2. The elements of a crime: actus reus

The chapter begins the exploration of the elements of criminal offences. Two factors are crucial: the event, behaviour or state of affairs known as the external element or actus reus, and the state of mind known as the mental element or mens rea. This chapter discusses the principle of actus reus, proof and the elements of the offence, how to identify elements of actus reus and mens rea, coincidence of actus reus and mens rea, the effect of penalty provisions in determining the elements of the actus reus, actus reus and justification or excuse, the problematic case of Dadson with regard to actus reus, physical involuntariness, a ‘state of affairs’ as an actus reus, general liability for omissions, offences of mere omission, causation, the ‘but for’ principle, the connection between fault and result and negligible causes.

Historical Moral Responsibility and Manipulation via Deletion

In discussions on moral responsibility for actions, a commonly discussed case is one in which an agent is manipulated into performing some action. On some views, such agents lack responsibility for those actions partly because they issue from attitudes that were acquired in an inappropriate way. In this paper, it is argued that such views are in need of revision. After introducing a new problematic case of a manipulated agent, revisions are offered for specific views. The paper concludes with a discussion of the views in a broader context, as well as some potential implications of the revisions.

En coup de sabre — a case report of therapeutic difficulties

En coup de sabre (ECDS) is a rare linear form of localized scleroderma that occurs more frequently in children than in adults. The involvement of the scalp leads to cicatricial alopecia. The aim of this paper is to present a problematic case of ECDS in young female patient. Many terapeutical methods were introduced, based on guidelines described in diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the Polish Dermatological Society (e.g. methotrexate, oral and intravenous glucocorticoids, subcutaneous triamcinolone injections and topical high potent steroids as well as kalcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus). The lasting improvement was not achieved. The remission was finally induced after the implementation of mycophenolate mofetil.

Law and Romanization in Judaea

Judaea in many ways posed a problem to Roman administrators, and not just due to the history of rebellion in the region in the first and second centuries CE. How should a population with its own very distinctive legal tradition be administered in the context of the imperial enterprise? This chapter concentrates particularly on the question of the availability and interaction of different jurisdictions in the region from 6 CE, when the area first came under direct Roman rule, up to the foundation of Aelia Capitolina. It is argued that the odd administration of the region makes this a particularly problematic case, and the oscillation between indirect and direct rule was a key factor in assessing the level of Roman influence on legal forms and institutions.