Clinical and demographic variables related to "fitness to stand trial" assessments in Manitoba.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the extent to which clinical and nonclinical variables have been used by mental health professionals in Manitoba to determine fitness to stand trial. Researchers at a forensic setting in another province have suggested that demographic variables account for as much of the variance in predicting the outcome of these assessments as clinical variables.

METHOD

These variables were assessed by the examination of 100 fitness assessments conducted at Winnipeg's Forensic Services unit during a 2-year period.

RESULTS

Contrary to findings reported in Ontario, the variance in fitness evaluations in Manitoba was primarily accounted for by clinical rather than demographic variables.

CONCLUSION

Since Manitoba's forensic clinicians were using standardized criteria that were very similar to 1992 Criminal Code revisions of fitness, the findings attest to the usefulness of these criteria.