Medicina

Journal of Medicine and Life Vol. 4, No.1, January‐March 2011, pp.21‐29  

Statistical Association Criteria in Forensic Psychiatry A criminological evaluation of casuistry
Costea G*, Gheorghiu V*, Buda O*, Popescu I*, Trandafir MS** * “Mina Minovici” National Institute of Legal Medicine, Bucharest, Romania ** “Alexandru Obregia” Psychiatric Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
Correspondence to:Costea Gabriela, MD, PhD “Mina Minovici” National Institute of Legal Medicine, 9 Vitan Birzesti Street, District 4, 042122, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 332 1217, E-mail: gabiana@rdslink.ro Received: September 8th, 2010 – Accepted: January 23rd, 2011

Abstract
Purpose. Identification of potential shared primary psychoprophylaxis and crime prevention is measured by analyzing the rate ofcommitments for patients-subjects to forensic examination. Material and method. The statistic trial is a retrospective, document-based study. The statistical lot consists of 770 initial examination reports performed and completed during the whole year 2007, primarily analyzed in order to summarize the data within the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Bucharest, Romania (INML), with one of thegroup variables being “particularities of the psychiatric patient history”, containing the items “forensic onset”, “commitments within the last year prior to the examination” and “absence of commitments within the last year prior to the examination”. The method used was the Kendall bivariate correlation. For this study, the authors separately analyze only the two items regarding commitments by othercorrelation alternatives and by modern, elaborate statistical analyses, i.e. recording of the standard case study variables, Kendall bivariate correlation, cross tabulation, factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results. The results are varied, from theoretically presumed clinical nosography (such as schizophrenia or manic depression), to non-presumed (conduct disorders) or unexpectedbehavioral acts, and therefore difficult to interpret. Conclusions. One took into consideration the features of the batch as well as the results of the previous standard correlation of the whole statistical lot. The authors emphasize the role of medical security measures that are actually applied in the therapeutic management in general and in risk and second offence management in particular, aswell as the role of forensic psychiatric examinations in the detection of certain aspects related to the monitoring of mental patients. Key words: Antisocial behavior potential, Therapy and Risk management, Forensic assessment.

Ref
The forensic issues related to crime and psychiatric pathology generate controversies but also lead to discussions about the shortage of inter-departmentalcooperation as well as difficulties to initiate and support prevention and psychoprophylaxis programs. Similarly, both detection and monitoring/follow-up of mental patients are difficult to evaluate, because one cannot ignore the will of the patient who usually refuses any psychiatric help and assistance. Thus, it becomes extremely difficult to address the antisocial potential of mental patients and ofpatients without mental disorders, implying considerable logistic and conceptual efforts [1,2]. The legal provisions regarding compulsory treatment continue to be the only means by which we can ensure proper therapeutic management in a limited group of patients with antisocial potential [3,4].

Objectives
This study proposes to emphasize the role that forensic medicine has, through forensicpsychiatric examinations, in the detection of phenomena and identification of risk factors of criminal behavior, especially the violent one, and to highlight the need for an actual enforcement of legal provisions regarding compulsory treatment [5,6].

Material and Method
A statistical case analysis was performed within “Mina Minovici” INML, focusing on primary forensic psychiatric examination, in...