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1.
Int J Law Psychiatry ; 95: 102006, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38972086

ABSTRACT

Following the French law n° 98-468 of 17 June 1998 relative to the prevention of sexual offenses and the protection of minors, social and judicial follow-up and court-ordered treatment were introduced with the aim of reinforcing the prevention of recidivism. Court-ordered treatment is one of the possible obligatory measures provided for by social and judicial follow-up. However, there is no consensus between the different professionals concerning the criteria of indication and the final purpose of this measure. Most of the few available studies are retrospective. Only rare studies have assessed the influence of criminological factors on the indication of court-ordered treatment. We carried out a nation-wide qualitative comparative study in two populations, psychiatric experts and sentencing judges, by means of e-mail questionnaires. The aim was to determine the criteria for court-ordered treatment according to psychiatric experts and to sentencing judges, to identify the criteria that gave rise to differences in appreciation between these professionals, and to attempt to explain these differences. The secondary aim of the study was to determine the methods and tools used in expert practice to evaluate dangerousness and risk of recidivism. We obtained 20 responses in each of the two populations. The great majority of psychiatric experts and sentencing judges considered that court-ordered treatment was appropriate when the offender presented with psychiatric dangerousness, and so with an underlying mental disorder. When a subject had no identified mental disorder, the psychiatrists were divided in their opinion, whereas the majority of sentencing judges were in favor of court-ordered treatment. Opinions differed particularly significantly between the two populations in four circumstances: a subject with an antisocial/psychopathic personality disorder, a subject who denied the alleged acts, the influence of precarious social circumstances and the influence of instability in intimate relationships. The majority of experts used international classifications (DSM-5 and ICD-10) as a basis for their psychiatric diagnosis. Just under half of those surveyed used structured or semi-structured interview guides and only a few stated that they used standardized actuarial tools to assess risk of recidivism. The concepts of care, dangerousness and mental disorder are associated with multiple representations that certainly play a part in the disagreements between the different professionals. It is of prime importance to define these concepts more clearly in order to encourage the use of a common language and to clarify the indications and purpose of court-ordered treatment. We also hypothesize that disagreements between professionals regarding the criteria for court-ordered treatment may be related to certain difficulties raised by the management of the convicted person. The development of guidelines that could be used by all professionals would help to reduce some of these difficulties. Psychiatric experts remain attached to clinical evaluation. Their limited use of assessment tools may relate to the material constraints and time constraints involved. The issue at stake in court-ordered treatment and social and judicial follow-up is to promote cooperation between the various professionals by creating a space for exchange of ideas where the fundamental questions raised by these measures can be discussed, fears shared and knowledge pooled.


Subject(s)
Forensic Psychiatry , Humans , France , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Mental Disorders/therapy , Mental Disorders/psychology , Expert Testimony/legislation & jurisprudence , Recidivism/prevention & control , Recidivism/legislation & jurisprudence , Dangerous Behavior , Male , Female , Commitment of Mentally Ill/legislation & jurisprudence , Adult
2.
Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol ; 73(4): 325-335, 2023.
Article in English, Polish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38662484

ABSTRACT

This publication reveals the origins of forensic psychiatry in tsarist Russia during a selected historical period. The article reveals the first forensic and medical examinations of the mental state of defendants, as well as the first major legal regulations in this area. The issue of the participation of a medical expert (usually physicians) as an expert witness in court proceedings in the examination of the mental state is discussed from legal and historical, as well as historical and medical aspects.


Subject(s)
Autopsy , Expert Testimony , Forensic Psychiatry , Humans , Poland , Expert Testimony/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Forensic Medicine/legislation & jurisprudence , Male , Postmortem Imaging
3.
Riv Psichiatr ; 55(6): 15-19, 2020.
Article in Italian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33349718

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Residential Services for the Execution of Security Measures (REMS) are specialist psychiatric units for forensic patients created in 2015 after OPG (Italian Security Psychiatric Forensic Hospitals) have been closed. AIMS: to describe the clinical, diagnostic and forensic features of patients and evaluate the relevance of 3 elements: use of alcohol and substance, antisociality, cognitive disability. A further aim is the evaluation of the level of pre and post admission diagnostic concordance. METHODS: A specific database has been set for the purpose of the study, which collects data of patients admitted in 5 years of activity of the unit. Data have been analysed through a descriptive approach. RESULTS: 4 main clusters have been identified: Psychosis, Use of Alcohol/Substance Disorder, Personality Disorder, Cognitive Disability. Alcohol/substance use, antisociality, cognitive disability elements are relevant in the sample. Diagnostic concordance level pre- and post- admission is overall good, sometimes partial. CONCLUSIONS: alcohol/substance use, antisociality and cognitive disability, often in comorbidity mode, represent core features in part of the sample. This finding emphasizes a complexity level which is linked to social and judicial aspects, in addition to the health component.


Subject(s)
Antisocial Personality Disorder/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology , Residential Facilities , Security Measures/legislation & jurisprudence , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alcohol-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Databases, Factual , Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)/statistics & numerical data , Female , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Facility Closure , Hospitals, Psychiatric , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Admission/statistics & numerical data , Residential Facilities/legislation & jurisprudence , Residential Facilities/organization & administration , Retrospective Studies , Schizophrenia/epidemiology , Time Factors , Young Adult
4.
Psychiatr Pol ; 54(3): 553-570, 2020 Jun 30.
Article in English, Polish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33038887

ABSTRACT

The article discusses the key aspects of the guidance of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) on forensic psychiatry and the required actions to implement guidance into clinical practice. The authors pay attention to the discrepancies between the recommendations resulting from the guidance and clinical practice and current systemic solutions. The basic difficulties were discussed in relation to the implementation of the guidelines in the clinical practice in Poland as regards providing services as an expert by psychiatrists and psychologists, risk assessment and management, psychiatric therapy in detention centers, implementation of protection measures in inpatient and outpatient treatment conditions, efficiency of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. We hope that discussing the content of the guidance will help to deepen the knowledge of clinicians in the field of work as court expert witnesses and persons responsible for the implementation of the preventive measure. Based on the clinical experience measures were proposed that enable implementation of the guidance, and thus improvement of the quality of care exercised over the mentally ill criminal offenders.


Subject(s)
Commitment of Mentally Ill/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Mental Disorders/therapy , Advisory Committees , Commitment of Mentally Ill/standards , Criminal Law/standards , Expert Testimony/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/standards , Humans , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Poland
5.
Int J Law Psychiatry ; 71: 101595, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32768117

ABSTRACT

Due to the present COVID-19 pandemic, forensic mental telehealth assessment (FMTA) is an increasingly utilized means of conducting court-sanctioned psychiatric and psychological evaluations. FMTA is not a novel development, and studies have been published during the past two decades that opine on the positive and negative implications of conducting testing and interview procedures online, in forensic and traditionally clinical matters alike. The present article examines prospects for eventual legal challenges to FMTA, describes considerations for conducting FMTA in both institutional and residential settings, and concludes that FMTA is now-due to predicted accommodations on the part of courts, attorneys, institutions, and professional guilds-a permanent part of the forensic evaluation landscape, even once the present COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.


Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Telemedicine/legislation & jurisprudence , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Expert Testimony/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2
6.
Psychiatriki ; 31(1): 13-22, 2020.
Article in Greek | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32544073

ABSTRACT

According to the Explanatory Memorandum of the law 4509/2017, a significant change is being made to the current institutional framework of Articles 69 and 70 of the ECHR concerning the penal treatment of mentally ill offenders, in order to ensure a high level of treatment for perpetrators with mental or intellectual disorder. In application of the law, it was examined in court the abolishment, maintenance or replacement of the treatment measure of 47 patients from the Department of Forensic Psychiatry in Thessaloniki. The results were compared with the previous status quo. In 22 cases, abolishment was ordered for the patients to be discharged and return to their parent's home or to Psychosocial Rehabilitation Units. In 11 of them, their stay was in direct violation of the law due to exceeding the cap as defined by the severity of the offense. However, 7 patients remain voluntarily in the Department, as no beds are available in reintegration structures. 13 patients who have committed homicide remain with the psychiatrist's agreement beyond the overrunning the ten years of treatment due to the severity of the disease or the risk for violent behavior. The Public Prosecutor has provided solutions in many cases and has appointed lawyers for all patients as prescribed by law. However, the judiciary remains cautious and the trend towards exhaustion of the limits is clear, despite the fact that their fears are not confirmed by international bibliographic data. The application of N 4509/2017 attempts to change the landscape for this particular group of patients and allows visions for de-institutionalization, elimination of the stigma and personalized treatment, despite any ambiguities or potential problems that may arise. However, as the predominant social viewpoint, shown by the media, treats the mentally ill as dangerous, any positive changes are doomed to fail. In addition, it is necessary to develop psychiatric services for the treatment of patients which will not only treat psychotic symptoms but also antisocial and aggressive behavior in general.


Subject(s)
Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Plan Implementation/legislation & jurisprudence , Hospitals, Psychiatric/legislation & jurisprudence , Mentally Ill Persons/legislation & jurisprudence , Prisoners/legislation & jurisprudence , Psychiatric Department, Hospital/legislation & jurisprudence , Deinstitutionalization/legislation & jurisprudence , Greece , Humans , Length of Stay/legislation & jurisprudence , Precision Medicine , Social Stigma
7.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law ; 48(3): 384-392, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32404362

ABSTRACT

Sarah Jane Whiteling was accused of fatally poisoning her husband and two children in Philadelphia in 1888. The case prompted public outrage over the appearance that Ms. Whiteling's motive was to collect life insurance. It was evident, however, that she was disturbed, raising a question of culpability. Dr. Alice Bennett, the first female physician in charge of an asylum, provided the defense with expert testimony on the defendant's mental state. Dr. Bennett, who had little forensic but much clinical experience, proposed a physiological theory of insanity among women with reproduction-related derangements. At that time, cultural ideas about "female poisoners" colored popular and journalistic perceptions of Ms. Whiteling. Familicide was considered unconscionable because a mother's duty was to nurture and protect her family. When Ms. Whiteling was convicted and sentenced to death, Dr. Bennett undertook a campaign for commutation. Her unsuccessful efforts to reduce culpability were followed by Ms. Whiteling's hanging in 1889, the first execution of a woman in Philadelphia since colonial times. This article recounts the Whiteling case, Dr. Bennett's involvement in it, and how it relates to what is known about familicide. It is argued here that Dr. Bennett was a pioneer in applying medical expert testimony to effect individualized mitigation.


Subject(s)
Arsenic Poisoning/psychology , Family , Forensic Medicine/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Homicide/legislation & jurisprudence , Adult , Arsenic Poisoning/history , Capital Punishment/legislation & jurisprudence , Expert Testimony , Female , Forensic Medicine/history , Forensic Psychiatry/history , History, 19th Century , Homicide/history , Humans , Insanity Defense , Menstrual Cycle/psychology , Philadelphia , Reproductive Physiological Phenomena
8.
Psychiatr Pol ; 54(1): 153-162, 2020 Feb 29.
Article in English, Polish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32447363

ABSTRACT

There are two types of proceedings before common courts for annulment of marriages during which expert psychiatrists are appointed. In the first type, the key task of the expert is to assess whether the presence of mental illness or mental retardation at the date of the marriage could possibly pose a threat to the marriage or health of future offspring. The expert performs a retrospective assessment not only of the course and severity of psychiatric disorders strictly distinguished by the legislator, but also their impact on the social functioning of a given person. In the second type of proceedings, marriage annulment is possible when the declaration of conclusion of a marriage was made by a prospective spouse who for whatever reason was in the state that excluded conscious expression of will. The task of the expert in this case is to assess the ability to perform a specific legal act. The aim of the analysis was to discuss problematic and unclear legal formulations concerning marriage annulment, which pose difficulties to psychiatrists and cause that sometimes opinions should only be prepared with a certain probability. Itis particularly troublesome to assess the impactof parent's mental dysfunctions on the health of future offspring. An additional element hindering the forensic and psychiatric evaluation is an analysis of the influence of the environment (including attitudes and behaviours of a healthy spouse) on the picture and the course of mental disorders of an ill or handicapped prospective spouse.


Subject(s)
Divorce/legislation & jurisprudence , Marriage/legislation & jurisprudence , Mental Competency/legislation & jurisprudence , Mental Health/legislation & jurisprudence , Mentally Ill Persons/legislation & jurisprudence , Disability Evaluation , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans
9.
Psychiatr Pol ; 54(1): 163-175, 2020 Feb 29.
Article in English, Polish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32447364

ABSTRACT

Episcopal courts adjudicate in proceedings for declaring a marriage void and in these cases psychiatrists and psychologists are appointed as experts. Expert judgment requires the expert to follow a specific substantive approach when preparing the expertise, as well as knowledge of canon legal provisions. Canon law makes validity of a relationship dependent on fulfilment of premises of a valid marriage at the time of the marriage, thus accepting the possibility of an invalid marriage. The so-called consensual and indirectly mental incapacity to marry is dealt with in canon 1,095, which says that the following are incapable of contracting marriage: (1) those who lack the sufficient use of reason; (2) those who suffer from a grave defect of discretion of judgment concerning the essential matrimonial rights and duties mutually to be handed over and accepted; and (3) those who are not able to assume the essential obligations of marriage for causes of a psychic nature. Episcopal courts use terminology that is not found in psychiatry or clinical psychology. However, specific psychopathological conditions stand behind specific formulations in the Code, and they should be taken into account by experts in their analyzes. In proceedings before common courts, only mental illness and mental retardation are taken into account, and no specific disorders are mentioned in Church legislation, which means that experts must consider a wide range of mental dysfunctions in their assessments.


Subject(s)
Divorce/legislation & jurisprudence , Marriage/legislation & jurisprudence , Mental Competency/legislation & jurisprudence , Mental Health/legislation & jurisprudence , Mentally Ill Persons/legislation & jurisprudence , Disability Evaluation , Expert Testimony/legislation & jurisprudence , Female , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Poland
10.
Psychiatr Serv ; 71(4): 409-411, 2020 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32233771

ABSTRACT

People being held in jails and prisons are entitled under the U.S. Constitution to necessary medical care, including mental health care. Whether such a duty includes planning for care after release has been less clear, despite widespread professional recognition of discharge planning as an integral component of correctional mental health treatment. A recent decision of a federal court of appeals considered the constitutional status of discharge planning for people detained in correctional facilities. The court concluded that a failure to offer discharge planning in the face of serious medical needs is an adequate basis for finding a constitutional violation.


Subject(s)
Correctional Facilities/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Mentally Ill Persons/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Discharge/legislation & jurisprudence , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychotic Disorders/drug therapy , United States
11.
Clin Ter ; 171(2): e97-e100, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32141478

ABSTRACT

The Italian Law n. 9/2012 provided the Italian Regions with a new decisional role by demanding the management/rehabilitation of prisoners judged as partially/fully mentally ill to care and protection delivered by the psychiatric services of the Regional Health Service. Healthcare has to be guaranteed by the so-called High-Security Forensic Psychiatry Residences (Italian: Residenze per l'Esecuzione delle Misure di Sicurezza: REMS) and by community mental health centres. Ensuring patients' and professionals' health and safety is a complex issue which requires effective strategies to cope with several structural, technological, and organisational problems. The present paper summarises the historical evolution of the Italian laws towards the development of the High-Security Forensic Psychiatry Residences in Italy, focusing specifically on the Tuscany Region situation. The paper also presents the key issues emerging after the implementation of the Law 81/2014 which complemented the Law 9/2012. Since these reforms included the need for assessing to what extent the patient may be considered as a danger to society and for ensuring the safety of National Health Service (NHS) professionals, they underscored the importance of a preventive use of specific clinical governance tools aimed to reduce risk of adverse events. The present work has the strength of proposing a new, evidence-based scientific approach to the implementation of assessment and care pathways in High-Security Forensic Psychiatry Residences.


Subject(s)
Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Personnel , Prisoners , Security Measures , Forensic Psychiatry/history , History, 21st Century , Hospitals, Psychiatric , Housing , Humans , Italy , Risk Management
12.
Psychiatr Pol ; 54(6): 1181-1194, 2020 Dec 31.
Article in English, Polish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33740804

ABSTRACT

The paper presents an analysis of possibilities of performing recidivism risk assessment under the Act of 22 November 2013 on the treatment of people with mental disorders posing a threat to life, health or sexual freedom of others. The Act allows, among others, the post-penitentiary isolation of persons posing a threat. The risk assessment at "very high" level is one of the key elements taken into account in adjudication of this procedure.The first part presents basic information on the recidivism risk assessment procedure: types of risk factors and different approaches to recidivism risk assessment. Then, three main limitations related to the assessment under the Act were discussed. These are: (1) the problem of the scope of the predicted events, (2) the problem of differentiation between the upper sub-categories of recidivism risk, (3) the problem of the lack of full Polish adaptations of recidivism risk assessment instruments. In consequence of these limitations, the risk assessment under the Act has lower precision. The problem of the lack of Polish adaptations can be solved with validation of the appropriate instruments. However, the other two challenges result directly from the provisions of the Act and cannot be faced with its current form. Therefore main conclusion of the paper focuses on the need to take into account the discussed limitations by experts, officials participating in the proceedings and the institutions issuing decisions. Risk assessment should be based on the measurement of all types of recidivism risk factors, including primarily static and then stable dynamic ones.


Subject(s)
Criminals/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Recidivism/legislation & jurisprudence , Adult , Health Policy/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Male , Poland , Recidivism/prevention & control , Registries , Risk Assessment
13.
CNS Spectr ; 25(2): 119-121, 2020 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31587677

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the development of forensic psychiatry and mental health services in Australia for the international reader. It covers the legacy of a series of colonial systems that have contributed to a modern health service that interacts with justice systems. The development of relevant legislation, hospitals, prison services, community, and courts services is reviewed. The training and academic development of professionals is covered. Gaps in service delivery and future directions are considered.


Subject(s)
Forensic Psychiatry/standards , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Health/statistics & numerical data , Australia , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/statistics & numerical data , Humans
14.
Transl Psychiatry ; 9(1): 278, 2019 11 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31699969

ABSTRACT

Insanity definition and the threshold for satisfying its legal criteria tend to vary depending on the jurisdictions. Yet, in Western countries, the legal standards for insanity often rely on the presence of cognitive and/or volitional impairment of the defendant at crime time. Despite some efforts having been made to guide and structure criminal responsibility evaluations, a valid instrument that could be useful to guide forensic psychiatrists' criminal responsibility assessments in different jurisdictions is lacking. This is a gap that needs to be addressed, considering the significant forensic and procedural implications of psychiatric evaluations. In addition, differences in methodology used in insanity assessments may also have consequences for the principle of equal rights for all citizens before the law, which should be guaranteed in the European Union. We developed an instrument, the Defendant's Insanity Assessment Support Scale (DIASS), which can be useful to support, structure, and guide the insanity assessment across different jurisdictions, in order to improve reliability and consistency of such evaluations.


Subject(s)
Criminals/legislation & jurisprudence , Decision Support Techniques , Insanity Defense , Mental Competency/legislation & jurisprudence , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Mental Disorders/psychology
15.
Int J Law Psychiatry ; 66: 101456, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31706389

ABSTRACT

This paper examines how the symptomology of the small number of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) charged with online sexual offenses in Australia is established during legal arguments and conceived by the judiciary to impact legal liability and offending behavior. This study aims to provide empirical support for the proposition that judicial discourses regarding the connection between ASD and online sexual offending, including conduct related to child exploitation material (CEM), have little bearing on overall questions of criminal liability or the use of alternative penal dispositions. It does so by exploring a sample of nine recent Australian criminal cases, involving ten rulings, that examine how evidence of ASD is raised in legal arguments in ways that suggest a diagnosed condition may have contributed significantly to the alleged wrongdoing. We conclude by suggesting current Australian judicial practice requires more sensitivity to the impact of clinical factors associated with ASD in shaping alternative supervisory and non-custodial dispositions for individuals convicted of online sexual offenses.


Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology , Criminals/legislation & jurisprudence , Criminals/psychology , Sex Offenses/legislation & jurisprudence , Sex Offenses/psychology , Australia , Criminal Behavior , Criminal Psychology/legislation & jurisprudence , Erotica/psychology , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Internet
16.
Int J Law Psychiatry ; 66: 101473, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31706393

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Forensic psychiatric practices and provisions vary considerably across jurisdictions. The diversity provides the possibility to compare forensic psychiatric practices, as we will do in this paper regarding Italy and the Netherlands. AIM: We aim to perform a theoretical analysis of legislations dealing with the forensic psychiatric evaluation of defendants, including legal insanity and the management of mentally ill offenders deemed insane. This research is carried out not only to identify similarities and differences regarding the assessment of mentally ill offenders in Italy and the Netherlands, but, in addition, to identify strengths and weaknesses of the legislation and procedures used for the evaluation of the mentally ill offenders in the two countries. RESULTS: Italy and the Netherlands share some basic characteristics of their criminal law systems. Yet, forensic psychiatric practices differ significantly, even if we consider only evaluations of defendants. A strong point of Italy concerns its test for legal insanity which defines the legal norm and enables a straightforward communication between the experts and the judges on this crucial matter. A strong point of the Netherlands concerns more standardized practices including guidelines and the use of risk assessment tools, which enable better comparisons and scientific research in this area. CONCLUSIONS: We argue that there appears to be room for improvement on both sides with regards to the evaluation of mentally ill offenders. More generally, a transnational approach to these issues, as applied in this paper, could help to advance forensic psychiatric services in different legal systems.


Subject(s)
Criminals/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/methods , Risk Assessment/methods , Humans , Insanity Defense , Italy , Netherlands , Recidivism/legislation & jurisprudence
17.
J Sex Med ; 16(10): 1623-1637, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31515198

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization (WHO) has made substantial changes to the classification of paraphilic disorders for the Eleventh Revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), recently approved by the World Health Assembly. The most important is to limit paraphilic disorders primarily to persistent and intense patterns of atypical sexual arousal involving non-consenting individuals, manifested through persistent sexual thoughts, fantasies, urges, or behaviors, that have resulted in action or significant distress. AIM: To analyze the legal, regulatory, and policy implications of the changes in the ICD-11 classification of paraphilic disorders for forensic practice, health systems, adjudication of sex offenders, and the provision of treatment in Mexico. METHODS: An expert Mexican advisory group was appointed to conduct this evaluation following an assessment guide provided by the WHO. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The WHO assessment guide covered (i) laws related to sexual behaviors; (ii) the relationship between legal and clinical issues for non-forensic health professionals; (iii) implications of mental disorder classification for forensic practice; (iv) other implications of ICD-11 paraphilic disorders proposals; and (v) contextual issues. RESULTS: A variety of factors in Mexico make it highly unlikely that appropriate, evidence-based treatments for paraphilic disorders will be provided to those who need them, even if they seek treatment voluntarily and have not committed a crime. Mexican law focuses on the punishment of specific sexual behaviors rather than on underlying disorders. A paraphilic disorder would not be considered sufficient grounds for exemption from criminal responsibility. The application and scope of mental health evaluations in Mexican legal proceedings are quite limited, and individuals who commit sexual crimes almost never undergo forensic evaluations to establish the presence of paraphilic disorders. Psychiatric services may be mandated for sex offenders in highly specific circumstances but cannot exceed the duration of the criminal sentence. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Evaluation and treatment guidelines should be developed based on international evidence and standards and promulgated for use with individuals with paraphilic disorders in forensic and non-forensic poopulations. The much greater specificity and operationalization of the ICD-11 guidelines as compared with the ICD-10 guidelines provide a better basis for identification and case formulation. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Major strengths of this analyses were that it was conducted to facilitate international comparability across several participating countries and the fact that it was conducted by a diverse multidisciplinary group representing various relevant legal, forensic and and clinical sectors. A limitation was that it was only possible to examine relevant federal laws and those of Mexico City rather than those of all 32 Mexican states. CONCLUSION: The descriptions of paraphilic disorders in the ICD-11 could support substantial improvements in the treatment of individuals with paraphilic disorders and the adjudication of sex offenders in Mexico, but specific changes in Mexican law would be required. Martínez-López JNI, Robles R, Fresán A, et al. Legal and Policy Implications in Mexico of Changes in ICD-11 Paraphilic Disorders. J Sex Med 2019;16:1623-1637.


Subject(s)
Criminal Law/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Paraphilic Disorders/diagnosis , Sex Offenses/legislation & jurisprudence , Criminals/legislation & jurisprudence , Female , Humans , International Classification of Diseases , Male , Mental Disorders , Mexico , Paraphilic Disorders/psychology , Sexual Behavior/psychology
18.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law ; 47(4): 486-492, 2019 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31533993

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the history of the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings on intellectual disability in capital cases, highlighting the difficulty states have had in devising a workable definition that meets constitutional standards. The Court's decisions in Penry v. Lynaugh (1989), Atkins v. Virginia (2002), and Hall v. Florida (2014) are briefly summarized. Next, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' ruling in Ex parte Briseno (2004) is discussed as a prelude to the Supreme Court's decision in Moore v. Texas I (2017). On remand, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals interpreted the Supreme Court's Moore I ruling in a manner that resulted in finding Mr. Moore intellectually able, and therefore eligible for the death penalty, in Ex parte Moore II (2018). Finally, the importance of the Supreme Court's most recent ruling on intellectual disability in capital cases, Moore v. Texas II (2019), is explored in depth. The article concludes with recommendations for best practices among forensic evaluators who assess capital defendants for intellectual disability.


Subject(s)
Capital Punishment/legislation & jurisprudence , Intellectual Disability , Supreme Court Decisions , Adult , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Male , United States
19.
Hist Psychiatry ; 30(4): 457-468, 2019 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31366245

ABSTRACT

This article revisits the notorious trial of William Windham, a wealthy young man accused of lunacy. The trial in 1861-2 saw the country's foremost experts on psychological medicine very publicly debate the concepts, symptoms and diagnosis of insanity. I begin by surveying the trial and the testimonies of medical experts. Their disparate assessments of Windham evoked heated reactions in the press and Parliament; these reactions are the focus of the second section. I then proceed to examine criticism of psychiatry in the newspapers more generally in the 1860s, outlining the political resistance to psychiatry and the responses of some leading psychiatrists. In conclusion, I consider what this says about the politics of medicalization at the time.


Subject(s)
Famous Persons , Forensic Psychiatry/history , Intellectual Disability/history , Mental Disorders/history , Diagnosis, Differential , Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , History, 19th Century , Humans , Intellectual Disability/diagnosis , Male , Medicalization/history , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Politics , Psychiatry/history , United Kingdom
20.
J Sex Med ; 16(10): 1615-1622, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31447381

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Recently the guidelines for the diagnosis of paraphilic disorders in the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11), have been published. AIM: This article analyzes legal, regulatory, and policy issues relevant to the potential effects of the changes for the classification of paraphilic disorders in the ICD-11 in Germany. METHODS: A forensic and a legal expert in Germany worked with other international experts to conduct this evaluation using an assessment guide provided by the World Health Organization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Possible effects of the changes for the classification of paraphilic disorders in the ICD-11 on forensic practice, health systems, adjudication of individuals who have committed a sexual offense, and the provision of treatment in Germany. RESULTS: Results highlight the special situation of medical confidentiality in the German health system that facilitates the establishment of preventive networks for the treatment of pedophilic patients. The ICD-11 guidelines will help to clarify the boundary between pedophilic disorder and crimes of child sexual abuse. These will also establish a boundary with other paraphilic diagnostic concepts. We describe the central construct of criminal responsibility in the German legal system in relation to paraphilic disorders, the prominent role of expert witnesses, and the differences in the conceptualization of medical confidentiality within the health care system and within the legal system. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The ICD-11 proposals for paraphilic disorders provide a clearer differentiation, as compared with ICD-10, between variants of normal sexual behavior and sexual behavior that involves a non-consenting person or entity. Particular patterns of sexual preference that are not of relevance to public health, the health care system, or the legal system, such as masochism and fetishism, will no longer be named psychiatric entities and will, therefore, be regarded as private behaviors and destigmatized. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The assessment shows the specific legal situation in Germany for the treatment of paraphilic patients in a sexual medicine, psychiatric, and legal discourse. However, it was done only by a small number of experts. CONCLUSION: A conclusion of the analysis was that the more specific and narrower definitions in the ICD-11 diagnostic guidelines, compared with those in ICD-10, particularly for pedophilic disorder and coercive sexual sadism disorder, will result in a reduction in false-positive diagnoses. It is unlikely that significant unintended and negative consequences will occur as a result of implementing the ICD-11 guidelines for paraphilic disorders. Briken P, Boetticher A, Krueger RB, et al. Current Legal Situation for Patients with Paraphilic disorders and Implications of the ICD-11 for Paraphilic Disorders for Germany. J Sex Med 2019;16:1615-1622.


Subject(s)
Forensic Psychiatry/legislation & jurisprudence , Paraphilic Disorders/diagnosis , Adult , Child , Child Abuse, Sexual/diagnosis , Child Abuse, Sexual/legislation & jurisprudence , Child Abuse, Sexual/psychology , Criminals/legislation & jurisprudence , Fetishism, Psychiatric/diagnosis , Fetishism, Psychiatric/psychology , Germany , Humans , International Classification of Diseases , Masochism/diagnosis , Masochism/psychology , Paraphilic Disorders/psychology , Sadism/diagnosis , Sadism/psychology , Sex Offenses/legislation & jurisprudence , Sex Offenses/psychology , Sexual Behavior/psychology
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