ABSTRACT
Medical malpractice litigation involving seven to nine figure settlements has been on the rise over the past decade. Given the life-altering scope of these incidents, forensic child psychiatrists may be asked to opine on the effects of a permanent perinatal injury on normal human development. Whether forensic child psychiatrists can assess risk of future psychiatric effects from such incidents is an important question. This paper is spurred by two separate cases, each involving a male infant having a portion of their genitals accidentally amputated by an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) during a routine circumcision. In each case, the genitals were repaired, but permanent defects remained. The question arises how such injuries would affect these children as they matured. An analysis of the literature supported that there are risks of psychiatric effects of such birth-related injuries. Such predictions are made with reference to what is already known about human development, and by an exploration of the literature on the psychiatric effects of comparable injuries to children.
Subject(s)
Circumcision, Male/adverse effects , Developmental Disabilities/etiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Circumcision, Male/legislation & jurisprudence , Developmental Disabilities/diagnosis , Forensic Psychiatry/methods , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Interviews as Topic , Male , Penis/injuries , Perinatal Care/legislation & jurisprudence , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
Female sexual offenders comprise the minority of sexual offenders in the criminal justice system. However, empirical research reveals that sexual offenses against adolescents by females are a bigger problem than previously thought, particularly in the educational system. The authors review some of the data in the criminal justice system as well as in empirical research studies about female sexual offenders, with a specific focus on females who commit sexual crimes against students who are minors.
Subject(s)
Minors/psychology , Sex Offenses/legislation & jurisprudence , Sex Offenses/psychology , Students/psychology , Teaching/legislation & jurisprudence , Adolescent , Cell Phone , Child , Crime Victims/psychology , Crime Victims/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/psychology , Rape/legislation & jurisprudence , Rape/psychology , Rape/statistics & numerical data , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Self Concept , Sex Offenses/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Teaching/statistics & numerical data , Text MessagingSubject(s)
Child , Adolescent , Mental Health , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Forensic Psychiatry , Child , Adolescent , Psychology, Adolescent , Psychology, ChildABSTRACT
Studies of juvenile homicide have been limited to small samples and have arrived at widely varying clinical formulations. The present study of 72 juvenile murderers uses a three-group typology based on the circumstances of the offense. Group differences in prior adjustment suggest distinct developmental pathways to adolescent violence. Implications for research and for legal decision-making are discussed.
