This paper presents some legal and medical-psychiatric considerations relating to the offence of infanticide. The history of this offence in the Criminal Code of Canada is reviewed. Highlights in the literature of post-partum psychosis are presented, and it is contended that the offence of infanticide as a separate entity is unnecessary and discriminatory. It is felt that it should be abolished and that Section 16 of the Criminal Code is sufficient to deal with the cases of infanticide resulting from post-partum psychosis.
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