Citation

Biermann T, Asemann R, McAuliffe C, Strobel A, Keller J, Sperling W, Bleich S, Kornhuber J, Reulbach U. Compr. Psychiatry 2009; 50(6): 573-577.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. teresa.biermann@uk-erlangen.de

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.comppsych.2009.01.002

PMID

19840597

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.

Language: en