PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Amir Mohebbi
AU  - Brian J. Holoyda
AU  - William J. Newman
TI  - Sexsomnia as a Defense in Repeated Sex Crimes
DP  - 2018 Mar 01
TA  - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
PG  - 78--85
VI  - 46
IP  - 1
4099  - http://jaapl.org/content/46/1/78.short
4100  - http://jaapl.org/content/46/1/78.full
SO  - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law2018 Mar 01; 46
AB  - Sexsomnia and related sexual behaviors during sleep may be diagnosed in individuals accused of sex crimes. Although sexsomnia is now formally recognized in the DSM-5, the variable presentation of such behaviors and the possibility of malingering in medicolegal situations can cause challenges for forensic evaluators and legal professionals alike. Review of the literature reveals a paucity of cases involving allegations of repeated incidents due to abnormal sexual behaviors or experiences in sleep. It is important for experts involved in such cases to understand how the courts have responded to sexsomnia defenses involving diverse alleged incidents. The authors review the case law and discuss methods of examining evaluees with suspected sexsomnia in cases of alleged sexual assault.