Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Adults - 2737 Words

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among Adults UIN: XXXXXXXXX Psychology 270, Fall/2013 – Instructor Professor K. Reyes University of Illinois at Chicago Introduction In everyday life, it is inevitable that an individual will experience some form of stress. This stress may come in the form of daily hassles, inconveniences and major life events such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. When stress becomes traumatic, the individual is at a great risk of developing a stress disorder. According to the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000), traumatic stress occurs when the individual is presented with a traumatic situation in which the person experiences or witnesses an event that incorporated threats of death or significant harm and the person’s reaction to the event consisted of profound terror, helplessness or revulsion. A traumatic event can be a large-scale event with multiple victims such as natural/human caused disasters, war, mass violence or explicit experience in the death of others. Examples of these large-scale events include 9/11, the Holocaust, Hurricane Katrina etc. Other classification of traumatic events involve unintended acts involving fewer people such as motor vehicle collisions or life threatening illnesses and acts of intended personal violence such as sexual/physical assault, torture or child abuse. These traumatic stressors cause a significant more amount of distress than the everyday stressors mentioned earlier as they cause the individual to challengeShow MoreRelatedPost Traumatic Stress Disorder980 Words   |  4 PagesToday we are here to figure out why is it that past events are the triggers that cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or undergoing a dangerous event. There are various symptoms that begin to show or actions that can give a clear answer whether one may be diagnosed with this disorder. One of the many problems is that no age range is safe from suffering PTSD. One must ask themselves what set of events happenedRead More Sexual Assault Among Women In the United States Essay1239 Words   |  5 PagesSexu al Assault Among Women In the United States Sexual Assault described in technical terms is defined as any sort of sexual activity between two or more people in which one of the people involved is involved against his or her will. (3) The description of against his or her will extends to varying degrees of aggression, ranging from indirect pressure to a direct physical attack. According to the Crime Victim Research and Treatment Center 1.3 adult women are sexually assaulted in theRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder ( Ptsd ) Essay1453 Words   |  6 PagesAmong those who served in the Vietnam War, 84.8% of those diagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder still show moderate impairment of symptoms, even 30 plus years after the war (Glover 2014). As of today, the Unites States has 2.8 million veterans who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, of those it is estimated that 11 to 20% currently suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. As of 2013, a total of 12,632 veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are currently diagnosed with Post-TraumaticRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder is on the Raise Essay1155 Words   |  5 PagesPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is defined as mental health disorder triggered by a terrifying event (Mayo Clinic). This ordeal could be the result of some sort of physical harm or threat to the individual, family members, friends or even strangers (NIMH). While PTSD is typically associated with someone who has served in the military, it can affect more than just that genre of individuals. It could affect rape victims, victims in a terrorist or natural disaster incident, nurses, doctors, andRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder884 Words   |  4 Pagesof traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.† (NIMH) Families of veterans struggle to help their loved ones. â€Å"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by a person’s exposure to life-threatening or otherwise traumatic circumstances.† (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder affectsRead More Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Essay1266 Words   |  6 Pages Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a very serious and debilitating condition that occurs after a person has been exposed to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical danger happened or was threatened. The kinds of traumatic events triggering PTSD in people include violent personal assaults (rape, mugging), natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes), man-made disasters (bombings), accidents or military combat. People who suffer from PTSD often reliveRead MoreMethods of Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Essay924 Words   |  4 PagesWhen humans undergo traumatic events that threaten their safety and wellbeing, they may become vulnerable to nightmares, fear, excessive anxiety, depression, and trembling. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological illness that results from the occurrence of a â€Å"terribly frightening, life-threatening, or otherwise unsafe experience† (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), 2012). This condition often leads t o unbearable stress and anxiety. PTSD is significantly prevalent as indicatedRead MoreEssay on terrorism1348 Words   |  6 Pagesorderly and controllable. Studies have shown that deliberate violence creates longer lasting mental health effects than natural disasters or accidents.1 1 Scott, R., Brooks, N. amp; McKinlay, W. (1995). Post-traumatic morbidity in a civilian community: A follow-up at 3 years. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8, p. 412. Consequences both for individuals and the community are prolonged, and survivors often feel that injustice has been done to them. This can lead to prejudice, anger, frustration, helplessnessRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder1539 Words   |  7 Pagesisn’t the cause in many men and women returning home from today’s wars. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can result from a number of different traumatic events, but the intensity and duration of some people’s reactions can be quite different but that also has many factors. The negative effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is affecting families and the effects it has on families of patients. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder isn’t something new that has just appeared it’s something people have beenRead MoreNatural Disasters3617 Words   |  15 PagesZyy06mku SWK Psychological Consequences of Earthquakes Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and cyclones, floods, and tornadoes are some of the traumatic experiences that may cause posttraumatic stress disorders. This type of disorders and other disaster related psychological problems are prevalent after natural disasters. As a result it is important to analyse those individuals that develop psychological problems especially to prepare and plan

Should The Death Penalty Be Responsible For Making Such A...

Many of us have heard terms such as probation, parole, life sentence, and lethal injection. We often hear these â€Å"phrases,† but what exactly do they all have in common and why do we hear them as often as we do? They are sentences commonly handed down to individuals suspected of committing heinous crimes. While most people will recognize these as the punishments that often find themselves making their way through our court system, there exists some disagreement about their fairness and whether or not they all should be utilized. What criteria should we use to determine whether or not a punishment is just or unjust? Who should be responsible for making such a decision? Should there be alternatives offered to circumvent this uncertainty? Most importantly, is there evidence to support these opinions or are they just that: opinions? The death penalty is something that has been around for centuries, but lately it has been the center of many controversies. While there are no cut and dry answers to these questions, there is one thing that is certain; before we are quick to make assumptions on the issue, there are some basic facts that we should first be made aware of when deciding whether the death penalty provides closure to families, or if it is legal murder carried out by the states. From the time that America was first colonized, the death penalty has been a punishment carried out in our country (Part I: History of the Death Penalty). Many viewed it as an integral part ofShow MoreRelatedThe Punishment Of The Death Penalty1620 Words   |  7 Pages The 2005 decision made in Roper v. Simmons’ declared that the crimes committed by people under the age of 18 would not be punishable by death. Because of this the United States Supreme Court challenged the constitutionality of the death penalty for juveniles. Whether the decision was appropriate or not is still under intense debate to this day. â€Å"A primary purpose of the juvenile justice system is to hold juvenile offenders accountable for delinquent acts while providing treatment, rehabilitativeRead MoreThe Constitutionality Of The Death Penalty1270 Words   |  6 PagesThe constitutionality of the death penalty has been a heated topic of discussion for decades. The history of the death penalty in the U nited States is extensive; from a suspension to a reinstating and individual statutes throughout the 50 states. One of the most controversial of the Supreme Court cases involving the death penalty is Roper v. Simmons. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that the execution of people who were under 18 at the time of their crimes violates the federal constitutional guaranteeRead MoreThe Consequences Of The Death Penalty Essay1573 Words   |  7 Pagesthey do consider the risks, they are typically not focused upon the long-term consequences, such as death, but rather the immediate arrest and imprisonment. In fact, according to Kovandzic et al. (2009), the long-term risks never enter the forefront of the criminal’s mind during the decision-making process. By narrowing their focus upon the gains rather than the costs, they are able to minimize (or even eliminate) their fear of arrest and punishment, and even sometimes believing they wouldn’t getRead MoreThe Death Penalty. .The Death Penalty Is Currently Used1365 Words   |  6 PagesThe Death Penalty The death penalty is currently used by 34 states and is used by the federal government for punishing federal crimes. And in most cases the death penalty is used when the criminal has been convicted of murder. However, two people have been sentenced to death for the rape of a minor. The definition of the death penalty is: execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law of a criminal offense. This begs the question does the government have theRead MoreReasons For The Death Penalty Essay1458 Words   |  6 PagesJustice can be served in various ways and will be as effective as the death penalty. Life imprisonment without parole is one such way of dealing with persons convicted of committing a murder (Mappes, DeGrazia Zembaty, 2012). While abolitionists and retentionists continue to discuss their viewpoints on the death penalty, it does appear that the retentionists do not have any concrete arguments other than retaining the death penalty as a form of retribution for murders committed. However, as the abolitionistsRead MoreThe Death Penalty For Juveniles1169 Words   |  5 PagesResearch Paper: Death Penalty for Juveniles Capital punishment for juveniles is one of the most controversial topics to ever be explored in society and in the criminal justice system. The death penalty is a rare occurrence amongst juveniles since it is so arguable as to whether they should be tried as adults. Lynn Cothern from the Juvenile Justice Resource Center suggests that â€Å"the primary purpose of the juvenile justice system is to hold juvenile offenders accountable for delinquent acts whileRead MoreA Halt On The Death Penalty Is Necessary Since The Cost1265 Words   |  6 Pageson the death penalty is necessary since the cost of maintaining it extends far beyond keeping criminals in prison, it proves to not serve as a deterrent to criminals, and it is inherently racist based on our application to this day. The controversy linked to the expenses of the death penalty compared life in prison is known to be higher. According to Times, the death penalty has three stages. These stages include the cost of prosecution, the cost of defense, and the cost of housing a death penaltyRead MoreThe Death Penalty Essay1262 Words   |  6 PagesThe death penalty is currently used by 34 states and is used by the federal government for punishing federal crimes. And in most cases the death penalty is used when the criminal has been convicted of murder. However, two people have been sentenced to death for the rape of a minor. The definition of the death penalty is: execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law of a criminal offense. This begs the question does the government have the right to take away someone’sRead MoreCapital Punishment : The Death Penalty1452 Words   |  6 PagesThe death penalty also known as capital punishment is when the government decides w hether or not to kill a person depending on their crime. If it’s a petty crime you won’t be considered for death penalty but when you commit a heinous crime such as mass murder or rape and murder the courts may rule for you to get the death penalty. The death penalty can date back hundreds of years ago to the 13th century when the Code of Hammurabi was created. One of its infamous laws was â€Å"an eye for an eye†. WhenRead MoreAlthough The Death Penalty Is As Ancient As Civilization,1520 Words   |  7 PagesAlthough the death penalty is as ancient as civilization, it has proven throughout the years that it serves no purpose under a democratic system. Civilization began as a cruel and unusual system that ascended through barbaric drudgery; however, as our nation is established on basic principles of human rights and human dignity, maintaining the death penalty in the United States appears to be a dissonance to the Constitutional amendment which states that cruel and unusual punishment shall not be required

Principles of communication in adult social care setting free essay sample

Explain how communication affects relationships in an adult social care setting Relationships are important within a social care setting as residents need to feel that are in an environment where they are able to communicate confidence to any ember of staff. Communications between all staff are equally important due to changes to the needs of certain residents in relations to their care and support they need to receive. Communication is also used in informing doctors, social workers and other medical professions about changes with residents for example if: Mr smith medication had been changed and he was reacting to it, we could ring the doctors for help and advice for the best solution to help Mr Smith. . Understand how to meet communication and language needs, wishes and preferences of an individual . 1 Compare ways to establish the communication and language needs, wishes and preference of an individual There are different ways to establish communication with an individual by using verbal or non-verbal communication for example non-verbal communication such as sign language as people who are hard of hearing may be reassured by the use of sign. We will write a custom essay sample on Principles of communication in adult social care setting or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Interpreters can be used to help language barriers by ensuring all care and wishes are being protected such as religious rules and preferences. Together with this your body language is equally important as the way e present ourselves to people can set the tone of the conversation we are about to have. Verbal communication can also be used to ensure all needs, wishes and conversation with the resident. 2. Describe the factors to consider when promoting effective communication There are loads of different factors to consider when promoting effective communication, such as the hearing ability of the person in which you are talking to, the sight as many people follow your mouth while they are being spoke to if they are hard of hearing, the tone of your voice help explain the reason for the conversation. Speaking on the same level to help the resident from feeling intimidated. The environment is also a massive contributor in helping promote effective communication such as family and friends, or even what you hear on the radio or see on the television this can help by Just hearing someones voice or seeing things on the television you may feel that you are not alone and can comfort residence that may like to spend time within their own space, it can also help by following story lines within society 2. 3 Describe a range of communication methods and styles to meet individual needs. Different communication styles and methods while ensuring you meet the needs of an individual can be meet in different ways such as looking into someones eyes helps to establish there mood and feeling by the way they are looking to what youre saying, there face can help explain how they are understanding what you are saying to them and can also indicate if they are in any pain or discomfort, tone of voice can also set the tone for the conversation weather it is informal or a formal conversation. Touch can also help to meet the needs of the individual as though touching someone ou can send different vibes such as care, affection, reassurance or even power over them. Body language is a other way to communicate to help meet the needs of an individual by sitting on the same level as someone you can make the situation more relaxed than standing tall over them which could make them feel intimidated. Research has shown that people pay more attention to facial expressions and tone of voice than spoken words, also behaviour is also an important as you must respect the individual no matter what day you are having you must remember that you need to emain professional. You can also communicate using verbal communication such as different styles of vocabulary, pitch and even the pitch of you voice while speaking to an individual. 2. Explain why it is important to respond to an individuals reaction when communicating It is important to respond to an individuals reactions while communicating with them as they may become scared, worried or even not understand what is been asked or said to them. They may also need to be comforted understand what is been asked or said, you can do this by nodding your head, aking eye contact or even repeating what has been said in the conversation. 3. Understand how to overcome barriers to communication

Single Sex Education free essay sample

Women did not attend school; rather, they learned the skill of reading and writing, and some acquired mathematics through private lessons or a tutor, but if they were rich they were sent to a boarding school where the emphasis would be on elegant accomplishments like music, dancing, drawing, painting, embroidery, and even sometimes French. Women were not allowed to further their education after grammar school. If they wished, they could continue their studies privately because a womans thinking is argued, intuitive, rooted in emotion and intensely subjective. A mans thinking is allegedly analytic, freer from emotion and more objective. For this matter women and men were taught separately. ?Single sex education was used for providing an excellent education to the man and sometimes the women in those years. Although single gender schools â€Å"threatened the principle of equal access,†(Stabiner 18) it also strengthened the minds of those sitting in the classrooms by having so many admirable advantages. We will write a custom essay sample on Single Sex Education or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page By the end of the 18th century some girls were able to attend elementary schools, but only before and after the boys’ had their classes. In 1974 Congress passed The Equal Educational Opportunities Act. It prohibited discrimination against faculty, staff and students, including racial segregation of students, and required school districts to take action to overcome barriers to study equal participation† (Salomone 10. ) The civil rights movement brought about controversies on busing, language rights, desegregation, and the idea of â€Å"equal education† (Salomone 12. ) The groundwork for the creation of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act first came about with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned discrimination and racial segregation against African Americans and women. In 1968, the U. S Department of Education, once the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, issued a declaration saying that school officials are responsible for providing equal educational opportunities for all, regardless of one’s nationality, race, or color(Salomone 15. ) Although these laws gave each person the right to attend a school of his or her choice, the creation of single sex schools brought a new definition to education. â€Å"The single-sex format creates opportunities that don’t exist in the coed classroom† (Sax 1/11). Students who attend single sex high schools have a greater chance of being less distracted than in a coeducational high school. Boys tend to lessen their aggressive edge and become communal in a single sex setting. They can just be boys and not have to worry about what girls may say because they are not in the same school. Boys can enjoy poetry and play in an orchestra. This is a tremendous contrast to a co-educational high school setting. ?Girls drop their shyness and begin to take risks in a single sex school setting. They become more competitive. They embrace sports like field hockey and soccer with enthusiasm without worrying about appearing like tom boys. Young Teenagers are subjected to an inundation of pressure to become adults before they are ready to do so. They grow up too swiftly. Single sex education is a gentler, more controlled atmosphere. On the contrary: some public schools which have adopted single-sex classrooms, without appropriate preparation, have experienced bad outcomes, said Dr. Leonard Sax (9/11. )Simply putting girls in one room, and boys in another, is no assurance of anything excellent happening. Dr. Leonard Sax states that merely placing boys in separate classrooms from girls accomplishes little, but single-sex education enhances a student’s success when teachers use techniques geared toward the gender of their students. Some research indicates that girls learn better when classroom temperature is warm, while boys perform better in cooler classrooms. If thats true, then the temperature in a single-sex classroom could be set to optimize the learning of either male or female students (4/11). Some research and reports from educators suggest that single-sex education can widen the educational prospects for both girls and boys. A quality education is about much more than test scores and transcripts: it ought to open doors and keep them open for as long as possible† (Stabiner 3). Advocates claim co-ed schools tend to reinforce gender stereotypes, while single-sex schools can break down gender stereotypes. For example, girls are free of the pressure to compete with boys in male-dominated subjects such as mathematics and science. On the other hand, boys can easily pursue traditionally feminine interests such as music and poetry. The child’s happiness should be one of the most important factors in choosing a school with a quality education. Equally important is finding a school with inspiring, gifted teachers and this may lead the parents of the teenagers to consider three other factors: letting the child be themselves, the teaching style and what is being taught and, finally, the socialization of the children. Researchers at Stetson University in Florida completed a three-year pilot project comparing single-sex classrooms with coed classrooms. All relevant parameters were matched: the class sizes were all the same, the demographics were the same, all teachers had the same training in what works and what doesnt work, etc (qtd. n single-sex vs. coed 2/11) What’s really important at most coed schools is the game of who likes who, whos going out with whom, whos cool and whos not. That’s hardly ever the case at single-sex schools. Edison Trickett and Penelope Trickett, compared students in private single-sex schools in the United States with students at private coed schools in the United States (5/11), and fou nd that students in the single-sex schools had a far more positive attitude toward academics than did students in coed schools (5/11). This discovery held for both boys and girls. The students at the single-sex schools also developed better decision-making skills, and were more occupied in classroom activities. ?Single sex education has advantages that co-education cant reach. Single-sex schools provide better circumstances; teachers can tailor their teaching to suit students’ leaning styles, improve students’ academic performance and develop conductive skills and personalities.

OSH Situation essays

OSH Situation essays The Occupational Safety and Health act of 1994(OSHA) is appropriate and an adequate basis for the improvement of the working environment for all employees in Malaysia. OSHA ensures safety, health and welfare of person at work. The main objectives of this project is to conduct an enquiry among the workforce of the industries, focusing on OSH as a general issue with attention to various industries an identifying any situation related to OSHA and Environmental Quality Act 1974,which does not comply with the regulation outlined in both acts. Nihon Canpack (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. situated in Batu Gajah, Perak, is a company which obtained 100 percent trust from NESTLE and produces 8 types of drinks (MILO, NESCAFE REGULAR, NESCAFE DARK COFFEE, NESCAFE MOCHA, NESTEA LEMON, MANGGO AND ORANGE) base on recipe from Nestle. The company also has wastewater treatment plant which costs RM 1 million. It was built according the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to ensure the quality of water before it will be released to the environment. Besides that the water recycling machine is able to recycle half of 350 metric tan of water used everyday. Nihon Canpack (Malaysia) Sdn.Bhd. provide a good OSHA situation at the factory. However, they still need some improvements to enhance their working environment so that the workers will feel more comfortable to do their work. As stated in the company philosophy, the company wants to create a conducive environment for job enrichment. The word conducive means comprises both good qualities of physical and mental aspects in the working environment. These two elements need to be considered by the company to improve OSH situation at the workplace. This company complies with most of the vital requirement in OSHA 1994 and most of the workers believe that their workplace is safe. The only weaknesses are due to inattentiveness of the employer and employee about the safety act that should they take. This inattentiveness...

Technology Implementation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Technology Implementation Paper - Essay Example There are numerous examples: travel and holiday agents are all linked by networks directly to the databases maintained by airlines, railways and holiday companies making possible virtually instantaneous booking, computing cash tills and bar-code readers in supermarkets are linked to computers and form part of an integrated stock control, ordering and sales analysis system without which modern supermarkets could not function. New technology is having effects on organization structures. Because of the easier and speedier communications and the increasing sophistication of automatic decision making by computers, middle management is tending to disappear in many organizations including service centers and manufacturing, hospitals and trade organizations, etc. (Frame, D.J., (2002). Organizations are becoming flatter and leaner because top management are able to monitor operations more directly and computers are now taking many decisions previously taken by middle management. Examples include: computerized stock and production control in manufacturing, automatic credit scoring and loan authorizations in banks. IT is also changing the nature of the debate about centralization versus decentralization. Properly planned technology systems with distributed data processing enable both more centralization of standards, performance targets and policies and more decentralization of operations through more immediate an d speedier service to customers (Bretschneider, Heintze, 2000). Also, restructuring involves changes in routine processes towards goals-oriented performance. Following Bohmer et al (2001) "The design of a technology often reinforces a habitual routine; for example, the design of a commercial aircraft's cockpit is conducive to certain standard operating procedures for takeoff and landing" (685). In this case, transaction processing systems are pre-specified and changes require the intervention of system specialists; transaction processing comprises: activity processing, report processing and enquiry processing. Businesses are increasingly being reorganized into processes rather than functions (Knop et al, 1998). This is known as process re-engineering and means that firms must identify their core processes and design them so that delays, confusion and demarcations are reduced or eliminated. For instance, the case of The Bell Group vividly portrays implementation of CRM (Customer Relationship management) system and its success for the company. The project includes such areas as accounting, manufacturing, warehousing, field service, and shipping systems. All technological systems were launched separately in order to avoid mistakes and errors (The Bell Group, 2005). It is now possible for managers to obtain information on organizational performance down to the level of specific transactions from just about anywhere in the organization at any time. This new intensity of information makes possible far more precise planning, forecasting, and monitoring (Schwalbe, 2005). A New Employee Managers must deal with new people issues because the changes brought about by technology definitely require a new kind of employee. The use of technology requires more problem solving skills and the ability to interpret data and is thus likely to lead to a widening gulf between skilled and unskilled workers. Routine tasks requiring a low level of skill are

To what ExtenT do 'Reverse Burdens' Whittle down the Rule in Essay

To what ExtenT do 'Reverse Burdens' Whittle down the Rule in Woolmington v DPP - Essay Example This paper demonstrates how reverse burdens have whittled down the presumption of innocence and how reverse burdens are justified in appropriate cases. I. The Presumption of Innocence All persons accused of a criminal offence are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence is codified by Article 6(2) of the ECHR. Article 6(2) which is prefaced by a right to fair trial within a reasonable time,4 provides for the presumption of innocence until guild is proven â€Å"according to law†.5By virtue of the Human Rights Act 1998, the ECHR is a part of the British law and all national statutes must be read and interpreted in such a way as to be compatible with the ECHR.6 The presumption of innocence means that the prosecution must prove the essential elements of the alleged offence. As Blackstone’s Criminal Practice notes: The phrase ‘the presumption of innocence’ is often used as a convenient abbreviation of the common-law rule that, generally speaking, the pros ecution bears the burden of proving all the elements in the offence necessary to establish guilt.7 Specifically, the prosecution must prove that the defendant committed the act constituting the offense (actus reus) and had the â€Å"requisite state of mind† (mens rea).8 The common law rule was stated by Lord Sankey in Woolmington v DPP. In the case, the defendant was convicted of murdering his wife as a result of shooting. The defendant argued that the gun was discharged accidentally. The trial judge ruled that the defendant bore the burden of proving that he lacked the necessary mens rea. Upon appeal, the House of Lords, allowing the appeal ruled that in criminal trials, the common law rule was that the burden of proof showing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt resided with the prosecution.9 Therefore the presumption of innocence is not lost until such time as the prosecution discharges the burden of proof beyond a reasonable. This is a primary requisite for a fair trial pursua nt to Article 6 of the ECHR.10 It was held in McIntosh v Lord Advocate11 that a difficult paradox is created by the presumption of innocence and the public’s interest in ensuring that the guilty are convicte