Objective: Forensic psychiatry is an intersection where the fields of law
and psychiatry perform joint functions. It is observed that children and
adolescents are involved in forensic cases at significant rates both in our
country and globally. This study aims to explore the differences between
children drawn into crime and victims, as well as the factors influencing
recidivism, by evaluating forensic cases over a three-year period.
Method: This study evaluated the records of 232 patients, who met the
study criteria and had detailed data, from a total of 257 forensic cases
seen at the child psychiatry clinic between October 2020 and October
2023.
Results: Regression analysis was conducted to identify factors most
strongly associated with recidivism. The following variables were
found to be significantly related to repeat offending, independent of
other factors: parental separation (b=1.607, Exp (b)=4.988, p=0.005),
presence of drug use (b=2.255, Exp (b)=9.536, p=0.009), and a history
of crime among first-degree relatives (b=3.279, Exp (b)=26.551,
p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in psychiatric
diagnoses between children with repeat offenses and those undergoing
their initial forensic evaluations.
Conclusion: Drug use, a history of crime in first-degree relatives,
and parental separation were significant factors in the occurrence and
continuation of criminal behavior. To address child crime—a pressing
social issue—it is essential to investigate the factors contributing to
recidivism. Future research should focus on larger, long-term studies
that incorporate diverse cultural and regional characteristics to develop
more effective prevention and intervention strategies.
Keywords: Juvenile Delinquency, Forensic Psychiatry, Substance Abuse,
Criminal Behavior