Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi (Apr 2014)
One-Year Retrospective Analysis of Forensic Cases Referred to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic in the Province of Adiyaman
Abstract
Purpose: This study’s aim is to investigate child and adolescent cases referred for forensic examination to our child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic. Material and Methods: File informations of 121 cases who referred to Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital, child psychiatry clinic between 01 June 2012 and 31 May 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Socio-demographic characteristics of the children and reasons for referral determined. The study was focused on delinquent children (n=80) and victims of sexual abuse (n=31) that made up the vast majority of forensic cases. Results: The mean age of the delinquent children was 13.72 ± 0.94, 93.8% were male (n = 75), 63.9% continued to primary education and 93.7% lived in the city center. The most frequent crime was theft (37.5%, n=30) and 75% of the cases were reported to be having the ability developed enough to perceive the legal meaning and consequences of the crime and to direct his/her behaviours related with this crime. Of 31 sexually abused cases, 71 % were girls and 65.6% of the cases, mental health were affected after exposure to sexual abuse. Conclusion: It is necessary to identify the factors that increase susceptibility to commit a crime in the increasing number of delinquent children and measures must be taken for these issues. Follow-up and treatment of victims of sexual abuse must continue in child psychiatry outpatient clinics. It is important to take precautions against mental illness that may arise in the future. Key words: Sexual abuse, child psychiatry, delinquent children [Cukurova Med J 2014; 39(2.000): 280-289]
