Citation

Rayel MG. J. Forensic Sci. 2000; 45(6): 1193-1196.

Affiliation

Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Clarenville, NF, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11110169

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the clinical and demographic characteristics of the male elderly offenders admitted to a maximum-security forensic hospital. Charts of male elderly patients were reviewed to obtain clinical and demographic data. Seventy-seven percent of geriatric felons were involved in violent crime, 41% of which had psychotic symptoms. Forty-five percent of offenders with a history of head trauma/neurologic disorder were charged with violent offenses. Fifty-nine percent had previous psychiatric hospitalization. Most elderly male offenders involved in violent crimes had primary psychotic and mood disorders, cognitive impairment, and a history of head trauma/neurologic disorder. The small number of subjects precludes clear conclusions and needs further study.

Language: en