Inferences from Criminal Cases of Individuals Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Document Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the criminal characteristics of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia involved in criminal behavior. Method: This study employed retrospective document analysis as a qualitative research method. Data were obtained from the website of the Court of Cassation of the Republic of Turkey. In July 2022, searches were conducted using the keyword “schizophrenia”. All published criminal case files directly related to individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and reviewed by the criminal divisions of the Court of Cassation were examined. A total of 426 case files were analyzed (N = 426). Results: Criminal cases from 2010-2021 were categorized by offender’s age, legal interest, crime type, violence of crime, and victim. Most cases involved adults. About 25% of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia committed "crimes against property" and "crimes against liberty," with “theft, intentional injury, and threats” being the most common offenses. The crimes were generally moderately violent, and the victims were often individuals unknown to the offender. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the role of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who are involved in crime within the criminal justice system. In this context, it is recommended that mental health professionals be involved in all judicial processes to assess the mental state, conduct risk assessments, determine appropriate treatment approaches, and better understand the key characteristics related to criminal behavior in individuals with schizophrenia. Additionally, tailoring rehabilitation programs according to the type of crime and training people working in the legal field in mental health can significantly improve the care and management of these individuals.

Keywords

• Crime
• criminal behaviour
• schizophrenia

Şizofreni Tanılı Bireylerin Ceza Davalarından Çıkarımlar: Retrospektif Bir Döküman Analizi

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı suça karışmış şizofreni tanısı almış bireylerin suç özelliklerini incelemektir. Yöntem: Bu çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemi olarak retrospektif doküman analizi kullanılmıştır. Veriler Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Yargıtay'ının web sitesinden elde edilmiştir. Temmuz 2022 tarihinde "şizofreni" anahtar kelimesi kullanılarak taramalar yapılmıştır. Şizofreni tanısı almış bireylerle doğrudan ilişkili olup Yargıtay ceza daireleri tarafından incelenen ve yayımlanmış tüm ceza dava dosyaları incelenmiştir. Toplam 426 dava dosyası analiz edilmiştir (N = 426). Bulgular: 2010-2021 yılları arasındaki ceza davaları failin yaşı, hukuki değer, suç tipi, şiddet düzeyi ve mağdura göre kategorize edilmiştir. Vakaların çoğu yetişkinleri içermektedir. Şizofreni tanısı almış bireylerin yaklaşık %25'i malvarlığına ve hürriyete karşı suçlar işlemiş olup, en yaygın suç tipleri hırsızlık, kasten yaralama ve tehdit olmuştur. Suçlar genellikle orta şiddettedir ve mağdurlar çoğunlukla failin tanımadığı kişilerdir. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, suça karışan şizofreni tanısı almış bireylerin ceza adalet sistemi içindeki rolüne ışık tutmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, ruhsal sağlığı profesyonellerinin; ruhsal durumu değerlendirmek, risk değerlendirmesi yapmak, uygun tedavi yaklaşımlarını belirlemek ve şizofreni tanılı bireylerde suç davranışıyla ilgili temel özellikleri daha iyi anlamak için yargılama sürecin tamamına dahil edilmeleri önerilmektedir. Ek olarak rehabilitasyon programlarını suç tipine göre uyarlamak ve hukuk alanında çalışan kişileri ruh sağlığı konusunda bilgilendirmek bu bireylerin bakımını ve yönetimini önemli ölçüde iyileştirebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• suç
• suç davranışı
• şizofreni

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