MCCALDON R J
Can Med Assoc J. 1964 Oct 24;91(17):914-20.
Individuals can carry out complex activity while in a state of impaired consciousness, a condition termed "automatism". Consciousness must be considered from both an organic and a psychological aspect, because impairment of consciousness may occur in both ways. Automatism may be classified as normal (hypnosis), organic (temporal lobe epilepsy), psychogenic (dissociative fugue) or feigned. Often painstaking clinical investigation is necessary to clarify the diagnosis. There is legal precedent for assuming that all crimes must embody both consciousness and will. Jurists are loath to apply this principle without reservation, as this would necessitate acquittal and release of potentially dangerous individuals. However, with the sole exception of the defence of insanity, there is at present no legislation to prohibit release without further investigation of anyone acquitted of a crime on the grounds of "automatism".
个体在意识受损状态下仍可进行复杂活动，这种状态被称为“自动症”。必须从器质性和心理性两个方面来考量意识，因为意识障碍可能通过这两种方式出现。自动症可分为正常的（催眠）、器质性的（颞叶癫痫）、心因性的（解离性神游症）或伪装的。通常需要进行细致的临床调查以明确诊断。有法律先例表明，所有犯罪行为都必须体现意识和意志。法学家们不愿毫无保留地适用这一原则，因为这将导致对潜在危险个体的无罪释放。然而，除了精神错乱辩护这一唯一例外情况外，目前尚无立法禁止在未对因“自动症”被判无罪的任何人进行进一步调查的情况下将其释放。
