http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/authors/3921/chancey-b-herbolsheimer Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Fri, 15 May 2026 12:19:23 -0400 Fri, 15 May 2026 12:19:23 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1464/fetal-homicide-laws-the-policing-of-womens-bodies By Chancey B. Herbolsheimer - According to English common law, the destruction of a fetus was not considered homicide. Relying on the “born alive rule,” feticide was not equated with murder unless the fetus was born alive and survived independently of the mother before dying of prenatal injuries.[1] Although misdemeanor liability could be imposed in circumstances in which a defendant’s actions caused the death of the fetus, jurists refused to impose murder charges unless the fetus survived long enough for the cause of death to be clear.[2] Prior to 20th century legislation, U.S. law mirrored this common law... Fri, 21 Oct 2016 09:33 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1464/fetal-homicide-laws-the-policing-of-womens-bodies