Youth homicide: a study of homicide predictor factors in adolescent offenders in custody in the south of Brazil / Homicídio juvenil: fatores preditores em adolescentes privados de liberdade no sul do Brasil

Abstract Objectives To assess the sociodemographic, psychiatric and criminal profile of adolescent offenders complying with temporary custody for homicide/homicide attempt and to compare it to that of the population of adolescents in custody for other crimes. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on the review of the medical records of 74 juvenile offenders in temporary custody at socioeducational agency Fundação de Atendimento Sócio-Educativo do Rio Grande do Sul. For the analysis, variables that presented p < 0.2 were included in multivariate adjustment through logistic regression. Results The sample comprised males only, mostly with white skin color (55.6 vs. 57.9% for homicidal and non-homicidal, respectively) and with a high prevalence of school failure (77.8 vs. 91.2%). There was a high prevalence of family history of delinquency (88 vs. 81%). Only years of study and belonging or not to a criminal organization remained statistically significant in the multivariate model. Conclusion The results show that having fewer years of study and denying belonging to a criminal organization are predictive factors of homicidal behavior in adolescent offenders (both with statistical relevance). The other variables were not statistically significant for this outcome. The present study may serve as a basis for further research, which may improve our understanding of risk factors for juvenile homicide.

Resumo Objetivos Avaliar o perfil sociodemográfico, psiquiátrico e criminal de adolescentes infratores que cumprem internação provisória por homicídio ou tentativa de homicídio e compará-los aos adolescentes privados de liberdade por outros atos infracionais. Métodos Este estudo transversal baseou-se na revisão dos prontuários médicos de 74 adolescentes infratores em internação provisória na Fundação de Atendimento Sócio-Educativo do Rio Grande do Sul. Para a análise, variáveis que apresentaram p <0,2 foram incluídas no ajuste multivariado por meio de regressão logística. Resultados A amostra foi composta apenas por homens, a maioria de pele branca (55,6 versus 57,9% para homicidas e não-homicidas, respectivamente) e com alta prevalência de reprovações escolares (77,8 vs. 91,2%). Houve alta prevalência de antecedentes familiares de delinquência (88 versus 81%). Apenas anos de estudo e pertencimento ou não a uma organização criminosa permaneceram estatisticamente significantes no modelo multivariado. Conclusão Os resultados mostram que ter menos anos de estudo e negar pertencer a uma organização criminosa foram fatores preditivos de comportamento homicida em adolescentes infratores (ambos com relevância estatística). As demais variáveis não foram estatisticamente significativas para esse desfecho. O presente estudo pode servir como base para futuras pesquisas, o que pode melhorar nossa compreensão dos fatores de risco para o homicídio juvenil.

¿Medicalizar al delincuente o hacer del loco un criminal?: Prácticas de alienismo y medicina legal en Colombia a comienzos del siglo XX / Medicalizing delinquents or turning the mad into criminals?: Practices of alienation and legal medicine in Colombia in the early the 20th century

RESUMEN Este artículo analiza algunas asociaciones médico-jurídicas entre locura y criminalidad en el departamento de Antioquia (Colombia), en las primeras tres décadas del siglo XX. El análisis se orientó por dos ejes imbricados: el de los discursos y el de las prácticas. Se examinaron las ideas de cuatro médicos, planteadas entre 1917 y 1925, para identificar los debates teóricos desde los cuales se delimitaban y definían las enfermedades mentales en casos judiciales. La puesta en escena del saber de los peritos y su lugar como expertos se analizaron en un caso judicial, que inició en 1921, y en cuyo desarrollo afloraron las confrontaciones teóricas entre los médicos que debatieron sobre la posible locura del acusado.

ABSTRACT This article analyzes medical-legal associations between madness and criminality in department of Antioquia (Colombia) during the three first decades of 20th century. The analysis was oriented by two overlapping axes: discourses and practices. The ideas of four doctors, generated between 1917 and 1925, were examined in order to identify the theoretical debates that delimited and defined mental illnesses in legal cases. The use of qualified knowledge and their place as experts were analyzed in a judicial case, initiated in 1921, in which theoretical confrontations surfaced among the doctors that debated the possible insanity of the defendant.

Identificación Mediante Huellas Labiales: Casos Paradigmáticos, Oportunidades Perdidas y "Anomalías" para la Construcción de un Nuevo Paradigma / Lip Print Identification: Paradigm Case Argument, Lost Opportunities and "Anomalies" for the Construction of a New Paradigm

RESUMEN: El análisis de huellas labiales con fines de identificación criminal ha sido denominado Queiloscopía, especialidad de la odontología forense que se ha sustentado en las supuestas unicidad, perennidad y clasificabilidad de los patrones de surcos labiales. En la actualidad, dos elementales corrientes parecen representar la realidad de la queiloscopía en el mundo forense: mientras algunos casos han demarcado su construcción estableciendo un paradigma de gran poder en la segunda mitad del siglo XX, la insuficiencia técnica en algunos casos o la presencia de nuevos estándares jurídicos en otros han puesto en jaque a esta subdisciplina de la Odontología Forense. Se presenta una reevaluación de los paradigmas propuestos por esos casos, se exponen situaciones fallidas en ese tipo de manejo de evidencias y se presenta una proyección efectiva local a esta (aún) potencial herramienta de investigación criminal.

ABSTRACT: Lip print analysis for criminal identification has been called Cheiloscopy, a specialty of forensic odontology based on the alleged uniqueness, durability and classification of labial groove patterns. Presently, there are two basic claims that seem to make reference to Cheiloscopy in the forensic world: While some cases have distinctly marked its design by establishing a dominant paradigm during the second half of the 20th century, others have questioned this particular specialty of Forensic Odontology in view of technical shortcomings or new legal standards. In light of failed cases under this form of evidence management, a reevaluation of the paradigms, and a better use of this potentially effective mechanism in criminal investigation are proposed.

Examining an Accused of Sexual Assault - Some Practical Aspects.

Rape or Sexual Assault victim examination is one important medicolegal procedure, but examining an accused of sexual assault - is not any less important task and it is one of the commonest responsibilities a medico encounters generally when posted at any Government Hospital. But it has been observed that this type of case has always been a headache for them because of mainly two reasons – firstly - how to conduct the cases with clear-cut concept, and secondly - for a fear to face the court. It has also been seen that at so called standard books, views on minute practical problems during conduction of such cases they are lacking at several aspects which are really necessary. This discussion is with the motto of highlighting those specific portions as much as possible to enable an easier proceeding of such medicolegal works.