Abstract
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate psychiatric diagnoses and sociodemographic factors of adolescent delinquents.
Method:
Medical charts of nineteen adolescents referred to Ankara University, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for forensic evaluation between dates 2008 and 2011 were examined retrospectively.
Results:
The age range of cases reviewed was between 13 and 17 years and predominant gender was male. The most common alleged crime was sexual abuse. The most common psychiatric diagnosis determined was Attention Defi cit Hyperactivity Disorder. Majority of the cases had mental retardation.
Discussion:
Presence of psychopathology might be an important risk factor among the causes that increase the vulnerability for delinquency. Rehabilitation, follow up and psychiatric treatment of juvenile delinquents through each stage of legal processes are considered to be a requirement in terms of providing preventive and protective mental health service.
Keywords: Adolescent, crime, psychiatric diagnosis.
