Citation

Vidal C, Lepresle A, Chariot P. J. Forensic Sci. 2017; 62(4): 947-952.

Affiliation

Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Enjeux Sociaux (IRIS), UMR 8156-997, UFR SMBH, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris 13, Paris, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.13362

PMID

28568767

Abstract

We studied (May-September 2014) all arrestees who reported mental health issues during the medical examination performed by a forensic physician for the assessment of fitness for detention. Among 4814 arrestees, 420 (9%) reported a current mental health issue. The suspected crimes among arrestees reporting a current mental health issue were more often related to violent behaviors (physical assault, 23% vs. 16%, p < 0.001, sexual assault, 3% vs. 1%, p = 0.01) and less often drug offenses (18% vs. 29%, p < 0.001). Among arrestees reporting mental health issues, 80% reported psychiatric or psychological care, of whom 33% reported previous mental health care. Decisions of unfitness for detention were more frequent among arrestees reporting mental health issues than in other detainees (3% vs. 1%, p < 0.001). The high proportion of patients with interrupted mental health care among those reporting mental disorders suggests that the medical examination during custody could be a significant opportunity to restore psychiatric care.

© 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

arrestee; fitness for detention; forensic science; mental disorder; police custody; psychiatric care