Friedman Susan Hatters, Competente Boaz, Skipworth Jeremy, Worrall Richard
Dr. Friedman is the Phillip Resnick Professor of Forensic Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, and Honorary Associate Professor of Psychological Medicine, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Dr. Competente is a House Officer, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand. Dr. Skipworth is Consultant Psychiatrist, Mason Clinic Regional Forensic Psychiatry Services, Auckland, New Zealand, and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Dr. Worrall is Consultant Psychiatrist, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand, and Honorary Academic at the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2022 Sep;50(3):405-415. doi: 10.29158/JAAPL.210102-21. Epub 2022 Jun 27.
This study aimed to provide a descriptive analysis of the geriatric forensic population referred to a Regional Forensic Psychiatric Service by the court for evaluation (as inpatient, outpatient, or while incarcerated) in New Zealand, over a 7-year period. Data were collected retrospectively from forensic hospital records, including court-ordered reports for those aged 60 and older. Two-fifths (42%) of the 97 referred study subjects were diagnosed with some form of cognitive impairment such as dementia. The majority had a prior history of offending. Two-fifths (39%) were facing sexual charges, and one-third (33%) violent charges. Over one-quarter (28%) of the elderly sample was found unfit (incompetent) to stand trial. A better understanding of this group is needed to ensure forensic assessments and health and social services meet their various psychiatric needs.
本研究旨在对新西兰某地区法医精神病服务机构在7年时间里接收的、由法院转介来进行评估(作为住院患者、门诊患者或在监禁期间)的老年法医群体进行描述性分析。数据是从法医医院记录中回顾性收集的,包括针对60岁及以上人群的法院指令报告。在97名被转介的研究对象中,五分之二(42%)被诊断患有一种或多种形式的认知障碍,如痴呆症。大多数人有犯罪前科。五分之二(39%)面临性犯罪指控,三分之一(33%)面临暴力犯罪指控。超过四分之一(28%)的老年样本被认定不适合(无能力)受审。需要更好地了解这一群体,以确保法医评估以及健康和社会服务能够满足他们的各种精神科需求。