Original scientific paper
Forensic Psychiatric Evaluation of Persons with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Undergoing Criminal Trial
Tija Žarković Palijan
Marina Kovač
Dražen Kovačević
Sanja Hrastić
Marjeta Knez Turčinović
Abstract
The aim of our study was to determine if there is a difference between the type of crime committed by persons diagnosed
with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that committed by other offenders. The study included 389 male
patients at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry in Popovaca who underwent forensic psychiatric evaluation to establish
a psychiatric diagnosis, evaluate the mental capacity, and provide advice on further treatment. The data on the number
of individuals with PTSD vs. other psychiatric disorders and the data on family violence vs. other criminal acts were
analyzed with c² test. Of a total of 389 forensically evaluated male patients, 45 (11.6%) suffered from PTSD. Study subjects
with PTSD only or PTSD comorbid with the other psychiatric disorders committed family violence significantly
more often than subjects diagnosed with the other psychiatric disorders c²1=40.092, P<0.001. Subjects with PTSD,
whether or not comorbid with the other psychiatric disorders, committed family violence significantly more often than
subjects with other psychiatric diagnoses.
Keywords
criminal acts; family violence; forensic psychiatric evaluation; mental capacity; posttraumatic stress disorder
Hrčak ID:
26979
URI
Publication date:
3.12.2007.
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