dr4: provides an explanation for the conduct

• this element was newly introduced by the coroners and justice act 2009
• s1b homicide act 1957: ‘an abnormality of mental functioning provides an explanation for defendant’s conduct if it causes or is a significant contributory factor in causing the defendant to carry out that conduct
• r v dowds: voluntary acute intoxication is not alone capable of founding diminished responsibility
• r v dietschmann: the jury must consider ‘did, despite the drink, the mental abnormality substantially impair his mental responsibility for his acts in doing the killing?‘
• r v wood: alcohol dependency syndrome may be recognised as a medical condition