Relationship between lunar phases and serious crimes of battery: a population-based study

Abstract Objective The hypothesis of a lunar influence on human abnormal behavior is still widespread, although research has led to conflicting findings. Therefore, a population-based study to assess the influence of lunar phases on violent crimes was conducted. Methods The study included all seriou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comprehensive psychiatry 2009-11, Vol.50 (6), p.573-577
Main Authors: Biermann, Teresa, Asemann, Rita, McAuliffe, Carmel, Ströbel, Armin, Keller, Jochen, Sperling, Wolfgang, Bleich, Stefan, Kornhuber, Johannes, Reulbach, Udo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Aggressiveness
Biological and medical sciences
Chi-Square Distribution
Confidence intervals
Crime
Criminal investigations
Criminal law
Female
Fourier Analysis
Gender differences
Germany
Heart attacks
Humans
Male
Marital status
Medical sciences
Moon
Murders & murder attempts
Patient admissions
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Seasons
Self destructive behavior
Social behavior disorders. Criminal behavior. Delinquency
Statistical methods
Studies
Suicides & suicide attempts
Violence
Violence - psychology
Violence - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:Abstract Objective The hypothesis of a lunar influence on human abnormal behavior is still widespread, although research has led to conflicting findings. Therefore, a population-based study to assess the influence of lunar phases on violent crimes was conducted. Methods The study included all serious crimes of battery (aggravated assaults) committed in Middle Franconia (Bavaria, Germany) between 1999 and 2005 (n = 23 142). Data were analyzed regarding lunar phase, sex, and place of crime scene (outdoor vs indoor). Results No significant associations between full, absent, and the moon's interphases and serious crimes of battery could be detected. Furthermore, a Fourier analysis was conducted that failed to produce an association between violence and the moon's phases. Discussion Several possible explanations for the presented results are discussed including biological and social mechanisms. Conclusions The present study fails to find a significant association between lunar phases and crimes of battery.
ISSN:0010-440X
1532-8384
DOI:10.1016/j.comppsych.2009.01.002