Relationship between lunar phases and serious crimes of battery: a population-based study.
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Authors
Biermann, Teresa
Asemann, Rita
McAuliffe, Carmel
Ströbel, Armin
Keller, Jochen
Sperling, Wolfgang
Bleich, Stefan
Kornhuber, Johannes
Reulbach, Udo
Issue Date
2009-03-10
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
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.
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).
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.
Several possible explanations for the presented results are discussed including biological and social mechanisms.
The present study fails to find a significant association between lunar phases and crimes of battery.
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).
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.
Several possible explanations for the presented results are discussed including biological and social mechanisms.
The present study fails to find a significant association between lunar phases and crimes of battery.
Description
Citation
Biermann, T., Asemann, R., McAuliffe, C., Ströbel, A., Keller, J., Sperling, W., Bleich, S., Kornhuber, J., & Reulbach, U. (2009). Relationship between lunar phases and serious crimes of battery: a population-based study. Comprehensive psychiatry, 50(6), 573–577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2009.01.002
Publisher
License
Journal
Comprehensive psychiatry
Volume
50
Issue
6
PubMed ID
ISSN
1532-8384