Evaluation of Forensic Cases Referred to the Child Psychiatry Clinic of a Research Hospital

Objective: In this article, evaluation of forensic cases referred via judicial authorities to child and adolescent psychiatry clinic of a training hospital was aimed. Method: Forensic reports of cases sent by judicial authorities to the Child Psychiatry Clinic of our hospital between 01 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Cases were evaluated according to gender, age, referral date, referral reason and contents of consequent forensic reports. Results: Among 656 cases, mean age was 13.36 +/- 2.2, 73% (n=479) were men and 27% (n=177) were women. 157 of 656 cases had been evaluated in 2009 and 499 in 2010. Majority of cases were referred to us for examination according to Turkish Criminal Code (T.C.C.) item 31 (77.9%, n: 511) and evaluation of mental health due to sexual abuse (18.3%, n: 120). Among cases referred for examination according to T.C.C item 31, most frequent crime was theft (38%, n: 194) and 71.2% (n=364) of the cases were regarded as having the ability to perceive the legal meaning and consequences of the crime they were involved and in these cases behavioral orientation about the action was also adequately developed. In 70% (n=84) of cases, mental health was affected after sexual abuse and most frequent diagnosis was post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusion: While 157 cases were referred to our clinic via judicial authorities in 2009, the number of cases increased in 2010, reaching 499. It seems that child psychiatrists will have to deal with more forensic reports in time. For this reason, research about documenting forensic reports will contribute to healthy functioning of this process.