Volume : VII, Issue : IX, September - 2017

A STUDY OF CRIMINAL COURT REFERRALS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Ravindra B. Narod, Dr. Ivan S. Netto

Abstract :

 Background:

There are very few studies regarding the psychiatric evaluation of criminal court referrals(CCRs). Most are foreign studies but there a few rare Indian studies. This study evaluates criminal court referrals referred to a tertiary referral hospital in the Indian setting.

Materials & Method: The study evaluated the socioeconomic data, psychiatric diagnostic categories, outcome and their associations in 30 criminal court referrals referred to a tertiary referral hospital using ICD–10 Research diagnostic criteria, Kuppuswamy’s socioeconomic scale and the MINI–plus interview.

Results and Association: Among these 30 criminal court referrals, the age range was between 14–60 years. 56.33% were male and 43.33% were female. The most common reason for referral was fitness to stand trial.  Most of them (70%) were found to have psychotic disorders. Those CCRs who were fit for trial were sent back to prison and those who were unfit to stand trial were recommended further treatment. Most CCRs were from the lower socioeconomic status. (Χ² =10.8, P < 0.05). There was an association between diagnostic categories and reason for referrals. (Χ² =4.8, P < 0.05).

Implications: These findings have important implications for mental health services, training of mental health professional, research and policy for criminal court referrals in the Indian setting.

Keywords :

Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

DR. RAVINDRA B. NAROD, DR. IVAN S. NETTO, A STUDY OF CRIMINAL COURT REFERRALS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH : Volume-7 | Issue-9 | September-2017

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