere existence of material and mental elements of a crime is not sufficient, but their coincidence is also necessary. To substantiate this necessity, different and solid reasons have been raised, however, the acceptance of the "principle of the coincidence of material and mental elements", despite the pursuit of positive effects for the realization of justice, as the highest objective of criminal law, in some cases, also causes negative effects and injustice in the criminal justice system. The negative effects of the principle of "coincidence of material and mental elements" has not been widely and deeply discussed with a single intellectual approach. There is also no in-depth debate about the way and method by which these negative effects can be zeroed or reduced. This research examins the adverse consequences of the traditional or absolutist approach to the principle of coincidence between material and mental elements. It is concluded that a "relativistic" approach to the principle of coincidence can help the criminal justice system to avoid such negative effects.