Objective This study aims to compare the outcome and psychiatric morbidity of the forensic mental observation referrals, in the two legally created groups of awaiting trial detainees – the ‘singles’ representing the minor violent and non-violent offenders versus the ‘panels’, representing the seriously violent offenders. Method A cross-sectional, retrospective record review of 200 cases, spanning from January 2010 to August 2010, of all individuals admitted to the Forensic unit of Sterkfontein Hospital, for 30 days psychiatric observation. The Pearson’s Chi squared test for categorical data was used to determine statistical significance. Results Of 110 ‘singles’ 49 (44.55%) were found fit for trial and 40 (40.4%) criminally responsible, whereas of the 90 ‘panel’ cases 60 (66.67%) were fit for trial and 57 (64.77%) were criminally responsible. (p = 0.002 and 0.001 respectively) Conclusion Those charged with seriously violent offences appear to be more likely to be found both fit and responsible, compared to those charged with less serious offences.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Medicine in Part Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Medicine in Psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand / Ninety-one patients referred for observation were evaluated by means of a data sheet which covered demographic, forensic and psychiatric data, as well as special investigations performed during the admission period. A significant number of patients (P = 0,005) involved in crimes of theft were found to be psychotic. A significant number of patients (P = 0,(24) involved in murder/attempted murder/culpable homicide were found to be apsychotic. None of the special investigations had a significant bearing on the diagnosis or legal destiny of the patient. it is clear that we should have a high index of suspicion towards psychosis in those patients who were allegedly involved in crimes against property and in particular crimes of theft. Special investigations should only be performed where there is a clear clinical indication. This approach wiII save considerable time and money without compromising the assessment. / Andrew Chakane 2019

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

The main purpose of this study is to examine the uses of forensic clinics in the administration of criminal justice as devices for the identification, diagnosis of treatment of psychiatric disorder in convicted offenders. A subsidiary aim of the study is to assess the feasibility of the establishment of such a facility in British Columbia. The thesis is introduced by an account of those changes in the criminal law which have resulted in its ceasing to be a simple instrument of deterrence and in increasing attention being paid to the principles of extenuation and rehabilitation. An attempt is then made to survey and evaluate recently published data on the prevalence and distribution of mental disorders in criminal populations, and the conclusion is drawn that approximately one fifth of all persons convicted of an indictable offence in typical North American jurisdictions are suffering from psychiatric problems serious enough to play an important part in their prospects of rehabilitation, even if those problems have had little direct causal significance in the commission of the original crimes. This is followed by a survey of the statutory auspices, administrative structures, clinical programs and financial bases of eight established forensic clinics, seven in the United States and one in Canada. This survey, together with material drawn from the published literature of criminology and public administration, serves as the basis of an attempt to formulate the requirements of an "ideal" forensic clinic. The model synthesized in this fashion is then applied to the local Provincial situation and a series of recommendations are made concerning the procedures to be followed and the principles to be observed in establishing a forensic clinic in British Columbia. The principal desiderata of effectiveness for a forensic clinic identified in the thesis are that: (1) in regard to both staffing arrangements and the character of its program, the clinic should be inter-disclipinary rather than purely psychiatric; (2) it should be expected to give purpose and precision to existing correctional facilities in the penal system, and not to compensate for the fact that none actually exist; (3) it should have no fixed commitment to dealing exclusively with one particular class of offenders (such as sexual offenders), but should hold itself ready to deal with any offenders whose problems and whose treatment it can competently advise on; (4) its workloads should never be such as to reduce its activities to routine levels or raise the dangers of perfunctoriness; (5) it must be sensitive to the working problems and needs of the courts of criminal justice but independent of direct control by the judiciary. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1974. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 231-243). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 317-335).

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Psychiatry Johannesburg, 2014 / BACKGROUND: Sexual offences against children have been an escalating problem in South Africa. Several international studies have found links between mental illness and sexual offenders. However, very little has been published on forensic psychiatric observation populations charged with sexual offences. South African studies have neither reported on mental illness and sexual offences against children, nor on forensic psychiatric observation of individuals charged with sexual offences against children. AIMS: To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics, and outcomes of the observation process, in a population charged with sexual offences against minors, referred for forensic psychiatric observation. OBJECTIVES: To measure the number of individuals admitted to a forensic psychiatric unit for observation, for any charge of a sexual offence against a minor, over a three year period; to determine their demographic profiles; to determine the number assessed to be fit to stand trial and criminally responsible, and the number not fit to stand trial and/or not criminally responsible; to determine if associations exist between the reasons for referral and outcomes in terms of fitness and responsibility; and to ascertain whether mental disorders were present in these individuals. METHODS: This study took the form of a retrospective record review at Sterkfontein Hospital from January 2007 to December 2009. It included all individuals charged with a sexual offence against a minor. Data was collected from the Criminal Procedure Act reports and clinical files. RESULTS: Rape was the commonest charge. More than half the sample was found fit to stand trial and criminally responsible. However, a high number of psychiatric diagnoses were made, of which substance-related disorders and intellectual impairment represented the majority of diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals referred for forensic psychiatric observation, charged with sexual offences against minors, rape was the commonest charge. Most of these individuals were found fit to stand trial and/or criminally responsible. However, a significant number were diagnosed with mental disorders. It is recommended that they receive special rehabilitation and psycho-education into their psychiatric conditions and the consequences thereof.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

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