A three month prospective and four month retrospective study of "observation patients" admitted to Sterkfontein hospital for forensic evaluation. A comaparison of criminal charge with eventual a psychiatric diagnosis. The contribution of special investigations toward a diagnosis
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Date
1992
Authors
Wessels, Hermanus Arnoldus
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Abstract
Ninety-one patients referred for observation were evaluated by means of a data
sheet which covered demographic, forensic and psychiatric data, as well as special
investigations performed during the admission period. A significant number of
patients (P = 0,005) involved in crimes of theft were found to be psychotic. A
significant number of patients (P = 0,(24) involved in murder/attempted
murder/culpable homicide were found to be apsychotic. None of the special
investigations had a significant bearing on the diagnosis or legal destiny of the
patient. it is clear that we should have a high index of suspicion towards psychosis
in those patients who were allegedly involved in crimes against property and in
particular crimes of theft. Special investigations should only be performed where
there is a clear clinical indication. This approach wiII save considerable time and
money without compromising the assessment.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Medicine in Part Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Medicine in Psychiatry at the University
of the Witwatersrand
Keywords
Forensic Psychiatry.