Korean J Leg Med.  2012 May;36(1):68-73. 10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.68.

Legal Features of Mental Disorders among Sexual Offenders without Paraphilia

• Shin SH
• Ryu MK
• Kim SB
• Lee JY
• Lee MJ
• Kim DY

• KMID: 2250321
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.1.68

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the legal features of sexual offenders with mental disorders without paraphilia. Patients admitted to Korea Forensic Hospital from 1994 to 2012 (n = 193) were reviewed for diagnosis, crime, legal responsibility, readmission (number of admissions), hospitalizations, criminal record, and education level. Psychotic subjects were often declared not guilty because of insanity and avoided legal responsibility, but had long admission periods and fewer criminal records. Mentally retarded subjects also had long admission periods and fewer criminal records, but commited more sexual offenses against victims aged 13 and younger. The substance abuse group had extensive criminal records, shorter admission periods, and frequent admissions. Subjects with personality disorders and others committed relatively more violent crime with injuries, rather than simple sexual offenses. Treatment and social concerns suitable to each diagnosis are required to address sexual offenses associated with diverse legal characteristics.

Keyword

sex offender; mental disorder; legal features; forensic hospital

MeSH Terms

Aged
Crime
Criminals
Hospitalization
Humans
Korea
Mental Disorders
Mentally Disabled Persons
Paraphilic Disorders
Personality Disorders
Substance-Related Disorders

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