[Psychopathy in female inmates in Chile]. / Psicopatía en mujeres privadas de libertad en Chile.

INTRODUCTION: although psychopathy is a clinical construct of great importance for both the clinical and forensic field, previous Latin American research has been focused mainly on males. OBJECTIVES: determine the prevalence of psychopathy and of antisocial personality disorder in imprisoned female population. To explore the distribution scores obtained with the PCL-R and to test its psychometric characteristics. METHOD: a randomized sample of 210 participants was obtained from the 570 women imprisoned in the female prison in Santiago, Chile, in June 2014. The participants were evaluated by two independent researchers with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist and the Interpersonal Measure of Psychopathy. The information was obtained from different sources and the interviews were all video-registered for its double check. RESULTS: Prevalence of psychopathy was 11,9% and antisocial personality disorder 43,8%. The results assert that the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised is reliable and valid to be used in women and provide the norms for the professionals working with inmate female population.

Psychosocial Factors and Juvenile Homicide in Argentina.

Although knowledge on and prevention of juvenile homicide are crucial for social welfare and have been approached through different methodological instruments, this behavior is still quite difficult to be addressed. In this study, we have analyzed several psychological and social factors that could be theoretically related to juvenile homicidal behavior. Our case-control study included young (M = 16.8 years) males institutionalized in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, under judicial order for crime. Out of 195 cases, 130 had committed homicide, 15 had repeated homicide, and 50 had attempted homicide. The control group comprised 305 young males who had committed other types of crimes. Self-reported and informant-reported instruments and professional assessment were used: Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC) Scale, Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (WAI), Resistance to Peer Influence (RPI), Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version (PCL-YV), and Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (ICU). Differences between indicators of the psychological and social dimensions were not statistically significant. Only Factor 4 of the PCL-YV showed statistically significant difference. However, the relevance of this result is under discussion.

Trastornos mentales y responsabilidad criminal en incendiarios / Mental disorders and criminal responsibility in arsonists

Introducción. Los objetivos del estudio son describir a acusados del delito de incendio en las dimensiones demográfica, psiquiátrica y criminológica y explorar factores asociados a la opinión pericial de inimputabilidad. Material y métodos. Se describe la serie de casos acusados de incendio y evaluados pericialmente (N=197) en la Unidad de Psiquiatría de Adultos del Servicio Médico Legal de Chile, durante el periodo 1999-2012 y con diseño de casos y controles se exploran factores asociados con la opinión de inimputabilidad. Resultados. La serie de casos tuvo alta prevalencia de problemas sociales, familiares y de trastornos mentales. En el 52,3% se alcanzó conclusión pericial compatible con la imputabilidad, en el 24,4% con la inimputabilidad y en el 23,3% con la imputabilidad disminuida. Conclusiones. Las condiciones de inimputabilidad e imputabilidad disminuidas, agrupadas como «opinión pericial de imputabilidad comprometida» se asociaron significativamente a la verificación de conducta bizarra, motivación patológica, motivación afectiva, autolesiones y actitud colaboradora del acusado (AU)

Introduction. The purpose of the study is to describe arsonists in their demographic, psychiatric and criminological dimensions and to explore factors associated with the expert opinion of insanity. Material and methods. A series of cases accused of arson and assessed in the adult Psychiatric Unit of the Legal Medical Service of Chile, during the period 1999-2012 (N=197) is described. With a cases and controls design, the factors associated with the opinion of insanity are explored. Results. The series of cases had a high prevalence of mental disorders, social and family problems. Expert opinion compatible with the condition of criminal responsibility was achieved in 52.3% of the cases; and in 24.4% it was compatible with insanity and in 23.3% with diminished criminal responsibility. Conclusions. The conditions of insanity and diminished criminal responsibility, grouped together as «expert opinion of altered criminal responsibility» were significantly associated with bizarre behavior, pathological motivation, emotional motivation, self-harm and cooperative attitude of the accused (AU)

Predictive efficacy of violence risk assessment instruments in Latin-America / Eficacia predictora de los instrumentos de evaluación del riesgo de violencia en Latinoamérica

In Latin America, violence risk assessment used to be based in the non-structured clinical approach. An Argentinian cohort study that included violence risk assessment tools changed the tradition. The objective of this study is to inform of the observed predictive efficacy of these tools in the follow-up until March 2012. One hundred and fifty three consecutive pre-released convicted males were recruited from September 2001 through September 2004 in La Plata, Argentina. The pre-release assessment measures included the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, Assessing Risk for Violence V2, Structured Professional Judgment, and Violence Risk Appraisal Guide. The mean follow-up time was 1,290 days. Ninety-nine (64.7%) subjects had at least one general relapse, and 91 (59.5%) had at least one violent relapse. The incidence rate of violent recidivism as 16.8 per 100 person-years. While some indicators of predictive validity had no clinical significance, the time-dependent indicators did have clinical significance (AU)

En Latinoamérica, la evaluación del riesgo de violencia se basaba en la aproximación clínica no estructurada. A comienzos del presente siglo un estudio de cohorte argentino cambió la tendencia. El propósito de este estudio es informar sobre la eficacia predictiva de esos instrumentos en el seguimiento hasta marzo de 2012 de la cohorte de penados liberados. Se reclutó a 153 varones penados, candidatos a ser liberados consecutivamente bajo condiciones entre septiembre de 2001 y septiembre de 2004. Las medidas basales estaban constituidas por el Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, Assessing Risk for Violence V2, Violence Risk Appraisal Guide y el juicio profesional estructurado. El período promedio de seguimiento fue de 1.290 días. Noventa y nueve (64.7%) sujetos tuvieron, por lo menos, una recidiva general y 91 (59.5%) tuvieron, por lo menos, una recidiva violenta. La tasa de incidencia de recidiva violenta fue de 16.8 por 100 persona-años. Algunos indicadores de validez predictiva no alcanzaron significación clínica, pero sí los estimadores tiempo-dependientes (AU)

Tópicos actuales de la investigación internacional sobre riesgo de violencia / Current topics regarding international research on the violence risk / Temas atuais da investigação internacional sobre o risco da violência

Introducción: La producción de investigación sobre riesgo de violencia muestra gran heterogeneidad internacional y, especialmente, escasez y lenta difusión en Latinoamérica. Objetivos: Obtener una visión configurativa de los tópicos pertinentes al riesgo y prevención secundaria de la violencia, que son focos actuales de la investigación internacional. Método: Revisión de artículos científicos publicados en inglés durante agosto-octubre del 2013 y de artículos en español que se publicaron durante el 2013-2014. La selección se realizó con base en los trabajos en inglés detectados por la "Alliance for International Risk Research", y en los publicados en español hallados con búsqueda en LILACS y SciELO con las palabras clave "riesgo" y "violencia", además de consulta a red de expertos. Resultados: 45 artículos en inglés y siete en español resultaron pertinentes para los objetivos del estudio. Se verificó amplia preocupación por la sistematización de la evaluación del riesgo de violencia y por la planificación y el monitoreo de las intervenciones de prevención secundaria. Predominaron los tópicos relacionados con la confiabilidad, validez y utilidad práctica de los instrumentos de evaluación de riesgo de violencia.

Introduction: The production of research dealing with the violence risk shows significant international heterogeneity and, particularly, scarce results and a slow dissemination in Latin America. Objectives: To obtain a configurative vision of topics that are relevant to risk assessment and secondary prevention of violence that are the present matters on which international research is focused. Method: The review of scientific articles published in English during August-October 2013 and in Spanish through 2013-2014. The selection made was based on the works written in English as found by the "Alliance for International Risk Research", and on those published in Spanish observed through searches in LILACS and SciELO with the Key Words "riesgo" y "violencia" ("risk and violence"), apart from expert-network consultations. Results: 45 articles in English and seven in Spanish were found relevant for the study purposes. Widespread concern was confirmed with respect to the systematization of violence risk assessment and the planning and monitoring of secondary prevention interventions. Topics relating to reliability, validity and practical usefulness of violence-risk assessment instruments prevailed.

Introdução: A produção da investigação sobre o risco da violência mostra a grande heterogeneidade internacional e, especialmente, escassez e a difusão lenta em América Latina. Objetivos: Para obter uma visão configurativa dos temas pertinentes ao risco e à prevenção secundária da violência, que são focos atuais da investigação internacional. Método: Revisão de artigos científicos publicada em inglês durante agosto-outubro do 2013 e de artigos no espanhol que foram publicados durante 2013-2014. A seleção foi feita com base nos trabalhos em inglês detectados pela "Alliance for International Risk Research", e nos publicadas no espanhol encontrados com busca em LILACS e SciELO com as palavras chaves "risco" e "violência", além da consulta à rede dos especialistas. Resultados: 45 artigos em inglês e sete em espanhol resultaram pertinentes para os objetivos do estudo. Verificou-se ampla preocupação pela sistematização da avaliação do risco da violência e pelo planejamento e pelo monitoramento das intervenções da prevenção secundária. Predominaram os temas relacionados à confiança, à validez e à utilidade prática dos instrumentos da avaliação do risco da violência.

Accuracy of the Historical, Clinical and Risk Management Scales (HCR-20) in predicting violence and other offenses in forensic psychiatric patients in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the risk of violence is a complex task. In Latin America it is often based on clinical criteria that are not very objective or structured. HCR-20 has been used to increase the accuracy of this exam. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the predictive validity of the Historical, Clinical and Risk Management Scales (HCR-20) violence risk assessment scale on a sample of Brazilian male forensic psychiatric inpatients. METHOD: A concurrent prospective cohort design was used. The cohort was selected among the population of inpatients in Unit D (N=68) at Instituto Psiquiátrico Forense Mauricio Cardoso (IPF), Brazil. For the baseline assessment the following instruments: HCR-20-Assessing Risk for Violence, Version 2, and Hare Psychopathy Checklist, Revised (PCL-R) were used. During the one-year follow up, episodes of violent and/or anti-social behavior were assessed, and recorded on the Yudofsky's Overt Aggression Scale (OAS) and Tengström et al.'s Follow-Up Questionnaire. The accuracy of HCR-20 and PCL-R to predict violent and/or anti-social behavior was assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: For the whole cohort, the mean total score of PCL-R was 13.54 and of HCR-20 it was 23.32. The rate of recidivism in the twelve month follow up was 73.5%. Outstanding among the risk factors explored for their predictive efficacy are scale HCR-20 and subscale H for any event, and scale HCR-20 for a violent event. The predictive efficacy of scales HCR-20 and PCL-R was greater for any antisocial event than for a violent event. By taking into account the possibility of recidivism and the probability of recidivism accumulated over time, instruments HCR-20 and PCL-R behaved as expected. In all these explorations, the instruments significantly differentiated the group of the sample that recidivated earlier.

Association between Intimate Partner Violence and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a common form of interpersonal violence in both developed and developing countries, and represents a forensic and public health problem. IPV is related to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This relationship however, has not been investigated in Colombian population. Objective: To determine the strength of the association between IPV and PTSD in women referred for forensic psychiatric evaluation in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Method: A case-control study was designed. A total of 132 cases involving women referred for forensic psychiatric evaluation met criteria for PSTD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). A group of 262 women without PTSD were taken as controls. First, odds ratio (OR) was computed. Logistic regression was used to control confounding variables. Results: A total of 76 (56.6%) in the case group reported IPV during the past year compared to 85 (32.6%) in the control group. IPV and PTSD were associated (OR=3.09, 95%CI: 1.58-6.03) after controlling for age, employment, medico-legal loss or injury, and current aggressor (partner). Conclusions: IPV increased the risk for PTSD three-fold among women attending forensic assessment in Bucaramanga, Colombia...

Introducción: La violencia doméstica por la pareja (VDP) contra las mujeres es un evento frecuente de violencia interpersonal en países en desarrollo y desarrollados y representa un problema médico-legal y de la salud pública. La VDP se relaciona con el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEP); sin embargo, esta asociación no se ha investigado en Colombia. Objetivo: Establecer la fortaleza de la asociación entre VDP y TEP en mujeres remitidas a evaluación psiquiátrica forense en Bucaramanga, Colombia. Método: Se diseñó un estudio de casos y controles. Se tomaron como casos 132 mujeres que reunieron criterios para TEP, según los criterios de la Asociación Psiquiátrica Americana, y como controles a un grupo de 262 mujeres sin TEP. Primero se calculó la razón de oportunidad (OR); posteriormente, se usó la regresión logística para controlar variables confusoras. Resultados: Un total de 76 (56,6%) mujeres en el grupo de casos informó VDP durante el último año, comparado con 85 (32,6%) en el grupo control. La VDP se asoció significativamente con TEP (OR=3,09; IC95%: 1,58-6,03), aun después de controlar por edad, empleo, incapacidad médico-legal y pareja agresora actual. Conclusiones: La VDP incrementa tres veces el riesgo de TEP en mujeres que asisten a evaluación psiquiátrica forense en Bucaramanga, Colombia...

Reliability of the Brazilian version of HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence.

OBJECTIVE: Assessing risk for violence is a complex task often based on not objective or structured clinical evaluations. HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence has been used in several countries to increase the accuracy of this exam. The purpose of this study was to inform on central aspects of this instrument, as well as the results of the reliability assessment of the HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence in a Brazilian inpatient criminal population. METHOD: Two examiners independently assessed a random sample of 30 patients that were under criminal commitment at the Mauricio Cardoso Forensic Psychiatric Institute RESULTS: Mean consensus values means were as follows: Historical = 13.1; Clinical = 4.8 and Risk management = 5.8. The value of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for the score of subscale Historical was 0.97, for subscale Clinical it was 0.94, and for subscale Risk management, 0.96. As to the individual items of the HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence, the result of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was good to excellent (mean = 0.97; interval, from 0.60 to 0.99). CONCLUSION: The interrater reliability of the Brazilian version of the HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence scale was similar to the results of studies in other countries.

Reliability of the Brazilian version of HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence / Confiabilidade da versão brasileira do HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence

OBJECTIVE: Assessing risk for violence is a complex task often based on not objective or structured clinical evaluations. HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence has been used in several countries to increase the accuracy of this exam. The purpose of this study was to inform on central aspects of this instrument, as well as the results of the reliability assessment of the HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence in a Brazilian inpatient criminal population. METHOD: Two examiners independently assessed a random sample of 30 patients that were under criminal commitment at the Mauricio Cardoso Forensic Psychiatric Institute RESULTS: Mean consensus values means were as follows: Historical = 13.1; Clinical = 4.8 and Risk management = 5.8. The value of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for the score of subscale Historical was 0.97, for subscale Clinical it was 0.94, and for subscale Risk management, 0.96. As to the individual items of the HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence, the result of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was good to excellent (mean = 0.97; interval, from 0.60 to 0.99). CONCLUSION: The interrater reliability of the Brazilian version of the HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence scale was similar to the results of studies in other countries.

OBJETIVO: A avaliação de risco de violência é uma tarefa complexa baseada muitas vezes em critérios clínicos pouco objetivos e estruturados. O HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence tem sido usado em diversos países para aumentar a precisão deste exame. O presente estudo tem como objetivo informar aspectos nucleares deste instrumento, bem como os resultados da avaliação da confiabilidade do HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence em uma amostra da população manicomial brasileira. MÉTODO: Dois examinadores avaliaram independentemente uma amostra de 30 pacientes selecionada aleatoriamente da população em cumprimento de Medida de Segurança no Instituto Psiquiátrico Forense Maurício Cardoso. RESULTADOS: Os valores das médias de consenso entre os entrevistadores foram os seguintes: Histórica = 13,1; Clínica = 4,8 e Manejo de risco = 5,8. O valor do Coeficiente de Correlação Interno para a pontuação da subescala Histórica foi 0,97; para a pontuação da subescala Clínica foi 0,94; e para a subescala Manejo de risco foi 0,96. Quanto aos itens individuais do HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence, o resultado do Coeficiente de Correlação Interno foi de bom a excelente (média = 0,97; intervalo de 0,60 a 0,99). CONCLUSÃO: A confiabilidade entre os avaliadores da versão brasileira da escala HCR-20 Assessing Risk for Violence foi similar aos resultados de estudos em outros países.

Pathological gambling and criminality.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review research results on the relationship between pathological gambling and criminality, published in 2007 and 2008, in English and in Spanish. RECENT FINDINGS: An important association between pathological gambling and criminality was confirmed in populations of anonymous gamblers, helpline callers and substance abusers. Helplines provide a timely service to gamblers who have not reached the maximum stages in the development of a pathological gambling pattern. Pathological gambling is associated with violence in couples and dysfunctional families. Inversely, violence is also an antecedent promoting vulnerability toward pathological gambling. Impulsiveness shows diverse relationships with pathological gambling and violence as well. A pathological gambler's involvement in crime is exceptionally considered without responsibility by justice, but it may be an indicator of the disorder severity and the need for special therapeutic tactics. SUMMARY: While reviewing the present study, research work was published that contributed to a better understanding of the association between pathological gambling and criminality and went further into their complex relationship and the formulation of explanatory models related to impulsiveness.

Delincuencia infantojuvenil y sistema judicial en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Child and juvenile delinquency and legal system in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Considerando la relevancia social de la delincuencia infanto-juvenil, la escasa disponibilidad de evidencias científicas locales y el momento de cambio en el sistema, este artículo tiene el propósito de comentar el sistema de responsabilidad penal en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, y explorar aspectos relacionados con la salud mental de los jóvenes que cometieron delitos y se encuentran institucionalizados en la jurisdicción del Departamento Judicial La Plata.(AU)

Taking into account the social relevance of child and juvenile delinquency, the little availability of local scientific evidence concerning the subject and the moment of change in the system, this article is intended to describe the criminal system of responsibility in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Psychiatric and psychological aspects of youth involved in crimes and of those who are institutionalized in the Legal Department of La Plata shall be explored.(AU)

Delincuencia infantojuvenil y sistema judicial en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Child and juvenile delinquency and legal system in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Considerando la relevancia social de la delincuencia infanto-juvenil, la escasa disponibilidad de evidencias científicas locales y el momento de cambio en el sistema, este artículo tiene el propósito de comentar el sistema de responsabilidad penal en la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, y explorar aspectos relacionados con la salud mental de los jóvenes que cometieron delitos y se encuentran institucionalizados en la jurisdicción del Departamento Judicial La Plata.

Taking into account the social relevance of child and juvenile delinquency, the little availability of local scientific evidence concerning the subject and the moment of change in the system, this article is intended to describe the criminal system of responsibility in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Psychiatric and psychological aspects of youth involved in crimes and of those who are institutionalized in the Legal Department of La Plata shall be explored.

Education in forensic psychiatry.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review focuses on the education needs and related pedagogical aspects of education in forensic psychiatry. RECENT FINDINGS: Physicians specializing in other fields generally deal with concepts that are thoroughly addressed in forensic psychiatry, such as the ability of patients to consent to treatment, confidentiality, victimization, and risk factors for auto and hetero-lesive behaviour. Present practices like the advance of e-health and patients' rights call for ethical and responsible attitudes. There are a variety of programs providing specific training for psychiatrists willing to work in the forensic area and renewed pedagogical trends are gradually being incorporated. Many articles point out the need to enforce the teaching of expert communication abilities while others warn of the poor economic incentive of forensic psychiatry as a career. SUMMARY: Forensic psychiatry teaching is undergoing a period of significant evolution and expansion. New didactic trends, specific pedagogical research and an increase in training needs in other fields of medicine are promising. It is important to ensure that the formal training provided in every country is comparable and that those who teach and learn this complex field are acknowledged.

Síntomas de estrés postraumático y trastornos del sueño en un grupo de mujeres adultas de Bogotá / Sleep disorders and posttraumatic stress symptoms in adult women in Bogotá

Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de las alteraciones del sueño, síntomas por estrés postraumático y calidad del sueño en una muestra de mujeres adultas en Bogotá. Material y métodos. Es un estudio descriptivo transversal, realizado en 2004, en una muestra de mujeres adultas jóvenes que aceptaron participar en la investigación mediante consentimiento informado. Se aplicaron las escalas de autoevaluación validadas nacionalmente, el índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburgh, la escala de somnolencia de Epworth y la escala de impacto de eventos. Resultados. Las mujeres estudiadas fueron adultas jóvenes, de estrato socioeconómico bajo y medio, la mayoría sin relación estable de pareja, con talla de 1,6 m en promedio (IC95 1,56-1,63), peso de 53 kg en promedio (IC95).

[The facets of psychopathy described by the hare psychopathy checklist revised and its reliability]. / Las facetas de la psicopatía según la hare psychopathy ckecklist revised y su confiabilidad.

INTRODUCTION: The second edition of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Hare 2003) describes facets that allow a more accurate measure of interpersonal, affective, lifestyle and antisocial aspects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to assess the reliability of the Argentinean version of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist Revised on a penitentiary population, taking into consideration the new factor and facet structure. METHOD: Thirty four subjects were simultaneously assessed by two raters yielding two independent scores. RESULTS: The results show that the Argentinean version of the scale with its new structure has an excellent interrater reliability and internal consistency (Crombach's Alpha was 0.99 for total score; 0.98 for Factor 1 and 0.99 for Factor 2; the single measure of the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.99; 0.97 y 0.97 respectively).

Exploración de la validez de la escala de impulsividad de Barratt (BIS 11) en la población carcelaria argentina / Exploring the Validity of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS 11) in Argentinean Penitentiary Population.

Objetivo: revisar la utilidad y aspectos de la confiabilidad y validez de la Versión 11 de la Escala de Impulsividad de Barratt (BIS 11) en la población comprometida judicialmente. Materiales y método: se evaluaron 180 penados, candidatos a liberación anticipada y sobrese ídos por inimputabilidad, aspirantes a alta consecutivos, en el Programa Piloto de Evaluaci ón de Riesgo de Liberados de la Procuración General de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, en la ciudad de La Plata, durante el período 2001-2004, a ciegas de la autoadministración de la BIS 11. Se calcularon indicadores de la congruencia y de la validez concurrente y predictiva de la BIS 11. Resultados: los resultados con la escala BIS 11 mostraron una distribución alejada de la normal y una media de 63 puntos para la escala total. El coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para la puntuación total fue 0,68; la escala de impulsividad motora fue la que tuvo el valor más alto, que alcanzó 0,70. La puntuación total tuvo una correlación de 0,28 y altamente significativa con la evaluación clínica del ítem impulsividad de la HCR-20. La correlación también fue significativa con otros instrumentos de evaluación de psicopatía y de riesgo de violencia. La categorización de la muestra, según la puntuación de la BIS 11, fuera alta o baja, tuvo un acuerdo mediano (kappa = 0,55) con clasificación clínica dicotómica del grado de impulsividad. La validez predictiva no resultó significativa. Conclusiones: la utilización de la escala autoadministrada BIS 11 no es absolutamente confiable en el contexto carcelario, pero puede resultar útil en numerosos casos, especialmente, enmarcada en un enfoque multitáctico de evaluación psiquiátrico forense.

Objective: To review the usefulness and examine various reliability and validity aspects of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS 11) in penitentiary population. Material and Methods: One hundred and eighty convicts and forensic patients who were candidates for conditional release or discharge were assessed within the Risk Assessment Pilot Program of the General Attorney’s Office of the Province of Buenos Aires, in the city of La Plata, Argentina, from 2001 to 2004. Clinical assessment was performed blinded to the results of the self-administered BIS 11. Indicators of consistency and concurrent as well as predictive validity were also estimated. Results: The distribution of the results obtained with the BIS 11 was not normal. In addition, results yielded a mean of 63 for total score. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for total score was 0.68; the motor impulsivity scale showed the highest value (0.70). Total score was significantly correlated (r = 0.28) with the clinical assessment of the HCR-20 impulsivity item. There was also a significant correlation with the results of other instruments measuring risk of violence and psychopathy. There was a moderate agreement (kappa = 0.55) between high and low impulsive groups as defined by BIS 11 and the clinical dichotomical classification of impulsiveness. Predictive validity was not significant. Conclusions: Although the selfadministered BIS 11 may not be completely reliable in penitentiary settings, it could be useful in several cases especially when administered as part of a forensic psychiatric assessment with a multitactical approach.

Calidad de sueño en mujeres víctimas de asalto sexual en Bogotá / Sleep disorders and sleep quality in female victims of rape in Bogota

Antecedentes: las alteraciones del sueño están presentes en víctimas de asalto sexual, siendo importante determinar su frecuencia, comorbilidad y asociaciones posibles.Objetivos: determinar la prevalencia de alteraciones del sueño y explorar la calidad del sueño en una muestra de mujeres víctimas de asalto sexual en Bogotá. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal, realizado en 2004, en una muestra de mujeres víctimas de asalto sexual que aceptaron participar en la investigación mediante consentimiento informado. Se aplicaron las escalas de autoevaluación validadas nacionalmente: índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburgh y escala de somnolencia de...

La entrevista piiquiátrica del sujeto simulador / The Malingerer’s Psychiatric Interview

Dentro de la práctica clínica diaria, así como en la actividad forense, con frecuencia es necesaria la realización de entrevistas que permitan obtener de información veraz y fiable, con el fin de adoptar conductas consecuentes; sin embargo, en muchas ocasiones se encuentra a un sujeto entrevistado que puede ganar algo respecto de la conducta que va a seguir, según la información que brinde, y tenderá a manipular la información que entrega o a engañar de manera deliberada. Hay entrevistadores que, por su trabajo y experticia, son capaces de reconocer los indicadores de engaño; pero no todos lo hacen. En esta revisión se describen algunas claves que pueden facilitar el ejercicio profesional a aquellos quienes en su práctica se ven enfrentados a la manipulación de información o a la simulación de trastornos mentales.

Both in everyday clinical practice and forensic settings, mental health professionals have to conduct interviews to obtain reliable and valid information in order to make decisions and take measures. However, sometimes, professionals are faced with subjects who may try to find some benefit from the interview by manipulating the data provided and deliberately deceiving the rater. Certain raters, given their experience and expertise, are able to detect these deceit markers or signs, but others are not. This paper offers a reviews of some key factors that may be helpful for those professionals who are confronted with information manipulation as well as mental disorders malingering.

[Assessment of dynamic violent behavior risk factors]. / Evaluación de factores dinámicos de riesgo de violencia.

Dynamic violent behavior risk factors have special significance since they constitute the main target for preventive intervention. Different dynamic factors as well as violent recidivism were assessed with, among other instruments, the environmental risk (Risk Management) section of the Argentinean version of the HCR-20 in 25 parolees from the Province of Buenos Aires Penitentiary System. Among other findings, the prevalence of the risk factors linked to substance abuse and socioeconomic deprivation, and the heterogeneous perception of the official institutions are very significant. Exposure to destabilizers was the factor most associated with violent recidivism.

Latin American aspects of refusal to undergo court-ordered forensic psychiatric examination.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Forensic psychiatric examinations have gained increasing importance in many areas of the law. When individuals refuse to undergo court-ordered examinations of this kind, experts have to solve the tension between ethical and technical problems and judicial requirements. The purpose of this review is to obtain research information and standards related to refusal to undergo court-ordered forensic psychiatric examinations. RECENT FINDINGS: In Latin American countries, the literature on this subject is limited. The dominant position is that court-ordered examinations should be conducted even when the individual refuses to undergo examination, following technical and ethical considerations. SUMMARY: Experts should consider the mental competency of individuals and whether they pose a danger to themselves or others. In cases when the defendant refuses to undergo a court-ordered psychiatric examination, the expert, in collaboration with the judge, should decide upon an appropriate and reasonable means to conduct such an evaluation.