Expert Testimony

During the first decade of the 19th century, medical science moves into the realm of criminal justice, and "expert testimony" is introduced for the first time. Many medical schools establish a required course of jurisprudence. The year 1820 marks the start of the medical profession's discussions on the insanity defense. It is not a new idea that the insane might be less responsible for their criminal actions than others; the "mad" have long been distinguished from the "bad." However, it has never before been considered a medical issue to be determined by "specialists." This marks the beginning of specialization, professionalization, and regulation in medicine and law, as well as the start of a complicated relationship between the two fields that will persist into the 21st century.

Cranial Shape of Skull of Sane Man in Figure 3 and 4 Compared to Skull Shape of Insane Man, 1809