scholarly journals Criminal Responsibility Scale: Development and Validation of a Psychometric Tool Structured in Clinical Vignettes for Criminal Responsibility Assessments in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Fernandez Meyer ◽  
Cláudia Cristina Studart Leal ◽  
Alexandre de Almeida Souza Omena ◽  
Katia Mecler ◽  
Alexandre Martins Valença
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Criminal Responsibility ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Medical Institute ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Clinical Vignettes ◽  
Psychometric Tool ◽  
Responsibility Scale

Criminal responsibility assessment is undertaken by psychologists or psychiatrists to assess offenders' legal capacities, which vary among countries or regional legislations. There are two psychometric tools (i.e., checklists) validated for criminal responsibility assessment: the Roger Criminal Responsibility Scale, and the rating scale of criminal responsibility for mentally disordered offenders. Despite the existence of psychometric tools structured in clinical vignettes for evaluating legal capacities, none serve the purpose of assessing criminal responsibility. This study aims to validate a novel psychometric tool structured in vignettes for the assessment of criminal responsibility called the “Criminal Responsibility Scale.” We applied the tool to 88 defendants referred for criminal responsibility assessment in a forensic medical institute in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from December 2017 to December 2018. The validity of the Criminal Responsibility Scale and subscales were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. The two-factor solution proved satisfactory and met the needs for practical application of the tool (Kaiser–Meyer–Oklin = 0.82; p < 0.001). Moreover, the inter-rater reliability was evaluated by comparing the tool's final score with that of the expert's conclusion in each case and was found to be satisfactory (k = 0.667–1.0), with a resulting cutoff point of 30.50 (±2) and a Youden index of 0.509. Hence, the Criminal Responsibility Scale is an effective psychometric tool for assessments of criminal responsibility that may encourage future research in assessments of legal capacity with clinical vignette-based psychometric instruments.

Forensic psychiatry

2019 ◽  
pp. 721-784
Author(s):  
David Semple ◽  
Roger Smyth
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Psychiatry ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Criminal Responsibility ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Court Liaison

Covering the role of the psychiatrist in forensic situations, from participation in the criminal justice system and legal definitions of crime (including homicide, violence, and sexual offences) to the relationship between mental disorders and offending, this chapter addresses secure hospitals and units, police and court liaison, and the role of the prison psychiatry. Legal provisions and how to give evidence in court are described, and an overview of pathways through the criminal health and justice system for mentally disordered offenders is provided. Fitness to plead and criminal responsibility are both explained.

Offenders with Mental Illness in Prison

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Manchak ◽  
Robert D. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Prison Management ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Prison Environment ◽  
Offenders With Mental Illness

This essay describes trends in the number of mentally disordered offenders in prison and the unique challenges posed by them in terms of prison management and service delivery. The essay first explores why persons with mental illnesses are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, then discusses efforts to rehabilitate this population should not take place within the prison environment (and, if they do, what changes in current practices are necessary to adapt to the prison setting). How the challenges posed by mentally ill inmates are managed is also covered, with critical discussions of these strategies. Finally, an analysis of the changes that are needed to improve conditions for inmates with mental illness in prisons is presented, with a description of one promising program for treating these offenders. Suggestions for future research with this population that will help inform and improve prison conditions for offenders with mental illness are also provided.

Bullying behaviours among mentally disordered offenders in a medium secure unit

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-165
Author(s):  
Baldeesh Gakhal ◽  
Sharon Oddie
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Indirect Aggression ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Indirect Bullying ◽  
Secure Unit ◽  
The One

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and prevalence of bullying behaviours and victimisation experiences among mentally disordered offenders within a medium secure unit (MSU). Design/methodology/approach – In all, 35 adult male patients completed the Direct and Indirect Patient behaviour Checklist-Hospital Version (DIPC-H). Findings – Indirect aggression was reported more frequently than direct aggression, although there was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence estimates. The most prevalent DIPC-H categories were the pure victim and not involved categories followed by bully/victim and pure bully. Membership of the pure bully category was predicted by being on a particular ward. Research limitations/implications – Given that the study was a preliminary investigation into the nature and prevalence of bullying behaviours in a MSU, the sample size is limited. Consequently, it is difficult to generalise the findings. It would be useful for future research to focus on differences between levels of security using larger sample sizes to enable a greater understanding of the prevalence of bullying in secure settings and associated factors. Practical implications – Further evidence is provided by the current research that indirect bullying and victimisation behaviours are reported more frequently by patients. The importance of anti-bullying procedures and interventions in secure settings is emphasised and recommendations that can be applied across various forensic settings are described. Better-informed interventions can then be implemented with the aim to manage bullying behaviours in secure settings. The one “pure bully” in the current study was on a rehabilitation ward. This highlights that such behaviours occur on lesser secure wards and serves as an important reminder to ensure that staff do not become complacent. Originality/value – As there is only one published study to date that has focused on bullying behaviours in a MSU, the current study will contribute to the dearth of literature in this area and assist professionals working in secure settings to better understand the nature and prevalence of bullying behaviours among mentally disordered offenders.

Legal frameworks and key concepts regulating diversion and treatment of mentally disordered offenders in european union member states

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 427-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Dressing ◽  
Hans Joachim Salize ◽  
Harvey Gordon
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Criminal Responsibility ◽  
Mentally Ill Offenders ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Member States ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
European Union Member States

AbstractBackgroundThere is only limited research on the various legal regulations governing assessment, placement and treatment of mentally ill offenders in European Union member states (EU-member states).AimsTo provide a structured description and cross-boundary comparison of legal frameworks regulating diversion and treatment of mentally disordered offenders in EU-member states before the extension in May 2004. A special focus is on the concept of criminal responsibility.Methodinformation on legislation and practice concerning the assessment, placement and treatment of mentally ill offenders was gathered by means of a detailed, structured questionnaire which was filled in by national experts.ResultsThe legal regulations relevant for forensic psychiatry in EU-member states are outlined. Definitions of mental disorders given within these acts are introduced and compared with ICD-10 diagnoses. Finally the application of the concept of criminal responsibility by the law and in routine practice is presented.ConclusionLegal frameworks for the processing and placement of mentally disordered offenders varied markedly across EU-member states. Since May 2004 the European Union has expanded to 25 member states and in January 2007 it will reach 27. With increasing mobility across Europe, the need for increasing trans-national co-operation is becoming apparent in which great variation in legal tradition pertains.

Outpatient psychotherapeutic approaches with mentally disordered offenders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cleo Van Velsen ◽  
Kingsley Norton
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Treatment Service ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Clinical Vignettes

In the last 30 years, there has been an upsurge of interest in developing and refining psychological approaches to the treatment and management of offenders. This chapter focuses on outpatient interventions with those identified as suffering from forensic personality disorder. The potential range of treatments is vast; therefore, we examine general treatment principles. We describe the concept of forensic personality disorder and outline theoretical and evidence-based approaches to aetiology and therapy. Attention is paid to the establishment and maintenance of a therapeutic alliance, including the importance of boundaries, which can easily become distorted. Offender patients are usually seen in the context of the criminal justice system and risk, which means understanding the balance between confidentiality and information sharing. The effect on individuals and teams and the need to explore disagreements and conflicts in the treatment service are highlighted. Clinical vignettes are included to illustrate the concepts described.

Comparison of Frenotomy Techniques for the Treatment of Ankyloglossia in Children: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 428-443
Author(s):  
Usman Khan ◽  
Jake MacPherson ◽  
Michael Bezuhly ◽  
Paul Hong
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Numeric Rating Scale ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Comprehensive Search ◽  
High Level ◽  
Numeric Rating

Objective To compare the effectiveness of conventional (CF), laser (LF), and Z-plasty (ZF) frenotomies for the treatment of ankyloglossia in the pediatric population. Data Sources A comprehensive search of PUBMED, EMBASE, and COCHRANE databases was performed. Review Methods Relevant articles were independently assessed by 2 reviewers according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Results Thirty-five articles assessing CF (27 articles), LF (4 articles), ZF (3 articles), and/or rhomboid plasty frenotomy (1 article) were included. A high level of outcome heterogeneity prevented pooling of data. All 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were of low quality. Both CF (5 articles with 589 patients) and LF (2 articles with 78 patients) were independently shown to reduce maternal nipple pain on a visual analog or numeric rating scale. There were reports of improvement with breastfeeding outcomes as assessed on validated assessment tools for 88% (7/8) of CF articles (588 patients) and 2 LF articles (78 patients). ZF improved breastfeeding outcomes on subjective maternal reports (1 article with 18 infants) only. One RCT with a high risk of bias concluded greater speech articulation improvements with ZF compared to CF. Only minor adverse events were reported for all frenotomy techniques. Conclusions Current literature does not demonstrate a clear advantage for one frenotomy technique when managing children with ankyloglossia. Recommendations for future research are provided to overcome the methodological shortcomings in the literature. We conclude that all frenotomy techniques are safe and effective for treating symptomatic ankyloglossia.

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