“The correspondence principle concerns the relationship between actus reus and mens rea. If the offence is defined in terms of certain consequences and certain circumstances, the mental element ought to correspond with that by referring to those consequences or circumstances. Ashworth and Campbell in Recklessness in Assault and in General (1991) 107 L.Q.R. 187 at p.192. Question 1: Explain, with examples, the principle of mens rea and consider whether it is right that the defendant could be convicted without a blameworthy state of mind. Question 2: Discuss, with reference to the above statement, whether the mental element required for offences against the person corresponds to the actus reus and whether it should correspond with the actus Reus. LLB (HONS) CRIMINAL LAW, BPP University.”

The general rule of crime which it consist of two elements are, ‘actus reus’ where it brings about the meaning of the physical guilty act. However, this refers to the action of the defendant, which it is prohibited by law. To prove actus reus, the defendant must do an act to be guilty of an offence.

The term of ‘mens rea’ refers to ‘the mental element’ but it is known as ‘guilty mind’ . The prosecution needs to prove whether the defendant is guilty in relation to each element of actus reus. Some crimes can be committed with different types of mens rea, for example, intention, recklessness and negligence . For mens rea of intention is the only type of an offence, where it can be acceptable for a conviction for murder.

Mens Rea for Murder

The mens rea for murder is known as ‘malice aforethought’. Malice aforethought means that the accused must have either intended death o…(short extract)